Therese hesitated a minute, and then took courage:
"Miss Kitty has given me a French Testament, and I promised her I would read a little every night. May I read to you?"
"Yes, child, if you like."
Therese read the parable of the sower, and then prepared for bed.
"I will come before long," said her mother. "Sleep sound, and don't mind if you hear me moving about."
Therese did sleep sound, but some time in the night she thought or dreamed that she heard people talking in subdued tones, and that some one said rather roughly,—
"Nonsense! I must have the money, and she can get more. You can make excuses enough."
Presently she was waked by some sound like the closing of a door, and by her mother coming to bed.
"Are you not very late?" she asked, rubbing her eyes.
"Rather; my work took more time than I thought. There! Go to sleep again."