"Stay," said Miss Jane, "I'll go with you, and see if they are there."
Accordingly she went off with her, but they were not there.
"Now, where are they, liar?" she asked.
"Oh, Miss Jane, I put 'em here; but I 'spect somebody's done stole 'em."
"No, you never put them there," said Miss Tildy. "Now tell me where they are, or I'll give you this with a vengeance," and she shook the briers.
"I put 'em in my box in the cabin."
And thither they went to look for them. Not finding them there, the tortured girl then named some other place, but with as little success they looked elsewhere.
"Now," said Miss Tildy, "I have done all that the most humane or just could demand; and I find that nothing but a touch of this can get the truth from you, so come with me." She took her to the "lock-up," and secured the door within. Such screams as issued thence, I pray heaven I may never hear again. It seemed as if a fury's strength endowed Miss Tildy's arm.
When she came out she was pale from fatigue.
"I've beaten that girl till I've no strength in me, and she has less life in her; yet she will not say what she did with the forks."