'It is true, indeed,' she answered. 'They have done it to revenge themselves on Mr. Drownlands, because he gave evidence against some of their comrades.'
'This is very serious,' said Mark.
'It is quite true. They would not allow me to go back to Prickwillow. I tried, but they stopped me, and forced me to come on this way. I could not warn the master. And they told me to keep off the ice. As I came along, I heard it scream and crack, and go down in a mass together.'
'Why did you not tell me this before?'
'You would not listen to me. You said cruel things of me, and Kainie struck me in the face.'
'And why did you set the mill on fire?'
'To force you to come back. I did not care about your danger till too late. I ran after you, you could not hear me. I knew that if you saw fire at the mill you would return. Nothing but that could bring you back.'
Mark was silent for a moment. Then, with emotion in his voice, he said—
'Zita, I believe we have wronged you grievously.'