She had had a narrow escape, and who could say what might happen the next time she got into mischief?
Then I bethought me that the squire was growing old, and that it was better not to put it off too long.

So, ma'am, I came to you and made up my mind to put her with you." "And you had your way," Mrs.Walsham said, smiling, "though it was with some difficulty." "I expected it would be difficult, ma'am; but I made up my mind to that, and had you kept on refusing I should, as a last chance, have told you whose child she was." "But why me ?" Mrs.Walsham asked.

"Why were you so particularly anxious that she should come to me, of all people ?" The sergeant smiled.
"It's difficult to tell you, ma'am, but I had a reason." "But what was it ?" Mrs.Walsham persisted.
The sergeant hesitated.
"You may think me an old fool, ma'am, but I will tell you what fancy came into my mind.

Your son saved Aggie's life.

He was twelve years old, she was five, seven years' difference." "Why, what nonsense, sergeant!" Mrs.Walsham broke in with a laugh.
"You don't mean to say that fancy entered your head!" "It did, ma'am," Sergeant Wilks said gravely.