Not all the years of bondage to ill-temper and misguided will had been able to blot out the beauty of that proud , dark face . She lifted one large but shapely brown hand and pointed to the gate . `` Go ! '' she said threateningly . `` Mrs. Palmer , '' began Telford , but she silenced him with an imperious gesture . `` I do n't want any of your kind here . I hate all you ministers . Did you come here to lecture me ? I suppose some of the Corner saints set you on me . You 'll never cross my threshold . '' Telford returned her defiant gaze unflinchingly . His dark-blue eyes , magnetic in their power and sweetness , looked gravely , questioningly , into Min 's stormy orbs . Slowly the fire and anger faded out of her face and her head drooped . `` I ai n't fit for you to talk to anyway , '' she said with a sort of sullen humility . `` Maybe you mean well but you ca n't do me any good . I 'm past that now . The Corner saints say I 'm possessed of the devil . Perhaps I am -- if there is one . '' `` I do mean well , '' said Telford slowly . `` I did not come here to reprove you .
I came to help you if I could -- if you needed help , Mrs. XXXXX -- '' `` Do n't call me that , '' she interrupted passionately .
Min Palmer Telford blot fire head ill-temper orbs power saints