You come and be with
me in spite of the whole posse of them." "I will try, Mr.
Redmain," she answered, faintly. "But indeed you must let me go
now, else I may be unable to come to-morrow."
"What's the matter?" he asked hurriedly, half lifting his head
with a look of alarm. "There's no knowing," he went on, muttering
to himself, "what may happen in this cursed house."
"Nothing," replied Mary, "but that I have not had anything to eat
since I left home. I feel rather faint."
"They've given you nothing to eat!" cried Mr. Redmain, but in a
tone that seemed rather of satisfaction than displeasure. "Ring--
no, don't."
"Indeed, I would rather not have anything now till I get home,"
said Mary. "I don't feel inclined to eat where I am not welcome."
"Right! right! right!" said Mr. Redmain. "Stick to that. Never
eat where you are not welcome. Go home directly. Only say when
you will come to-morrow."
"I can't very well during the day," answered Mary. "There is so
much to be done, and I have so little help. But, if you should
want me, I would rather shut up the shop than not come."
"There is no need for that! Indeed, I would much rather have you
in the evening. The first of the night is worst of all. It's then
the devils are out.--Look here," he added, after a short pause,
during which Mary, for as unfit as she felt, hesitated to leave
him, "--being in business, you've got a lawyer, I suppose?"
"Yes," she answered.
Pages:
573
574
575
576
577
578
579
580
581
582
583
584
585
586
587
588
589
590
591
592
593
594
595
596
597