"I never had a father and mother to love me," said Elfie. "I never had anybody but you, Susie."
"Never mind; I'll be your sister, and love you," said Susie.
"And then, perhaps, by-and-by I shall understand about God's love," whispered Elfie, as she laid her head Susie's shoulder.
[CHAPTER VI.]
WILL SHE CONQUER?
AFTER Elfie and Susie had been kept some hours in the dull, gloomy prison cell, a policeman came and took them into another part of the building, where a magistrate was sitting, and the policeman stated why Elfie had been taken up. He had not seen her take the boots himself, however, and the man to whom they belonged said he did not wish to send the child to prison; and so the magistrate, warning her that if ever she was taken up again, she would not get off so easily, let her go. Against Susie there was no charge, and so the two were allowed to leave together, the policeman telling them never to steal any more, or they would be sent to prison for a month.
"Susie never did steal," said Elfie, indignantly turning round upon the man as she spoke.
"Hush, Elfie, never mind," whispered Susie, who was anxious to get away now.
"But I shall mind. You never did steal in your life, and it's a shame to say you did," retorted Elfie.
"But don't you see I was with you, and so I mustn't mind what they say," replied Susie.