Alice wondered if she could indeed try putting it off. But that thought evaporated as soon as she saw her father. Once again, she had stolen from him. Once again she had tried to run away. She didn't care about his anger. But she feared the loss of his love. She put the sweets in her pocket and wrapped her arms around herself. "Benny was just talkin' to me." She affirmed quietly, not looking up at her father.

But Ben suddenly grabbed her by the arms, pulling her up to her feet, and shook her. "Have ye lost yer mind, lass!? Stealin' an' runnin' away an' talkin' to strange men alone. What d' ye think is gonna happen if ye try that in Tobias' home?"