Helen could not gainsay her father’s words. She could not conceive of any evil purpose on the part of Mr. Sharp; yet, somehow, an unaccountable sense of anxiety and apprehension of coming evil, in connection with this loan, would force itself upon her mind.
“Perhaps,” said Mr. Ford, with a sudden thought, “you may need something that I can buy you,—some article of dress, or perhaps you may require an additional sum for the purchase of our daily necessaries. I am so much occupied in other ways that I do not always think of these things.”
“No, papa,” said Helen, hurriedly. “I do not need anything.”
Then, yielding to an uncontrollable impulse, she exclaimed, “Dear papa, do not use any of this money. Pray, return it to this man, and tell him you do not need it.”
“But it will be very useful to me, Helen. Besides, it would be a very uncivil way of meeting such a generous offer. You are a foolish child. What has put this fancy into your head?”
“I don’t know,” said Helen, slowly; “but I feel as if this money may do us some harm.”
“What possible harm can come of it?” asked Mr. Ford, surprised at the child’s earnestness.
“I do not like to think that you are in anybody’s power, papa.”
“We are all in the power of God, my child.”
“I did not mean that, papa.”