“Yes, but did you hear it from any one who really knew Joan?”
“No, Mistress, it was from a man who had been over to Holwick.”
“Then how do you know it was true?”
“Oh, Mistress Aline, Mistress Aline,” said the boy, “do you think it might be untrue?”
“I know it was untrue,” she said gently.
For the moment the boy was too overcome to speak. His heart beat violently, his eyes grew round and large. “Oh, tell me, tell me,” he besought.
“I promised that I would bring you back the things you gave to Joan. I cannot do that yet; so I am going to bring you Joan herself. She is here in this place.”
“Here in this place!” he repeated as Aline rose and went to fetch the little girl.
She was back in a minute or two and the boy was still seated in the same attitude, dumbfounded.