Ishmael turned his beautiful eyes upon this little champion of six summers, and smiling upon her, said gently:
"I did not come here to make anybody cry, my dear; I came to do your teacher a service."
The child met his glance with a searching look, such as only babes can give, and turned and went back and reported to her companions.
"He's good; he won't hurt anybody."
Mrs. Walsh having sobbed herself into quietness, wiped her eyes, looked up and said:
"Well, sir, why don't you proceed with your business? Why don't you serve your writ?"
"My dear madam, it is not my business to serve writs. And if it was I have none to serve," said Ishmael very gently.
She looked at him in doubt.
"You have mistaken my errand here, madam. I am not retained on the other side; I have nothing whatever to do with the other side. I have heard your story; my sympathies are with you; and I have come here to offer you my professional services," said Ishmael gravely.
She looked at him earnestly, as if she would read his soul. The woman of thirty was not so quick at reading character as the little child of six had been.