And if she would , she is too old for you . Now , do n't you hang around her any longer . '' `` I will , '' said Lawrence flatly . `` I do n't care what anybody says . You need n't worry over me . I can take care of myself . '' Mrs. Eastman looked blankly at her son . He had never defied or disobeyed her in his life before . She had supposed her word would be law . Rebellion was something she had not dreamed of . Her lips tightened ominously and her eyes narrowed . `` You 're a bigger fool than I took you for , '' she said in a voice that trembled with anger . `` Bessy Houghton laughs at you everywhere . She knows you 're just after her money , and she makes fun -- '' `` Prove it , '' interrupted Lawrence undauntedly , `` I 'm not going to put any faith in Lynnfield gossip . Prove it if you can . '' `` I can prove it . Maggie Hatfield told me what Bessy Houghton said to her about you . She said you were a lovesick fool , and she only went with you for a little amusement , and that if you thought you had nothing to do but marry her and hang up your hat there you 'd find yourself vastly mistaken . '' Possibly in her calmer moments Mrs. Eastman might have shrunk from such a deliberate falsehood , although it was said of her in Lynnfield that she was not one to stick at a lie when the truth would not serve her purpose . Moreover , she felt quite sure that Lawrence would never ask Maggie Hatfield anything about it .
Lawrence turned white XXXXX the lips , `` Is that true , Mother ? ''
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