“I cannot believe it, Mrs Barclay,” she said at last. “It is too terrible. My poor sister would never be so base.”
“Go at once, my dear. Stand no nonsense with the little thing. I’ll settle it all with my Jo-si-ah. You bring her here.”
Claire was white as ashes now, as she caught Mrs Barclay’s hands and kissed them.
“No, no, my dear; not my hands. There, go, and heaven bless you. We’ll help you through it, never fear.”
She folded Claire in her arms for a moment, and then hurried with her downstairs, and let her out.
“One moment, my dear,” she whispered, detaining her, to thrust her purse in her hand. “Stop for nothing. Bring her here; drag her if she says she will not come. Say anything, but bring her here.”
“Ah!” sighed Mrs Barclay, as she watched Claire disappear down the street, and then closed the door. “Now for Jo-si-ah.”