“Papa, he has said you haven’t a situation in your gift that he’d take; and I feel just as hurt as–”

“My darling, is that your papa?”

“Yes; he’s my step-papa, and the dearest one that ever was. You understand now, don’t you, why I was able to laugh 

when you told me at the minister’s, not knowing my relationships, what trouble and worry papa’s and Uncle Abel’s scheme was giving you?”

1)  I feel just as hurt as– 这里怎么理解和翻译？等于  I feel just hurt 吗？

2）and the dearest one that ever was. - 而且是世界上最慈爱的继父。 为什么用was ? - was不是表明过去是最慈爱的，但是暗示着现在不是了？可事实上，现在仍然是最慈爱的。