"I asked her if she'd wrote after he had gone, but she told me to mind my work and leave her to mind other things."
"And then?"
"And then I just got George Canning to write those lines and post them in Haslemere when he went for the physic. I thought if he posted it before twelve you'd likely get it to-night."
"I did—I did!" and Margaret put her hand on Towsey's arm in token of gratitude. Towsey turned her head back for a moment as if she were listening, but all was still above.
"Has mother asked for me?" Margaret whispered.
"Ay, every hour."
"I must come in, I will come in!" she said, desperately.
"You have a right to," Towsey answered; "but after she came from London she said she would turn me from the door if I ever opened it to you."
"I must see my mother!" Margaret said, and a sob came to her throat. "She has no right to keep me from her."
"That's true enough, Miss Margaret. But she's that bitter I believe she'd shut the door on you if your mother was lying dead."