“The prisoners from this place were sentenced to-day.”
“Humph!”
“They shall die there, the nineteenth of June next.” Banks did not feel it at all necessary to soften his words, as he seemed to be addressing a stone wall.
“Humph!” The third growl sounded gruffer than the rest.
“And Mistress Benden said to Nichol Pardue—‘Then shall we keep our Trinity octave in Heaven!’”
Mr Benden rose from his chair. Was he moved at last? What was he about to say? Thrusting forth a finger towards the door, he compressed his thanks and lamentations into a word—
“Go!”
John Banks turned away. Why should he stay longer?
“Poor soul!” was what he said, when he found himself again in the kitchen with Mary.
“What, him?” answered Mary rather scornfully.