Then, guiltily, she caught up her basket and sped on to the kitchen.
Lad, slowly and with difficulty, got to his feet and followed her.

A minute later the Mistress watched them making their way to the orchard, side by side; the child slackening her eager steps in order to keep pace with the aged dog.
"I wish we could arrange to take her away from that brute of a father of hers, and keep her here," said the Mistress.

"It's horrible to think of such a helpless wisp of a baby being beaten and made to work, day and night.

And then she and Laddie love each other so.

They--" "What can we do ?" asked the Master, hopelessly.