But why were the dress and shawl smuggled into her room, instead of being brought openly?
Maybe they were not really on terms of association after all.

I wished I knew, or that I had the right to ask.

I forgot all about the Bunkers, until the judge whipped up the horses as we turned into the Wade place, and brought us up standing at the door.
"Well," said he, with a kind of nervous laugh, "the Bunkers didn't get us after all!" I was out before him this time, and helped Virginia and Mrs.Stone to get down.

The judge was wrestling with the heavy bag.

The governor came out to welcome us, and he and Judge Stone carried it in.