But Minnie would not accompany them. She was firm, and presently regained her self-possession.
“I’ve bided here ever since the day I married him,” she said. “I won’t go now. God sent you both to me this night, for it might have gone hard with me if I’d took this wonnerful shower of blessings all alone; but your gentle hands was ready, Jane; an’ you, Mr Beer—”
“An’ the bottle, my dear.”
“Yes, yes. Come back to me to-morrow.”
“So us will then—to think of you having your breakfast with a black man! Poor Titus! He’ll be so white as t’other be dark. God’s a marvel! Come on, Jane. Leave her alone. She’d rather. But I lay my wife will be peeping through the blind to see him come to-morrow! Trust a woman to do that. Good night, bless your brave heart! ’Tis a glorious reward for all the grief you’ve suffered.”
Mrs Beer kissed Minnie and hugged her, and Mr Beer so far forgot himself as to do the same.
“’Twas the champagne,” he confessed afterwards. “I got above myself with the news. My poetic disposition, Jane. If it had been the Queen of England I should have done the like. To think of the verses to be made out of such a come-along-o’t!”
“I know,” answered Mrs Beer. “But what about Adam Thorpe? Of course he didn’t do it, but the world still thinks he did; and for my part I don’t see anything to make verses about while the rope be still waiting for the poor fellow. Black or white, ’tis all one.”
“But he’s safe, you see! Nobody but us and Mr Vivian and Minnie will know the secret. And you may bet your life Providence didn’t save him to hang him. The Lord’s on his side, whatever betide.”