"Why, there's Mr. O'Neil, just in time for his dinner."
Alva turned her head, feeling cold, and saw there was no sheriff with him. Mrs. Ray could be seen standing out on her back porch, shading her eyes to make out anything visible. Of course Mrs. Ray did not know full particulars, but Josiah Bates had been to Ledge Centre on horseback and had seen the O'Neil mare hitched in front of Mr. Pollock's. The postmistress knew that something was up.
Alva drew a breath of relief. The sheriff had not come back, so they could not be arrested at once. Or else they could not be arrested at all. There seemed to be a hush of suspense in the room, but Mr. O'Neil did not enter to relieve it. Only Mary Cody entered, and Mary Cody's face was as easy to read as a blank book.
"Then you'll go?" Ingram asked again.
Mrs. Lathbun and her daughter rose and went up-stairs, leaving the other three alone.
"Of course she'll go," Alva answered; "go, dear, and get your wraps."
Lassie cast one last appealing look towards her, and then she also left the room.
"Ronald," Alva then said, hurriedly, "Lassie will tell you what has happened here. I feel confident that there is some error in it all, but whatever you think, try to be charitable, merciful. Don't be narrow in your judgment."
"Are you referring to your own affairs?" he asked in surprise.
"I am not the only one who craves mercy," she said, smiling; "there are many others."