“Burnt to the ground, dearie—burnt to a tinder, is the farm: so Sam, our carter, says; and ’twas done by some idle boys lighting a bonfire of dry furze near.” This was her report when she returned to the kitchen.
Then they heard the master and Mr. Barlow come in, and the housekeeper went to carry them in supper. Ten o’clock, and they were [p49] going out again, Inna heard them say. The little girl now stole out herself to the back gates; there, in the shadow of the wall, she saw a moving shadow.
“Oscar!” She spoke his name; and Oscar stepped out into the moonlight beside her.
“Where have you been?” she ventured.
“Where I like.”
“Yes; but have you seen the fire?”
“Yes, I suppose I have.”
“Did you—did you have——”
“Did I have a hand in setting it alight? Ah yes! there you go—you’re all alike.”
“No, Oscar; no, but——” her small hands were clinging to his arm.