"It's no such thing! I should like to know!" exclaimed Mrs. Fishley, who, by some miracle, had been enabled to hold her tongue thus far.
"I saw her do it," I added.
"It's no such thing!"
"Didn't you take her by the arm?" I demanded.
"Well, I did just touch her on the arm, but I didn't hurt her none. I wouldn't hurt her for a million dollars."
"Let Flora speak for herself," I continued. "What did she do to you, Flora?"
"I don't like to say anything about it, Buckland. She didn't hurt me much," answered the terrified child.
"You see, she won't say I shook her, or did any such awful thing," said the virago, triumphantly.
"Speak, my dearest sister. We had better settle this matter now," I added.
"She did take me by the arm, pull me out of the chair, and was shaking me, when you interfered," replied the poor girl, trembling with fear of the consequences of her truthful confession.