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Norris, Frank, 1870-1902

"McTeague"

"
During the first months of their married life these nervous relapses of
hers had alternated with brusque outbursts of affection when her only
fear was that her husband's love did not equal her own. Without an
instant's warning, she would clasp him about the neck, rubbing her cheek
against his, murmuring:
"Dear old Mac, I love you so, I love you so. Oh, aren't we happy
together, Mac, just us two and no one else? You love me as much as I
love you, don't you, Mac? Oh, if you shouldn't--if you SHOULDN'T."
But by the middle of the winter Trina's emotions, oscillating at first
from one extreme to another, commenced to settle themselves to an
equilibrium of calmness and placid quietude. Her household duties
began more and more to absorb her attention, for she was an admirable
housekeeper, keeping the little suite in marvellous good order and
regulating the schedule of expenditure with an economy that often
bordered on positive niggardliness. It was a passion with her to save
money. In the bottom of her trunk, in the bedroom, she hid a brass
match-safe that answered the purposes of a savings bank. Each time she
added a quarter or a half dollar to the little store she laughed and
sang with a veritable childish delight; whereas, if the butcher or
milkman compelled her to pay an overcharge she was unhappy for the rest
of the day.


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