Clevedon,' she began. He turned back to her, the smile…

““Clevedon,' she began. He turned back to her, the smile fading. 'You may not rake me over the coals,' he said. 'She set out to captivate me, much as her mother did-' 'She's six years old!' 'You both succeeded,' he said. 'What was I to do? She's a little girl. Why should she not have a doll?' 'She has dolls! Does she seem neglected to you? Deprived in any way? She's *my* daughter, and I take care of her. She has nothing to do with you. You've no business buying her dolls. What will Lady Clara think? What do you think your fine friends in the ton will say when they hear you've given my daughter gifts? You know they'll hear of it.' Lucie would show the doll to the seamstresses, naturally, and they'd tell everybody they knew, and word would spread through the ton in no time at all. 'And do you think their speculations will do my business any good?' 'That's all you think about. Your business.' 'It's my life, you great thickhead! This' - she swept her hand to indicate the shop - 'This is how I *earn* my living. Can you not grasp this simple concept? Earning a living?' 'I'm not-' 'This is how I feed and clothe and house and educate my daughter,' she raged on. 'This is how I provide for my sisters. What must I do to make you understand? How can you be so blind, so willfully obtuse, so-' 'You'll make me run mad,' he said. 'Everywhere I turn, there you are.' 'That's monstrous unfair! Everywhere I go, there is your great carcass!””

— Loretta Chase