“Yes, and I told her she had run away. I didn’t know where she was.”
“What did you do it for?”
“I was afraid it was the girl’s mother, and I’d lose Jess, when I need her so much.”
“Oh, you heartless creature! What did the lady say?”
“She cried and took on terrible, but I didn’t let her into the house fer fear she’d see Jess. I happened by good luck to be at the door when she came. She was a grand looking lady, with diamonds in her ears and on her fingers.”
“Was that the last you heard of it?”
“No, they sent for me down to the asylum, and I told ’em the same story. I said Jess had run away.”
“That makes another fraud, Miss Scrimp, for which you could be arrested and punished.”
“Oh, dear me! You’ll not have me arrested for what I tell you, when I only answer the questions you force on me.”
“It depends entirely on yourself now. Treat Jessie kindly, set a good fair table. I ask no luxuries, only that you have enough for all, and you are safe from the arrest which I can and will have made if you break a single promise.”