Was this really, then, the reason why her mother had expressed such a keen desire to got. It seemed like it, and this explained a great deal; for as Hazel studied her appearance more, it became evident to her that the poor woman was in a state of intense nervous trepidation, and that she hardly dare meet her daughter’s eye.
“Mother,” said Hazel at length, “the churchwarden will be here to-morrow, asking me for this money. What am I to say?”
“Say nothing, you foolish child! Pay him out of some other money.”
“You know, mother, that I have no other money whatever.”
“Then tell him to wait, like any other trades-person. He is only a common man. Such people as these must take their money when they can get it.”
“Are you wilfully blinding yourself to the fact, mother, that we have committed a theft in using this money?”
“My dear, absurd child—”
“That it is as great a trouble as that from the consequences of which poor, foolish Percy has just been rescued by Mr Burge?”
“Then go to Mr Burge, Hazel, and tell him that you were obliged to use the money because the salary is so small. He will give you the amount directly, my dear;” and she nodded and smiled as she eagerly reiterated her advice.
“Mother, mother, what are you thinking of?”