"He has not broken his vow, father. Oh, father, what a wicked thing you have done; you and that master to whom you have given your life. Now let me think."
"You won't send me to prison, Esther?"
"No, no. Sit down. I must think things out. Even now I don't know clearly about Mr. Wyndham; you have only treated me to half-confidences. Stay, though, I don't wish to hear more. You mustn't go to prison. Mr. Wyndham mustn't starve. I have it. Mr. Wyndham shall come here."
"Esther!"
Poor old Helps uttered a shriek, which caused Cherry to turn uneasily on her pillow.
"Keep yourself quiet, father. I'm a determined woman, and this thing shall be. Mr. Wyndham shall eat of our bread, and we will shelter him; and I—I, Esther Helps—will undertake to guard his secret and yours. No one living shall guess who he is."
"You forget—oh, this is an awful thing to do. You forget—there's Cherry."
"I'll blind Cherry. If I can't, she must go. I shall bring Mr. Wyndham home to-morrow night!"
"Esther, this will kill me."
"No, it won't. On the contrary, you'll be a better and a happier man. You wouldn't have him starve, when through him you have your liberty? I'm ashamed of you."