“But what shall I do?” sobbed little Sally Wimble. “My Jem hadn’t done anything. Oh, please, sir, fetch him back.”
“Your husband has taken his own road, my good woman,” said Uncle Josiah coldly, “and he must suffer for it.”
“But what’s to become of me, sir? What shall I do without a husband?”
“Go back home and wait.”
“But I have no home, sir, now,” sobbed Sally. “You’ll want the cottage for some other man.”
“Go back home and wait.”
“But you’ll try and fetch him back, sir?”
“I don’t know what I shall do yet,” said the old man sternly. “I’m afraid I do not know the worst. There, go away now. Who’s that?”
There was a general excitement, for a loud knock was heard at the door.
Jessie came in directly after, looking round eyed and staring.