The clasping of the two hands and the smile on the lips of the student made Tess broaden her own.
"Yep, jerk off yer coat, and eat," ordered she. "Air ye heard about Daddy?"
"Yes." Young hesitated a moment.
"What is it, Professor?" ejaculated Frederick. "Don't keep her in suspense."
"Daddy ain't a-goin' to hang!... He can't!" Her eyes turned to Frederick. "'Cause ye said he couldn't."
The boy flushed to the roots of his hair and glanced at Professor Young. Again she was giving the credit to Graves—credit the lad so little deserved. Frederick felt this, and muttered:
"She doesn't understand yet what you've done, Professor—I'm sorry!"
"They've placed a stay upon your father's execution," explained Young, "that will give us a chance to prove him innocent.... I am positive that he didn't kill the gamekeeper. I went to the prison last week."
"Ye seed him?" asked Tess eagerly, striding close to him. He felt the hot breath against his face and a feeling of longing coursed through his veins.