THE JUSTICE OF MEN
nightmare half consciously experienced and which with the struggle must give way before the waking.
Fannie was utterly hopeless. She had laid down whatever pride had been hers and gone to plead with Maurice Oakley for her husband's freedom, and she had seen his hard, set face. She had gone upon her knees before his wife to cite Berry's long fidelity.
"Oh, Mis' Oakley," she cried, "ef he did steal de money, we've got enough saved to mek it good. Let him go! let him go!"
"Then you admit that he did steal?" Mrs. Oakley had taken her up sharply.
"Oh, I did n't say dat; I did n't mean dat."
"That will do, Fannie, I understand perfectly. You should have confessed that long ago."
"But I ain't confessin'! I ain't! He didn't———"
"You may go."
59
