She had to face the separation from her son, and to send him forth into the world alone.

But the experiences of the past weeks had taught her that perhaps this was the best thing that could happen to young Tom.

In Gablethorpe he had no chance of getting away from evil associates.

In a different place he might find friends of a different stamp.
She rose and silently unlocked a great oaken press, clamped with iron, a place where the Squire kept all his valuable papers, and some of the heirlooms which had come down to him from his forefathers.

Tom looked on with curious eyes.