Christopher had been `` hard to manage , '' as his uncle said , in the last year . He was getting into the habit of keeping late hours and doubtful company . This always provoked an explosion of wrath from Charles Holland , and the conflicts between him and his nephew were frequent and bitter . For four years after their return home Eunice had a hard and anxious life . Christopher was idle and dissipated . Most people regarded him as a worthless fellow , and his uncle washed his hands of him utterly . Only Eunice never failed him ; she never reproached or railed ; she worked like a slave to keep things together . Eventually her patience prevailed . Christopher , to a great extent , reformed and worked harder . He was never unkind to Eunice , even in his rages . It was not in him to appreciate or return her devotion ; but his tolerant acceptance of it was her solace . When Eunice was twenty-eight , Edward Bell wanted to marry her . He was a plain , middle-aged widower with four children ; but , as Caroline did not fail to remind her , Eunice herself was not for every market , and the former did her best to make the match . She might have succeeded had it not been for Christopher . When he , in spite of Caroline 's skillful management , got an inkling of what was going on , he flew into a true Holland rage . If Eunice married and left him -- he would sell the farm and go to the Devil by way of the Klondike . He could not , and would not , do without her . No arrangement suggested by Caroline availed to pacify him , and , in the end , Eunice refused to marry Edward Bell . She could not leave Christopher , she said simply , and in this she stood rock-firm . Caroline could not budge her an inch .
`` You 're a fool , Eunice , '' she said , when she was obliged to give up XXXXX despair .
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