“Not sending you, just allowing you to go before it is too late. I may get into trouble for warning you but I don’t care. I cannot see you put behind bars.” Mrs. Leslie wept afresh.
CHAPTER XI
MRS. LESLIE WON TO THE CAUSE
“No doubt I deserve it,” said Josie solemnly.
“Even if you do I cannot bear to think of your being there and, although it is not quite honorable of me to do so, I am going to assist you to run away. Honor isn’t everything. A woman must be human first and a human being could not stand by and see a poor young thing like you branded as a criminal with a terrible jail sentence staring you in the face.”
“But, my dear lady, I have not confessed to being a real criminal—only not quite honest in that—”
“But there is no line to draw where honesty is concerned. That is what you shall have to learn. One is either honest or dishonest—but you are so young—”
“But, Mrs. Leslie, what do you and Mary think I have done?”
“Not me!” cried Mary. “I am sure of you, Josie. I simply know you have done nothing wrong.”
“Thank you, Mary! Then what does your mother think I have done?”