“‘Be patient, dear boy! There be a deal of undeserved suffering in this world for which there must be compensation somewhere. And after all, Joe, there is many a free emigrant who has suffered and will suffer more than you need to do. And listen to this, Joe. After a year or two, just as soon as I have made money enough to carry us through, I will bring Lil out to you and we will all live out there together, and it will depend only on ourselves, under the Divine Providence, whether we prosper.’
“‘We have not got the commutation yet,’ said Joe, despondently.
“‘But we will get it,’ replied Joseph, confidently.
“At this moment Mr. Rocke entered the cell with the petition in his hand.
“Joseph ceded his chair and took a seat on the foot of the cot.
“After shaking hands with the prisoner, his wife and brother, Mr. Rocke read the petition, and producing a pocket pen and ink-stand, asked for their signatures.
“Joe signed his name first, Lil next, adding naively on the same line: ‘Oh, please, please.’
“Mr. Rocke frowned, smiled, but let it stand.
“Joseph Wyvil then signed his name.
“And then the two men left the cell to go and take the petition around the town, leaving Lil with Joe.