The silence,
under his heavy gaze, was intolerable.
All day she worked, and only once did Herman lose sight of her.
That was when he took a ladder, and outside the house nailed all
the upper windows shut. He did it with German thoroughness,
hammering deliberately, placing his nails carefully. After that
he went to the corner grocery, but before he went he spoke the
first words of the day.
"You will go to your room."
She went, and he locked her in. She knew then that she was a
prisoner. When he was at the mill at night, while he slept during
the day, she was to be locked up in her stuffy, airless room. When
he was about she would do the housework, always under his silent,
contemptuous gaze.
She made one appeal to him, and only one, and that was to his
cupidity.
"I've been sick, but I'm able to work now, father."
He paid no attention to her.
"If you lock me up and don't let me work," she persisted, "you'll
only be cutting off your nose to spite your face. I make good money,
and you know it.
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