"I don't know that there's any motive." She met his eyes frankly enough,
but with a musing air as if considering a new suggestion. "No; it's just
a wish, no more. An hour ago it seemed to me that everyone was eager and
happy; that there would always be pleasure in looking back upon our
opening day." Her voice trembled a little. "Now this has happened, to
spoil all; and yet something may be saved if we bear no malice, but take
up the work again, and show that we waste no time or thought on
punishment, being determined only to win."

"You are asking a great deal of me," he answered. Nevertheless he had
instantly resolved to grant her wish, and for many reasons. "I suppose
you know the matter is serious enough for a warrant? Still, if I shall
oblige you by declining to prosecute--"

"But please don't put it in that way!" she interrupted.

"I really don't see how else to put it." He paused, as if requiring her
to suggest a better. "The point is, you want me to let the fellow off--
eh? Well then, I will."

"Thank you," said Hester, with a sigh.

Mr. Sam smiled. After being shaken like a rat, a man needs to retrieve
his self-respect, and he was retrieving his famously. He could see
himself in a magnanimous light: he had laid the girl under an obligation;
he had avoided public action which would, to be sure, have given him
revenge, but at much cost of dignity; and, for the rest, he had still
plenty of ways to get even with Master Tom Trevarthen.

Hester had a mind to tell him that he misconstrued her; that merely to
abstain from pursuing the lad with warrant or summons neither fulfilled
her request nor touched the kernel of it. But while she cast about for
words Mrs. Purchase thrust a cheerful head in at the doorway.

"Hullo, that's famous!" she exclaimed at sight of the bandaging.
"You're a clever woman, my dear; and now I'll ask you to bring your
cleverness outside here and take these children off my hands.
W'st, you little numskulls!"--she turned and addressed them--"keep quiet,
I say, with your mountains out of molehills! There's no one killed nor
hurt; only a foolish lad lost his temper, and he'll smart for it, and I
hope it'll be a warning to you." She poked her head in through the
doorway again. "Come along, Sam, and show yourself. And as for you, my
dear," she went on hurriedly, lowering her voice, "better get 'em back to
their work as if nought had happened. I'll bide a while with you