"Surely, by that he must be one of the debtors. The sheriff is more
like to come for them than the doctor. They will be back in jail in a
few days, no doubt," said Mrs. Partridge, sharply.

"No one will be so cruel. Father is so sick. If you could see him, you
would not say so. They shall not take him to jail again. If Mr.
Seymour comes after him, I'll tear his eyes out. I'll kill him."

"What a little tiger it is!" said Mrs. Partridge, regarding with
astonishment the child's blazing eyes and panting bosom, while peering
over her mistress's shoulders, the negro girl was turning up the
whites of her eyes at the display. "There, there, child, I meant
nothing. If he is sick, maybe they will leave him. I know naught of
such things. But this Perez Hamlin will be hung of a surety, and the
rest be put in the stocks and well whipt."

"He will not be hung. No one will dare to touch him," cried Prudence,
becoming excited again. "He is the best man in the world. He fetched
my father out of jail."

"Nay, but if you are so spunky to say 'no' to your betters, 'tis time
you went. I know not what we are in the way to, when a chit of a maid
shall set me right," said Mrs. Partridge, bristling up, and turning
disdainfully away.

But her indignation, at once forgotten in terror lest the doctor might
not come to her father, Prudence came after her and caught her sleeve,
and said with tones of entreaty, supported by eyes full of tears:

"Please, marm, don't mind what I said. Box my ears, marm, but please