Ursula swung round, and the lights in her eyes flashed.
'No, I won't,' she cried. 'I won't hold my tongue and be bullied. What
does it matter which day I get married--what does it MATTER! It doesn't
affect anybody but myself.'
Her father was tense and gathered together like a cat about to spring.
'Doesn't it?' he cried, coming nearer to her. She shrank away.
'No, how can it?' she replied, shrinking but stubborn.
'It doesn't matter to ME then, what you do--what becomes of you?' he
cried, in a strange voice like a cry.
The mother and Gudrun stood back as if hypnotised.
'No,' stammered Ursula. Her father was very near to her. 'You only want
to-'
She knew it was dangerous, and she stopped. He was gathered together,
every muscle ready.
'What?' he challenged.
'Bully me,' she muttered, and even as her lips were moving, his hand
had caught her smack at the side of the face and she was sent up
against the door.
'Father!' cried Gudrun in a high voice, 'it is impossible!'
He stood unmoving.
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