“The good Lord would look to the child,” said Haldane unexpectedly. “He is either safe with Him, or He will tell you some day what has become of Him.”
“You’re a queer witch!” said Stephen, looking at her with some surprise.
“I’m not a witch at all. I’m only a harmless old woman who deals in herbs and such like, but folks make me out worse than I am. And when every body looks on you as black, it’s not so easy to keep white. If others shrink from naming God to you, you get to be shy of it too. Men and women have more influence over each other than they think. For years and years I’ve felt as if my soul was locked up in the dark, and could not get out: but this girl, that I took in because she needed bodily help, has given me better help than ever I gave her—she has unlocked the door, and let the light in on my poor smothered soul. Now, young man, if you’ll take an old woman’s counsel—old women are mostly despised, but they know a thing or two, for all that—you’ll just let the maid alone a while. She couldn’t be safer than she is here; and she’d best not venture forth of the doors till her hurts are healed, and the noise and talk has died away. Do you love her well enough to deny yourself for her good? That’s the test of real love, and there are not many who will stand it.”
“Tell me what you would have me do, and I’ll see,” answered Stephen with a smile.
“Can you stay away for a month or two?”
“Well, that’s ill hearing. But I reckon I can, if it is to do any good to Ermine.”
“If you keep coming here,” resumed the shrewd old woman, “folks will begin to ask why. And if they find out why, it won’t be good for you or Ermine either. Go home and look after your usual business, and be as like your usual self as you can. The talk will soon be silenced if no fuel be put to it. And don’t tell your own mother what you have found.”
“I’ve no temptation to do that,” answered Stephen gravely. “My mother has been under the mould this many a year.”
“Well, beware of any friend who tries to ferret it out of you—ay, and of the friends who don’t try. Sometimes they are the more treacherous of the two. Let me know where you live, and if you are wanted I will send for you. Do you see this ball of grey wool? If any person puts that into your hand, whenever and however, come here as quick as you can. Till then, keep away.”
“Good lack! But you won’t keep me long away?”