'They will sell the cow too,' said the widow.
'Certain to do so.'
'There! I hear the dresser's put up. Who has bought the clock?'
'Oh never mind, that matters nothing. We are ruined.'
'Oh dear, dear!' moaned Mrs. Sharland, 'that it should come to this! But I suppose I must, I must indeed. Run, Mehalah, run quick and unrip the belt of my green gown. Quick, fetch it me.'
The girl hastily obeyed. The old woman got her knife, and with trembling hand cut away the lining in several parts of the body. Shining sovereigns came out.
'There are twenty here,' she said with a sigh, 'and we have seven over of what George let us have. Give the wretches the money.'
'Mother, mother!' exclaimed Mehalah. 'How could you borrow! How could you send me——!'
'Never mind, I did not want to use my little store till every chance had failed. Run out and pay the money.'
Mehalah darted from the door.