Helka looked about her uneasily. "What shall we do first?"
"When it is very dark, and all are in bed, I will fasten the rope to the big nail that Lena fetched. Then I shall try it from this side, and if it holds me I will slip down. Then I shall run. When you no longer hear the leaves rustle, or if you can hear the whistle I will give you as a signal, then you must come."
"And if you go, and I cannot get out! Oh, Cora, I should die here alone now!"
"Faint heart! Be brave! Be strong! Say you will win!"
Cora was jubilant. To her it meant freedom! She had no fear of detection. All she thought of was success. To get away and then to send word to her dear ones!
Lena tapped on the door.
"Helka," she said, "could I, too, go?"
"You, Lena—why?"
"I will not be happy without Helka and without the good lady. I, too, would go away!"
Her eyes were sad, and her voice trembled.