"You did tackle him, Het," he said. "My word!--you has a way with you, lass." "Let me use it on you, then, Mr. Granger," said Hetty. "I want Bet--where be she?" "What will you give me ef I tell you?" "I haven't much to give. I can sing to yer--tell me, and I'll give you the bonniest song--one that no bird in springtime could beat." "Ay, ay, lass," said Granger. "You know your power, and how you can wheedle anything out of a fellow; but the fact is I don't know where Bet is hiding; and if I did the secret is Dent's, not mine. But I don't--so there. What's the matter, Hester?--what are you staring at?--oh, that child--you let him alone, he's asleep, that child is. I popped him into bed, and he's asleep. You let him be, Hester Wright." "I will, when I've looked at him," said Hester. She moved over to the bed, on which a forlorn little figure lay prone. A white cheek pressed the pillow, and two big blue eyes looked up imploringly at Hester. "Why, it's the cap'n!" said the singer, bending over the boy, and pushing the bright reddish hair off his forehead. "What are you doing, laddie?--and where's your brother?" The captain's eyes said unutterable things, but his lips did not move--Granger as well as Hester was watching his face. "He's resting--can't yer see it?" said the man. "You let him go back to his sleep. His brother?--oh, he's out larking in the street." A curious look came over Hester's face. Her manner completely altered. Stooping again, she pressed a very light kiss on the boy's white cold brow. "Go to sleep, lad," she said. Then she turned to Granger. "I won't trouble you to tell me about Bet," she said, in her most conciliatory tones. "Ef it's Dent's secret, I know as you ain't to blame. There's many a hard thing said about a person what hasn't a word of truth in it. I believe you're a right good man, Mr. Granger. Well, I must go off, for I'd like to get news of Bet, but ef you like I'll come back to-night and sing to you." "Will you?" said Granger, eagerly. "There's nothing like a song, and somehow, your voice goes through a feller. I'll collect a few neighbors, and we'll have a bit of supper and a fine time. What hour'll you come, Hetty?" "When the clock's gone seven," said Hester. "I mightn't be in then,--I sometimes gets an odd job, and I may to-night, down by the docks; but I'll leave the room-door on the latch, and you can come in when you please. The boy? Oh, he's well enough. You won't mind hearing Hetty sing, will you, cap'n?" Again the blue eyes looked up piteously, but the little white lips were silent. Hester nodded, and smiled brightly at Granger. "I'll look in as soon as I can," she repeated. "You leave the door on the latch." Then she tripped downstairs; she had not even glanced again in the direction of the little captain.