"Couldn't we shout?"
"I would rather not. You see father wants to stay here," she said hesitatingly.
"You mean if any one came for us they would know we were not alone here?"
"They might suspect. Or they might just happen to see father."
Cora was sorry. She wanted so much to call to the possible passerby, but she saw that the other girl had some very strong motive in wishing to leave the island secretly.
"Do you never go away from here?" she asked.
"Only when I am forced to, as I was the day of the race. He made me race, threatening to expose father if I did not."
"And then he said that you were deaf and dumb," added Cora indignantly.
"I did not mind that at all. In fact it was the easiest way for me to get out of meeting people." Laurel sighed heavily. "I do wonder when our lives will change," she said finally.
"Let us hope very soon," Cora said. "I, of course, do not know your story, but I feel that in some way that man is wronging you."