Put it up on the shelf here , where it wo n't shine in my eyes . And then sit down on the foot of the bed where I can see you . I 've got something to say to you . '' Eunice obeyed her noiselessly . As the pallid light shot up , it revealed the child plainly . She was thin and ill-formed -- one shoulder being slightly higher than the other . She was dark , like her mother , but her features were irregular , and her hair fell in straggling , dim locks about her face . Her eyes were a dark brown , and over one was the slanting red scar of a birth mark . Naomi Holland looked at her with the contempt she had never made any pretense of concealing . The girl was bone of her bone and flesh of her flesh , but she had never loved her ; all the mother love in her had been lavished on her son . When Eunice had placed the candle on the shelf and drawn down the ugly blue paper blinds , shutting out the strips of violet sky where a score of glimmering points were now visible , she sat down on the foot of the bed , facing her mother . `` The door is shut , is it , Eunice ? '' Eunice nodded . `` Because I do n't want Car ` line or any one else peeking and harking to what I 've got to say . She 's out milking now , and I must make the most of the chance . Eunice , I 'm going to die , and ... '' `` Ma ! '' `` There now , no taking on ! You knew it had to come sometime soon . I have n't the strength to talk much , so I want you just to be quiet and listen . I ai n't feeling any pain now , so I can think and talk pretty clear .
Are you listening , XXXXX ? ''
Eunice Holland contempt features flesh girl scar shelf something strength