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The Parent's Assistant by Maria Edgeworth
Book, page 442 / 462



"Come up, whoever you are," said Mr. William Power, in a stern voice. "I
thought I should find you out at last. Come up, whoever you are!" Hardy
obeyed without reply.--"Hardy!" exclaimed Mr. Power, starting back with
astonishment; "is it you, Mr. Hardy?" repeated he, holding the light to
his face. "Why, sir," said he, in a sneering tone, "I'm sure if Mr.
Trueman was here he wouldn't believe his own eyes; but for my part I saw
through you long since; I never liked saints, for my share. Will you
please to do me the favour, sir, if it is not too much trouble, to empty
your pockets." Hardy obeyed in silence. "Heyday! meat! raw meat! what
next?"

"That's all," said Hardy, emptying his pockets inside out.

"This is ALL," said Mr. Power, taking up the meat.

"Pray, sir," said Hardy, eagerly, "let that meat be burned, it is
poisoned."

"Poisoned!" cried Mr. William Power, letting it drop out of his fingers;
"you wretch!" looking at him with a menacing air: "what is all this?
Speak." Hardy was silent. "Why don't you speak?" cried he, shaking him
by the shoulder impatiently. Still Hardy was silent. "Down upon your
knees this minute and confess all: tell me where you've been, what
you've been doing, and who are your accomplices, for I know there is a
gang of you; so," added he, pressing heavily upon Hardy's shoulder, "down
upon your knees this minute, and confess the whole, that's your only way
now to get off yourself. If you hope for MY pardon, I can tell you it's
not to be had without asking for."

"Sir," said Hardy, in a firm but respectful voice, "I have no pardon to
ask, I have nothing to confess; I am innocent; but if I were not, I would
never try to get off myself by betraying my companions."

"Very well, sir! very well! very fine! stick to it, stick to it, I advise
you, and we shall see. And how will you look to-morrow, Mr. Innocent,
when my uncle, the doctor, comes home?"

"As I do now, sir," said Hardy, unmoved.


 
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