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ignorance. The judge meditated, during an ominous pause, then turned to
the woman, with the question--
"
What dost thou hold this property to be worth?"
The woman courtesied and replied--
"Three shillings and eightpence, your worship--I could not abate a penny
and set forth the value honestly."
The justice glanced around uncomfortably upon the crowd, then nodded to
the constable, and said--
"Clear the court and close the doors."
It was done. None remained but the two officials, the accused, the
accuser, and Miles Hendon. This latter was rigid and colourless, and on
his forehead big drops of cold sweat gathered, broke and blended
together, and trickled down his face. The judge turned to the woman
again, and said, in a compassionate voice--
"
'Tis a poor ignorant lad, and mayhap was driven hard by hunger, for
these be grievous times for the unfortunate; mark you, he hath not an
evil face--but when hunger driveth--Good woman! dost know that when one
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