‘Then come back by all means, my love.’
‘I shall be very quiet, father.’
‘Don’t think of me, my dear,’ he said, giving her his kind permission fully. ‘Come back by all means.’
He seemed to be dozing when she returned, and she put the low fire together very softly lest she should awake him. But he overheard her, and called out who was that?
‘Only Amy, father.’
‘Amy, my child, come here. I want to say a word to you.’
He raised himself a little in his low bed, as she kneeled beside it to bring her face near him; and put his hand between hers. O! Both the private father and the Father of the Marshalsea were strong within him then.
‘My love, you have had a life of hardship here. No companions, no recreations, many cares I am afraid?’
‘Don’t think of that, dear. I never do.’
‘You know my position, Amy. I have not been able to do much for you; but all I have been able to do, I have done.’