“I can certainly do so, Miss Tallant,” he answered. “The boy must of course go back where he belongs. It was most improper of you, if you will permit me to say so, to interfere between him and his master.”
He encountered a look which surprised him. “I do not permit anyone, Lord Bridlington, to tell me that in rescuing a helpless child from the brutality of a monster I am doing what is improper!” said Arabella.
“No, no, my dear, of course not!” hastily interposed Lady Bridlington. “Frederick did not mean—But you see, there is nothing one can do in these sad cases! That is—I am sure Frederick will speak to the man-give him a good fright, you know!”
“Really, Mama—”
“And Jemmy?” demanded Arabella. “What will you do with him?”
His lordship looked distastefully at the candidate for his protection. Jemmy had been well scrubbed, but not the most thorough application of soap and water could turn him into a well-favoured child. He had a sharp little face, a wide mouth, from which a front tooth was missing, and a very snub nose. His short, ragged hair was perfectly straight, and his ears showed a tendency to stick out from his head.
“I do not know what you expect me to do!” said his lordship fretfully. “If you had any knowledge of the laws governing apprentices, my dear Miss Tallant, you would know that it is quite impossible to steal this boy away from his master!”
“When the master of an apprentice misuses a boy as this child has been misused,” retorted Papa’s daughter, “he renders himself liable to prosecution! What is more, this man knows it, and I assure you he does not expect to have Jemmy returned to him!”
“I suppose you think I should adopt the boy!” said Frederick, goaded.
“No, I do not think that,” replied Arabella, her voice a little unsteady. “I only think that you might—show some compassion for one so wretchedly circumstanced!”