She could never bear it! Mrs. Perry spoke as if she
would have to; but what would she herself do there alone? She would
be almost frightened to death.
Poor Huldah grew frantic. "I am not going. I can't go, and Miss
Rose said you can't make me. I am not yours. Oh, Miss Rose, Miss
Rose do come and save us!"
With a little whimper of pain Dick crawled out of his corner and came
towards her. He seemed to realise that his little mistress was in
danger, and he meant to stand by her.
"Shut up your noise!" shouted her "uncle," and dealt her another
sharp blow on the side of the head.
Mrs. Perry screamed, and fell fainting into the chair, and with the
same Tom Smith picked up Huldah in his arms and made for the door.
The sound of footsteps and bitter cries died away in the lane, and a
deep oppressive silence followed. The kettle sang and boiled and
bubbled over, the supper burnt in the pan, the fire died down, and
still that senseless form lay huddled up in her chair, her white face
turned upwards to the ceiling, as though beseeching help.
Minutes passed before any sign of life came back to her, and with a
shuddering sigh she opened her eyes again. At first she was dazed,
and her mind a blank, then the open door, the empty room, the
stillness, brought all back to her in a sudden overwhelming rush of
sorrow.
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