'If you saw me do it, why did you let the house catch fire?' asked Mehalah, looking hard in Rebow's face.
'Could I help it?' he asked in reply. 'There you sat by the hearth, and no harm came of it. At last you went out, and locked and double-locked the door. I went down to my boat. I tell you, I was uneasy, and I looked back, and I saw by the light in the room that the spirit had caught. I ran back and tried to get in. The floor was flaming.'
'The floor was of brick,' said Mehalah.
'The door was fast locked. You know best why you locked it. It never was fastened before that night. You screwed on the lock, then you went out of the place yourself, leaving the room on fire, and fastened the door that none might get in.'
'A lie!' exclaimed the girl.
'Is it a lie? I don't think it. I can't cipher out your doings any other way. I tried to break open the door, but you had put too stout a fastening on. Then I burst open the window, and when the wind got in, it made the fire rage worse. So I ran and shouted to my men in the big boat, and I got a balk and I stove the door in, and then it was too late to do more than save your mother and her goods. As for you, you left her and them to burn together; you wanted to be off and free of her. I know you.'
'Oh, Master Rebow! I know I'm a burden to her, but she would not do that!' put in Mrs. Sharland.
'Why did you watch me?' asked Mehalah, and then regretted that she had put the question.
'You see,' said Elijah turning to the officer, 'she didn't think anyone was near to give evidence against her.'
'Here I am,' said Mehalah, 'put me in prison, do with me what you will. I am innocent of all intent to burn the farm.'