“Certainly not.” The woman looked annoyed.
Amy clung to Linda, her whole frame shaking violently.
“She must have been unkind to me before,” she sobbed. “You know I felt that there was something to be afraid of in my past life. Oh, Linda, please keep me till that doctor who is treating me can make me well! I’ll work and repay all you do for me!”
“Of course, we’ll be glad to, Amy, dear,” replied Linda, reassuringly. “Just so long as you’re content to stay!”
“That is impossible,” interrupted Mrs. Fishberry. “I cannot allow it for a minute, and will bring legal proceedings if you try to steal this child! Come, Helen—the taxi’s waited long enough!”
Reluctantly Amy started to obey, when Mike O’Malley stepped forward and held up his hand like a traffic cop.
“Just a minute! Just a minute!” he said.
All eyes turned towards him instantly.
“You spoke of legal proceedings, Mrs. Fishmarket, or whatever your name is—what legal proofs have you that the girl belongs to you?”
The woman winced in surprise, and Amy and Linda looked at Mike with admiration. How clever of him to think of that!