Fully convinced that this loyal wife still trusted in her absent husband and was fearful of possible identification, Sir Donald now concludes to learn the whole truth.
Telling Mrs. Dodge that he has news for her, they sit down on a bench at the farther end of the cabin.
Kindly but positively asserting that he knew much more than she about her husband's past life, and could do him much harm, he stated his desire was to help. Some professed friends were Mr. Dodge's enemies, interested in ruining him to shield themselves. These were adroit, and posed as her friends while plotting the ruin of both. It was to save the whole family from deceitful schemes that he now begged her to trust him implicitly, keeping back nothing.
"You owe it to yourself and children to let me know all, that I may help in these troubles."
"Mamma, I dreamed about Brother Benny last night."
Still Mrs. Dodge hesitated.
"Benny reached out his arms and said, 'Come, Sister Nellie!'"
The reserve which Sir Donald's adroit appeals fail to remove yields to that childish clamor, coercive as brooding of halcyon when the wind is still.
How the husband unjustly had been suspected, discharged, and failed to get employment; to what depths of poverty the family had sunk; the fortunate meeting of William Dodge with Pierre Lanier, who had important business and would pay so well; such opportune relief when the family were hungry and destitute; the husband's trip to London and stay in that far-off city; his removal to Bombay, with other incidents previously related at the Paris confession, were told.
Still Mrs. Dodge said nothing about the particular points so vital to Sir Donald.