Then Alice said—
"Oh, do let him go! If he's got a little girl like me, whatever will she do? Suppose it was Father!"
"I don't think he's got a little girl like you, my dear," said our robber, "and I think he'll be safer under lock and key."
"You ask yer Father to let me go, miss," said the burglar; "'e won't 'ave the 'art to refuse you."
"If I do," said Alice, "will you promise never to come back?"
"Not me, miss," the burglar said very earnestly, and he looked at the plate-basket again, as if that alone would be enough to keep him away, our robber said afterwards.
"And will you be good and not rob any more?" said Alice.
"I'll turn over a noo leaf, miss, so help me."
Then Alice said—
"Oh, do let him go! I'm sure he'll be good."
But our robber said no, it wouldn't be right; we must wait till Father came home.
Then H. O. said, very suddenly and plainly—
"I don't think it's at all fair, when you're a robber yourself."
