Tess found him waiting at the shanty door for her one afternoon after returning from town. She smiled a welcome as she recognized her visitor.
"It air about Daddy ye comed," she said, lifting the padlock from the staple.
"Yes, child, I wanted to tell you of some new friends your father has made in Ithaca—strong friends to aid him."
"Friends," echoed Tess wonderingly. "Daddy Skinner had fishermen for his friends—and not people of Ithacy—come in," she added. The fire crackled on the hearth and Tess sat down to listen with open lips.
"I can't explain just how this came about," said Young, "but some of the people who were in the court-room the day your father was convicted have risen to befriend him."
Professor Young did not add that he himself had urged that money should be raised for a second defense.
"So last night," he went on, "there was a meeting of several prominent men and money has been placed in my hands for another trial for your father."
Tess tried to understand the long words, and blinked knowingly. The import of it was plain. Daddy was coming back—but how soon?
"When air he comin' home, then?" she demanded.