They settled themselves accordingly, Will being highly delighted at his promotion.
“Well, I reckon you are not sorry to be forth of that place?” suggested Mr Ewring.
“Oh, so glad!” said Cissy, under her breath.
“And how hath Will stood out?” was the next question, which produced profound silence for a few seconds. Then Will broke forth.
“I haven’t, Master Ewring—at least, it’s Cissy’s doing, and she’s had hard work to make me stick. I should have given up ever so many times if she’d have let me. I didn’t think I could stand it much longer, and it was only last night I told her so, and she begged and prayed me to hold on.”
“That’s an honest lad,” said Mr Ewring.
“And that’s a dear maid,” added Dorothy.
“Then Cissy stood out, did she?”
“Cissy! eh, they’d never have got her to kneel down to their ugly images, not if they’d cut her head off for it. She’s just like a stone wall. Nell did, till Cissy got hold of her and told her not; but she didn’t know what it meant, so I hope it wasn’t wicked. You see, she’s so little, and she forgets what is said to her.”
“Ay, ay; poor little dear!” said Dorothy. “And what did they to you, my poor dears, when you wouldn’t?”