And yet that boy of Mother Duff's--" The words were interrupted.

The door had opened, and John Massingbird appeared, marshalling in Dinah Roy.

Dinah looked fit to die, with her ashy face and her trembling frame.
"Why, what is the matter ?" exclaimed Mr.Verner.
The woman burst into tears.
"Oh, sir, I don't know nothing of it; I protest I don't," she uttered.
"I declare that I never set eyes on Rachel Frost this blessed night." "But you were near the spot at the time ?" "Oh, bad luck to me, I was!" she answered, wringing her hands.

"But I know no more how she got into the water nor a child unborn." "Where's the necessity for being put out about it, my good woman ?" spoke up Mr.Bitterworth.

"If you know nothing, you can't tell it.