“What shall we do with her? I hate to turn her out again, but I suppose we will be compelled to.”
“Inasmuch as ye did it unto the least of these ye did it unto me,” said Mr. Platts, in a low voice. “Let her stay until morning at all events.”
“Why, to be sure she can sleep in the little bedroom off the kitchen, and I can go upstairs for to-night,” said Mary. “I think she will be all right if she has a bath, and she can wear some of my clothes, if they are too large.”
Mary’s heart was touched at the sight of Zula’s tears, but the keenest pity filled her heart when she saw the purple marks made by the lash across the tapering shoulders.
“Why, child,” she said, “what is this?”
“How came these long black marks on you shoulders?”
“Won’t you never tell if I’ll tell you?”
“No.”
“Sure? ’Cause if they’d find me they’d kill me.”