“What nonsense! he said I was to come and see him as soon as ever I could.”
“And you can’t go and see him. He wouldn’t advise you to go out while those ruffians are yonder.”
“No,” replied the girl, smiling frankly. “He said I must wait till the wasps’ nest had been burned out, and I suppose he meant the cave where those men are. Oh, I wish I were a man, and could go and fight the wretches. They’ve been robbing and frightening people in all directions. They even went last night and frightened old Mistress Garth, Nick’s mother, and took away her bag of meal.”
“They did that!” cried Ralph angrily. “How do you know?”
“Nick told me, and he says he means to kill the captain first time they meet.”
“Nick says so?”
“Yes; but I suppose it’s only boasting. I don’t think he’s very brave, is he?”
“Don’t know,” said Ralph thoughtfully. “But it’s quite time something was done.”
“And it was so funny, Ralph,” continued the girl; “he actually said to me that he didn’t care a bit for his mother, for she has the worst temper of any one he knows, and is always scolding when he goes to see her; but he won’t have any one interfere with her, and he’ll kill that captain for stealing the meal-bag as sure as he’s alive.”
“Well, it shows he’s a good son,” said Ralph quietly. “But you see that it is not safe for you to go out.”