'No, my dear child, you have acted with
great presence of mind. You have saved your sister and Hannah from
great danger, and I am very sorry that you have been unjustly
treated.'
He then gave his little daughter a kiss, and putting his hand on her
head, added, 'Whoever caused the explosion, Phyllis is quite free
from blame, and I wish every one to understand this, because she has
been unjustly accused, without examination, and because she has borne
it patiently, and without attempting to justify herself.'
'Very right,' observed Eleanor.
'Shake hands, Phyllis,' said William.
The others said more with their eyes than with their lips. Phyllis
stood like one in a dream, and fixing her bewildered looks upon
Claude, said, 'Did not I do it?'
'No, Phyllis, you had nothing to do with it,' was the general
exclamation.
'Maurice said it was the door,' said Phyllis.
'Maurice talked nonsense,' said Claude; 'you were only foolish in
believing him.'
Phyllis went up to Claude, and laid her head on his arm; Mr.
Hawkesworth held out his hand to her, but she did not look up, and
Claude withdrawing his arm, and raising her head, found that she was
crying.
Pages:
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317