As it's done, I suppose I must
stand by you, and help you through with it; I only hope I sha'n't
lose my character--and me a parish-clerk's daughter!"
"O Sally! people know you too well to think any ill of you," said
Miss Benson, who was pleased to find the difficulty so easily got
over; for, in truth, Sally had been much softened by the
unresisting gentleness with which Ruth had submitted to the
"clipping" of the night before.
"If I'd been with you, Master Thurstan, I'd ha' seen sharp after
you, for you're always picking up some one or another as nobody
else would touch with a pair of tongs. Why, there was that Nelly
Brandon's child as was left at our door, if I hadn't gone to th'
overseer we should have had that Irish tramp's babby saddled on
us for life; but I went off and told th' overseer, and the mother
was caught."
"Yes," said Mr. Benson sadly, "and I often lie awake and wonder
what is the fate of that poor little thing, forced back on the
mother who tried to get quit of it. I often doubt whether I did
right; but it's no use thinking about it now."
"I'm thankful it isn't," said Sally; "and now, if we've talked
doctrine long enough, I'll make th' beds. Yon girl's secret is
safe enough for me."
Saying this she left the room, and Miss Benson followed. She
found Ruth busy washing the breakfast things; and they were done
in so quiet and orderly a manner, that neither Miss Benson nor
Sally, both particular enough, had any of their little fancies or
prejudices annoyed.
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