But what a future, how unnecessary, how unjust! Suddenly she thought of Jefferson's promise to interest his father in their case and she clutched at the hope this promise held out as a drowning man clutches at a drifting straw.

Jefferson would not forget his promise and he would come to Massapequa to tell her of what he had done.

She was sure of that.

Perhaps, after all, there was where their hope lay.

Why had she not told her father at once?
It might have relieved his mind.