"Ay, I'm sorry to say he's in prison, Sarah; I am that."
Sarah did not scream or feint. Her blood rushed to her face and then back in a choking tide to her heart.
"Who told thee so?"
"My man saw him and Jerry Yates and Mike Todd brought to t' lock-up."
"Did ta hear what for?"
"Ay, they are took for robbing Squire Aske. T' squire is badly hurt, too, and folks say it will be murder, and no less."
"Master, dost thou know owt? Is this true about t' squire?"
"I must tell thee it is, Sarah. I'm varry sorry—"
"Then leave me alone, will you? Polly, master, go away, I want to be by mysen a bit."
A great grief is a great consecration. Both instantly and pityingly obeyed her request. But as Jonathan went out he said, "Don't fret more than thou can help, Sarah. I don't believe Steve hed anything to do wi' t' robbery of Squire Aske. I don't believe he knew anything about it, but I'll go and see him first thing to-morrow morning. I wouldn't wonder if this
