The Chase

When night descended, Samantha opened the dining room door a crack. Right away she heard one of Pryde's dogs growling nearby. "How are we going to get past them?" Prudence asked.

Samantha considered their options. They didn't have any food to offer the dogs as a bribe. They could try splitting up, but Pryde had more than enough animals to track the two of them down. And with the other doors and windows barricaded they didn't have any other way of getting outside.

Samantha's eyes fell on Miss Brigham and a plan formed in her mind. She untied Miss Brigham's hands and feet, but left the gag in her mouth. "You're going to get us out of here. Tell Mr. Pryde you're taking us to see the reverend. If you try to betray us, I'll make sure you never see daylight again. Do you understand?"

Miss Brigham nodded, so Samantha removed the gag from her mouth. "You don't have to be such a brute," Miss Brigham said. "It's so unbecoming for a girl your age to act this way. It's unbecoming for any girl to act this way. It's not your fault, I suppose. You weren't raised properly. You don't have any idea how a lady should conduct yourself. Well, I can tell you it isn't by threatening people and slapping them whenever the mood strikes you. You should learn from your friend, here. She conducts herself with grace instead of like a savage."