He looked sharply at Prudence.
"A mobocrat--our enemy--and you have taken favours from him--a minion of the devil ?--shame!" The girl looked up.
"He was kind; you don't realise that he has probably saved their lives.
Indeed, you must let him in and thank him." "Not I!" The mother interposed hurriedly.
"Yes, yes, laddie! You know not how high-handed they have been.

They expelled all but us, and some they have maltreated shamefully.

This one has been kind to us.

Open the door." "I dare not face him--I may not contain myself!" The knock was repeated more loudly.

The girl went up to him and put her hands on his shoulders to draw him away.
"Be reasonable," she pleaded, in low tones, "and above all, be polite to him." She put him gently aside and drew back the door.