Libba's bitter hatred was shutting everyone out --- even Daniel

As Libba turned her back and isolated herself, Daniel pounded his fist against his thigh. Frustrated, he flung out, "Don*t be foolish, Libba."

Don*t call me foolish!" Wringing her hands, she cried out in misery. "I hate Sherman, and oh, Daniel, I know it is heretical, but I hate my father!"

"But don*t hate me! .. . Don*t shut me out." He held out his arms. "Let me love you!"

She could hear a sharp edge in his voice warning her that even Daniel Marshall*s infinite patience was wearing thin, but she eluded his reaching arms.

"I can*t forgive my father for not loving me. What—oh, Daniel, what if we had a child, and I couldn't love it? You can*t marry me. I*m only half a person!"

"Nonsense. Oh, Libba, think! Think about the love you and Nannie shared. You've had a tragic experience, but many people have suffered. God did not promise that we would not suffer, but that He could turn the suffering to— don*t run away from me," he pleaded, hurting as badly as she.

"Libba," he called after her as she plunged up the stone steps. "Don*t keep running in the wrong direction!"