Is it true ? '' `` His brother declares it is . '' `` Well , then , I 'll help you all I can . I like you , Mr. Douglas , and I happen to be fond of Lynde , too -- though you may n't believe it . I 'm fond of her for her mother 's sake and I 'd like to see her happy . I did n't want to give her to Harmon that time three years ago but I could n't help myself . He had the upper hand , curse him . It was n't for my own sake , though -- it was for my wife 's . However , that 's all over and done with and I 'll do the best I can to atone for it . So you wo n't marry your minister because your father was not a good man , Lynde ? Well , I do n't suppose he was a very good man -- a man who makes his wife 's life a hell , even in a refined way , is n't exactly a saint , to my way of thinking . But that 's the worst that could be said of him and it does n't entail any indelible disgrace on his family , I suppose . I am not your father , Lynde . '' `` Not my father ? '' Lynde echoed the words blankly . `` No . Your father was your mother 's first husband . She never told you of him . When I said he made her life a hell , I said the truth , no more , no less . I had loved your mother ever since I was a boy , Lynde .
But she was far above me in station and I never dreamed it was possible XXXXX win her love .
So because for of on over since though to with