“She said I might be a companion,” said Innocent. “And Sir Alexis said something too--a companion! I am Nelly’s companion and my aunt’s, she says--Frederick’s wife meant something different. Alice, you are old; you know a great many things----” “I know you’re but an innocent, my poor bonnie bairn,” said the old woman with a sigh. “Of course I am Innocent; but that is only my name. Companion is not a name; it is a thing. She is Frederick’s companion. My aunt says he will never be rid of her--never--so long as she lives. What a pity that she cannot be made to stop living! She scolds--like--like--she grows red like the women we once saw quarrelling in the street.” “When you stoppit to tell them it was ugly,” said Alice; “and why should they scold each other?” “Yes,” said Innocent, “to scold children is natural, I suppose, at least, everybody does it, even you, Alice; but Frederick’s wife--and he cannot send her away. I wish she might die, and then Frederick would be free.” “Bairn, bairn, hold your tongue!” cried Alice. “Are you no aware that it’s a sin, a great sin, to wish anybody dead? Never let me hear you say such a thing again.” “But I do think it,” said Innocent; “she makes herself ill; she suffers; she makes everybody else unhappy. She scolds, it does not matter whom. Why should people go on living when they do so much harm?” “But you would not do her harm?” said Alice, curiously gazing at her; “and why should Mr. Frederick be free? He has taken his own way, and he must put up with it. He has made his bed, and he must lie on it. What is he, that he should be delivered from what he has brought on himself?” “I am fond of Frederick,” said Innocent dreamily. “If he is good or not I do not know, but I am fond of him. Alice, do you know I have found out something? When papa said women were hateful, he meant women like Frederick’s wife.” “My bonnie lamb,” said Alice, “think as little as you can either of Mr. Frederick or Mr. Frederick’s wife. Such kind of thoughts are little good. Say your prayers, and mind that you must wish harm to no person. It’s against a’ Scripture; though, eh! human nature’s weak, and if it was me I doubt if I could keep my hands off her,” she added to herself.