‘That’s not true,’ said Margaret.  ’It was not Boucher that threw the stone’—­she went first red, then white.

‘Yo’d be there then, were yo’?’ asked Bessy languidly for indeed, she had spoken with many pauses, as if speech was unusually difficult to her.

’Yes.  Never mind.  Go on.  Only it was not Boucher that threw the stone.  But what did he answer to your father?’

‘He did na’ speak words.  He were all in such a tremble wi’ spent passion, I could na’ bear to look at him.  I heard his breath coming quick, and at one time I thought he were sobbing.  But when father said he’d give him up to police, he gave a great cry, and struck father on th’ face wi’ his closed fist, and he off like lightning.  Father were stunned wi’ the blow at first, for all Boucher were weak wi’ passion and wi’ clemming.  He sat down a bit, and put his hand afore his eyes; and then made for th’ door.  I dunno’ where I got strength, but I threw mysel’ off th’ settle and clung to him.  “Father, father!” said I.  “Thou’ll never go peach on that poor clemmed man.  I’ll never leave go on thee, till thou sayst thou wunnot.”  “Dunnot be a fool,” says he, “words come readier than deeds to most men.  I never thought o’ telling th’ police on him; though by G—­, he deserves it, and I should na’ ha’ minded if some one else had done the dirty work, and got him clapped up.  But now he has strucken me, I could do it less nor ever, for it would be getting other men to take up my quarrel.  But if ever he gets well o’er this clemming, and is in good condition, he and I’ll have an up and down fight, purring an’ a’, and I’ll see what I can do for him.”  And so father shook me off,—­for indeed, I was low and faint enough, and his face was all clay white, where it weren’t bloody, and turned me sick to look at.  And I know not if I slept or waked, or were in a dead swoon, till Mary come in; and I telled her to fetch yo’ to me.  And now dunnot talk to me, but just read out th’ chapter.  I’m easier in my mind for having spit it out; but I want some thoughts of the world that’s far away to take the weary taste of it out o’ my mouth.  Read me—­not a sermon chapter, but a story chapter; they’ve pictures in them, which I see when my eyes are shut.  Read about the New Heavens, and the New Earth; and m’appen I’ll forget this.’

Margaret read in her soft low voice.  Though Bessy’s eyes were shut, she was listening for some time, for the moisture of tears gathered heavy on her eyelashes.  At last she slept; with many starts, and muttered pleadings.  Margaret covered her up, and left her, for she had an uneasy consciousness that she might be wanted at home, and yet, until now, it seemed cruel to leave the dying girl.  Mrs. Hale was in the drawing-room on her daughter’s return.  It was one of her better days, and she was full of praises of the water-bed.  It had been more like the beds at Sir John Beresford’s than anything she had slept on since.  She did not know how it