“Tom, Tom, I would be the thankfullest soul in this world if I could believe you ever had as good a thought as that, but you know you never did⁠—and I know it, Tom.”

“Indeed and ’deed I did, auntie⁠—I wish I may never stir if I didn’t.”

“Oh, Tom, don’t lie⁠—don’t do it. It only makes things a hundred times worse.”

“It ain’t a lie, auntie; it’s the truth. I wanted to keep you from grieving⁠—that was all that made me come.”

“I’d give the whole world to believe that⁠—it would cover up a power of sins, Tom. I’d ’most be glad you’d run off and acted so bad. But it ain’t reasonable; because, why didn’t you tell me, child?”