And bravely the poor little bound girl told the whole story, even as we already know it.
“The cowardly, meddling, contemptible wretch!” was a very natural ejaculation, and it came from Hattie’s lips.
But when she read the brief letter, and saw that neither place, date, address nor signature was inside, a gleam of satisfaction took place of the shadow on her face.
“Miss Scrimp has gained nothing by her audacious act,” she said. “But it is necessary that I should teach her a lesson. I will write a note to her, which you will take down to her. Leave it on her table, and instantly go to your own room. If I need you I will call you.”
“And you will not let her whip me, will you, Miss Hattie?”
“No, Jessie. If she but offers to raise a finger to you, or speaks even an unkind word to you for what you have done for me, I will send her to prison for what she has done. Have no fear, my poor little dear. I will protect you, and see that hereafter you are better treated than you have ever been before in this house. And soon you shall tell me all you know about yourself, as you promised me once you would, and perhaps if you have parents living I can help you to find them.”
“Oh, Miss Hattie if ever there was an angel on earth you’re that one,” said Jessie, trembling all over with joy.
Hattie turned to her table, and wrote in a plain, but elegant hand, these words on a slip of paper:
“Miss Hattie Butler desires to see Miss Scrimp in her room up stairs immediately on very important business.”
“Now take the cake I got for you, and put it in your pocket to eat when you get to your own room, and then take this note and lay it on Miss Scrimp’s table, and come right away before she can call you back to question you,” said Hattie.