Mrs. Pring shook her head, looking exceedingly puzzled, whilst Doris and Molly observed their grandfather with wondering eyes.
"I have reason to believe that such is the case, however," Mr. Renford continued. Then, turning to Molly, he inquired, "Do you remember my forbidding Felicia to go near the common on account of the gipsies being there?"
"Yes, grandfather."
"She has disobeyed me, I find; not only has she been to the common, but she has made friends with the gipsies—knowing them to be thieves, for it has been no secret to her how they have robbed me of rabbits and game."
"Oh, it can't be true!" Molly cried, whilst Doris kept silence and listened to the conversation with a fast beating heart.
"There must be some mistake, father," Mrs. Pring was commencing, when Mr. Renford interrupted her somewhat impatiently—
"My dear Mary, I know what I am talking about, and I do not think there is any mistake. But I will explain and you will be able to judge for yourself. I was crossing the common half-an-hour ago when a young gipsy woman, with a baby in her arms, came out of a caravan and asked me to buy a basket. I refused, and was walking on when she said, 'Sure, gentleman, the pretty little lady, your grand-daughter, would like it, and you shall have it cheap for her sake.' 'Why for her sake?' I asked, rather amused at her wheedling tone. 'Because she's been friendly to the poor gipsies,' was the answer I received, and then she went on to speak of Felicia having carried the baby in her arms and talked so kindly to her little daughter. 'What!' I exclaimed, 'do you mean to tell me she has been here?' 'Yes, certainly,' the woman answered, and I am sure she spoke in all sincerity. 'Did she not tell you, sir?' she asked. 'No,' I replied. She looked quite distressed at that, and begged me not to be angry, and she actually wanted to make me a present of the basket she had offered to sell a few minutes previously. 'Take it and give it to the sweet little lady,' she said, 'and never be angry with her because she has a kind heart.' Of course, I would not have the basket, but I gave the woman a shilling, and came on here to tell you what she had said. What could have taken Felicia to the common except a hankering for low society?"
"I don't believe it's true!" Molly cried hotly. "Felicia would not make friends with people she knew to be dishonest; and I am certain she would not disobey you like that, grandfather."
"Then you never saw her speak to the gipsies, Molly?" asked Mr. Renford.
"Never!"