“I do not think it likely they could be so wicked,” said my father.
“So I’m to be the only wicked person in the world! Very well, sir! I will leave the house this very day.”
“No, no, Mrs. Mitchell; that won’t do. One party or the other is very wicked—that is clear; and it is of the greatest consequence to me to find out which. If you go, I shall know it is you, and have you taken up and tried for stealing. Meantime I shall go the round of the parish. I do not think all the poor people will have combined to lie against you.”
“They all hate me,” said the Kelpie.
“And why?” asked my father.
She made no answer.
“I must get at the truth of it,” said my father. “You can go now.”
She left the room without another word, and my father turned to Turkey.
“I am surprised at you, Turkey, lending yourself to such silly pranks. Why did you not come and tell me.”
“I am very sorry, sir. I was afraid you would be troubled at finding how wicked she was, and I thought we might frighten her away somehow. But Ranald began his tricks without letting me know, and then I saw that mine could be of no use, for she would suspect them after his. Mine would have been better, sir.”