"I have been burning some papers, if it imports you to know," replied Jack, not altogether pleased with the tone Anne assumed.
"Jack, have you destroyed your vile, heretical books?"
"I have no vile, heretical books, Sister Anne; therefore I have no opportunity to destroy them. Let me ask you in turn, since questions are the fashion, what has brought you to my room at this time of night?"
"It is, indeed, a time of night for all honest folks to be abed, unless they watch, as a duty," said Anne; "but if I had been inclined to sleep, I could not do so. What were you and my father talking about, so long?"
"You had better ask my father, if you desire to know," replied Jack. "If he sees fit to tell you his business, I can have no objection, but I do not think he would thank me for repeating it."
Anne stood silent, a moment. Then she said, "Jack, where has Sister Barbara gone?"
"She has gone to her friends, as she told you."
"That is not answering my question. I ask you to whither she has gone."
"And I reply, Sister Anne, that even if I knew, I would not tell you."
"You mean to say that I am not to be trusted."