“You had a close call, Mrs. O’Dowd!” exclaimed the Captain, earnestly. “I don’t know as he could have put me in limbo for harboring you, but he could have made it go hard with me for hiding the children. I hate a law-breaker; but what is a fellow to do in such a case?”
“God has been merciful to me, Squire. I felt all along that I would get away safe and sound.”
“Wouldn’t God have done a better job to have saved you in the first place?” asked the Captain, dryly.
“How did you get money to pay your travelling expenses?” asked Mary.
“I’ve a confession to make to you and Mrs. Ranger, Captain. Will you promise not to scold?”
“I’ll know better what to promise after I’ve learned the provocation. Don’t be afraid to tell the truth. Speak out. Don’t mind the gals.”
“I stole three hundred dollars—it was my own money—from Mother O’Dowd,” she whispered. “It didn’t seem so very wicked. She got my home without any equivalent, you know.”
“Oh, Sally! How could you?” asked Mrs. Ranger, her cheeks blanching.
“Do you think it was wicked to take my own money and my own children, when I had the opportunity?”