child should die than that she should grow up to be a wicked woman. So after reflecting for some time, and wondering how he should best get at the truth, he burst out suddenly with the question,
"When were ye last home, eh?"
For a moment there was silence, and Benny looked at his sister as much as to say, "That's a poser; we're in for it now."
"Come now," said Joe, seeing their hesitation, "let's 'ave nowt but truth; out wi' it, an' it will be best in the end."
"You tell 'im, Nell," said Benny, "'cause he'll b'lieve you."
So Nelly, in her sweet pleading voice, told him all the story of Benny's wrong, and of her father's cruelty, and how even she herself had not escaped his anger.
"And did he beat you, my purty?" said Joe, clenching his fist tightly at the same time.
"Ay, Joe; but I dunna think he know'd what he were a-doin'."
For a few moments the old man's face worked as if in pain. Then he muttered to himself, "Some'at must be done, an' no mistake; but what? Eh, what?" Then he looked at the children again.
"Don't yer think you'd better go home again to-night?" he said; and he watched eagerly for the effect of his question. Nelly was the first to speak.
"Oh, no," she said; "we should get it worse nor ever.
