“You will not mention what I have told you to anyone?”
“Save and defend us! I speak of it!—I! Come, come, be rational. Sign the register and set my mind at ease, that is all I want and ask for, and then I wash my hands of you.”
Then away went Mr. Desiderius Mules, with the wind catching his coat tails, twisting them, throwing them up against his back, parting them, and driving them one on each of him, taking and cutting them and sending them between his legs.
Judith stood mournfully looking after him. The sign-post, as he had called himself was flying from the traveller whom it was his duty to direct.
Then a hand was laid on her arm. She started, turned and saw Oliver Menaida, flushed with rapid walking and with the fresh air he had encountered.
“I have come to see you,” he said. “I have come to offer you my father’s and my assistance. We have just heard——”
“What?”
“That Captain Coppinger has turned you and Jamie out of his house.”
“Have you heard any reason assigned?”
“Because—so it is said—he had beaten the boy, and you were incensed, angry words passed—and it ended in a rupture.”