The Freda and Daffy stole forward softly, hand in hand.
"You don't mind us coming to see you, Michael, do you?" said Freda. "You see, Daffy and me and Dreamikins are all very sorry for you, and we wanted to bring you some chocs; but Fibo said it wouldn't be allowed. Are they very cruel to you in prison?"
He shook his head. Daffy patted him on the arm caressingly.
"We've been talking about you every day, and it's Fibo who's got us in to see you. Your mother wants to come, and they won't let her. Would you like to send a message to her, Michael? We'll take it."
"Tell her I'll be honest when I comes out," said Michael gruffly.
Daffy nodded, and Freda said:
"We would have come long ago if we could, for it's the one thing God likes people to do, only grown-up people don't seem to believe it. I suppose God is very fond of any one in prison. He tells us we must go and see prisoners, and so we've come. Good-bye, Michael. And, do you know, we've come in the pony-carriage."
"And Shylock is outside," said Daffy; "wouldn't you like to have seen him? Wouldn't it have been funny if he had come after us, and poked his head inside the door to see you?"
She laughed gleefully, and Michael smiled. Then they were called away, and Fibo stepped forward.
"Your chaplain has allowed this visit, Michael, otherwise we could not have come. It is very good of him to have managed it for us. This is a sad pull-up to you, my boy; but be a good lad, and make a fresh start when you come out, and I'll see what I can do for you."