"Thomas," whispered Lucy, for they were following behind, "you must tell her the good news. It will help her over her prejudice against you. Old people are hard to change, you know."
"Mrs. Boxall," said Thomas, going up to her, "this house is your own."
"Go away," returned Mrs. Boxall, energetically. "Isn't it enough that you have robbed me? Will you offer me my own in charity."
"Do listen to me, grannie," pleaded Thomas.
"I will not listen to you. Call a cab, Lucy. We'll drive to the nearest work-house."
Lucy saw it was time to interfere.
"What Thomas says is true, grannie, if you would only listen so him. Every thing's changed. Thomas has been over the seas to find a man who was in uncle's ship when it went down. He has given such evidence that the property is yours now."
"I don't care; it's all a trick. I don't believe he went over the seas. I won't take any thing from the villain's hand."
"Villains don't usually plot to give away what they've got," said Lucy.