In a hundred petty ways she revenged herself on them . For herself , Eunice bore it patiently ; but it was a different matter when it touched Christopher . Once Electa boxed Christopher 's ears . Eunice , who was knitting by the table , stood up . A resemblance to her mother , never before visible , came out in her face like a brand . She lifted her hand and slapped Electa 's cheek deliberately twice , leaving a dull red mark where she struck . `` If you ever strike my brother again , '' she said , slowly and vindictively , `` I will slap your face every time you do . You have no right to touch him . '' `` My patience , what a fury ! '' said Electa . `` Naomi Holland 'll never be dead as long as you 're alive ! '' She told Charles of the affair and Eunice was severely punished . But Electa never interfered with Christopher again . All the discordant elements in the Holland household could not prevent the children from growing up . It was a consummation which the harrassed Caroline devoutly wished . When Christopher Holland was seventeen he was a man grown -- a big , strapping fellow . His childish beauty had coarsened , but he was thought handsome by many . He took charge of his mother 's farm then , and the brother and sister began their new life together in the long-unoccupied house . There were few regrets on either side when they left Charles Holland 's roof . In her secret heart Eunice felt an unspeakable relief .
Christopher had been `` hard to manage , '' XXXXX his uncle said , in the last year .
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