"
"They must be poor."
"Poor! They are beggars."
The woman, who was not as hard as she looked, was struck with
compassion.
"Give it back to them, Jack," she entreated. "It is little enough,
and they will have need of it."
"So do I have need of it," growled her lord and master.
"No, you don't, Jack. It isn't worth your taking."
"I'm the best judge of that, woman."
"They will suffer. I can't bear to have that boy suffer. He reminds
me so of our dead son."
"You're a fool!" said her husband roughly.
"And you have no heart!" said his wife bitterly.
"I don't want one if it's going to make a fool of me. Come, hurry up
the breakfast, for I must be out of the way before they come down.
They'll miss their money, and I don't want to be asked any
questions."
"What shall I say if they ask me where it is, Jack?"
"Anything you like," he answered impatiently. "Say the cat did it,
or anything else. Do you think a woman needs teachin' what she is to
say?"
"They will think we did it," persisted his wife.
"Let them. They can't prove anything. Just hurry up that breakfast,
I tell you."
The wife did as she was ordered, and Jack sat down to his breakfast.
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