Springing to her
feet, she snatched the heavy whip from the van, and brought it down
with all the force of which she was capable across Huldah's
shoulders.
"It's all your fault!" she screamed, "it's all your fault! It was
only to get hold of you that he offered the fellow the money, and if
you hadn't run away he'd never have had to do it. 'Tis all your
fault he's took, and I'll make you smart for it, my lady!" and
seizing the poor shrinking, frightened child, she beat her until her
arm dropped to her side exhausted.
"Stop that!" cried a stern voice, loudly. Huldah and her aunt fell
back, shocked and startled by the sight of another policeman close to
them. In the noise and excitement they had not heard anyone
approaching. "Give me that whip."
Huldah gave one terrified glance at the man in blue, and fell
fainting at his feet.
Emma Smith handed over the whip meekly enough. She was thoroughly
scared now, for she never doubted that Huldah was dead, and that the
policeman would declare that she had killed the child. In her terror
for herself, her anxiety about her husband was forgotten. She began
to wail and sob and beg forgiveness. She threw herself on the
ground, calling loudly to Huldah to open her eyes and get up.
She tried coaxings and all sorts of promises, but the policeman only
thrust her aside.
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