I should be taking you up for murder if you did it often in your
way!"
Emma Smith only looked more sullen. "Well, she's mine, and no one
else's, and I'm going to keep her."
"Look here, my woman, what's the good of going on like that?
You've got to prove, first of all, that she is yours, and then that
you're a fit and proper person to have her. In the meantime I've got
my orders to fetch her away, and if you want her you can apply to the
magistrates, and prove to them all that you've been saying.
Now, then, where's her bonnet and shawl?"
"She hasn't got any," sulkily.
"Then you've got to provide her with some. Hurry up; but first of
all, has she had anything to eat or drink to-day?"
"No, nor won't have. I haven't got anything for myself."
"That seems unlucky; but if you'll come along of me you shall have a
good cup of tea and a bit of breakfast. Now then, missie, are you
ready?"
Huldah had sat speechless all this time. She felt giddy and ill, and
quite worn out. She was so dazed too, she could not think what to
do, or what she ought to do. Things seemed to have got beyond her,
and to be taken out of her hands.
She struggled to her feet, and let the policeman wrap her, head and
all, in the old shawl. She wondered vaguely if she would feel better
able to walk when once she had started; but even the standing on her
feet seemed too much for her, and it was with a real sense of relief
that she felt the man lift her in his arms and stride away with her.
Pages:
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123