"Bernard will have no luck," Bessie declared. "No luck ever comes our way."
"There's no good waiting for luck, Miss Bessie—"
"Will Mr. Boult buy him off?" the widow interrupted. No argument weighed with her. She listened to no attempt at comfort. "I must go to Mr. Boult at once, and ask him to do it."
"If you take my advice, you won't, ma'am. If you ask him ever so, he won't."
"I will beg him, on my knees," the poor lady said.
Deleah followed Gibbon to the landing. "Is there anything you are keeping back?" she whispered to him. "You can tell me. I am not Bessie."
"The boy's been a fool—but there's nothing that can't be hushed up."
Her eyes full of fear clung to his face; she was determined to hear the worst. "You must tell me," she persisted.
"A couple of bills were paid over the counter; only for small amounts.
Your brother did not—did not—"
"You mean he took the money for himself?"