Again Stowell was silent, and for some moments nothing was heard but the woman's broken sobs. At length, unable to bear any longer the sight of the old mother's disappointment, he said he would do what he could for her. If he could not sit on her daughter's case he would write to Deemster Taubman, explaining her condition and describing her temptations.
"God bless you for that," cried the old woman. And then Janet said it was time to go, his Honour being unwell.
"May the Lord give him health and strength and long life, ma'am!"
People were right when they were telling her he had his father's heart. He had too. She was going out of the room with hope kindled, when she said,
"You must excuse a poor woman if she did wrong in coming to you, Sir."
"We'll say no more about that now," said Stowell. "Go home and rest, mother."
At that word the old woman broke down utterly. But after a moment her weak eyes shone and she said,
"Bessie is not your quality, Sir, but if she gets off she'll write to thank you."
"No, no! She must never do that," said Stowell.
"Come now, Mrs. Collister," said Janet.