"
William looked puzzled. At the end of a long silence he said, "If it's
like that I don't see that we can do anything."
"Have patience, William. Sarah don't know what she's saying. She'll
promise not to see him again."
"You're very kind to me. I know I'm very foolish. I promised before not to
see him, and I couldn't keep my promise."
"You can stop with us until you get a situation in the country," said
Esther, "where you'll be out of his way."
"I might do that."
"I don't like to part with my money," said William, "if it is to do no one
any good." Esther looked at him, and he added, "It is just as Esther
wishes, of course; I'm not giving you the money, it is she."
"It is both of us," said Esther; "you'll do what I said, Sarah?"
"Oh, yes, anything you say, Esther," and she flung herself into her
friend's arms and wept bitterly.
"Now we want to know where you pawned the plate," said William.
"A long way from here. Bill said he knew a place where it would be quite
safe. I was to say that my mistress left it to me; he said that would be
sufficient.... It was in the Mile End Road."
"You'd know the shop again?" said William.
"But she's got the ticket," said Esther.
"No, I ain't got the ticket; Bill has it."
"Then I'm afraid the game's up."
"Do be quiet," said Esther, angrily.
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