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 to the lips , `` Is that true , Mother ? '' he asked huskily . `` I 've warned you , '' replied his mother , not choosing to repeat her statement . `` If you go after Bessy any more you can take the consequences . '' She drew her shawl about her pale , malicious face and left him with a parting glance of contempt . `` I guess that 'll settle him , '' she thought grimly . `` Bessy Houghton turned up her nose at George , but she sha n't make a fool of Lawrence too . ''
Alone in the stable Lawrence stood staring out at the dull red ball of the winter sun XXXXX unseeing eyes .
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