"For all that, I wish I could see Frederick once more--just once. He was my first baby, Margaret." Mrs. Hale spoke wistfully, and almost as if apologising for the yearning, craving wish, as though it were a depreciation of her remaining child. But such an idea never crossed Margaret's mind. She was thinking how her mother's desire could be fulfilled.
"It is six or seven years ago--would they still prosecute him, mother. If he came and stood his trial, what would be the punishment? Surely, he might bring evidence of his great provocation."
"It would do no good," replied Mrs. Hale. "Some of the sailors who accompanied Frederick were taken, and there was a court-martial held on them on board the Amicia; I believed all they said in their defence, poor fellows, because it just agreed with Frederick's story--but it was of no use,--" and for the first time during the conversation Mrs. Hale began to cry; yet something possessed Margaret to force the information she foresaw, yet dreaded, from her mother.

'For all that, I wish I could see Frederick once more - just once.' Mrs. Hale spoke wistfully, and almost apologetically, as though the wish were a depreciation of her remaining child. But such an idea never crossed Margaret's mind. She was thinking how her mother's desire could be fulfilled.
'It is six or seven years ago - would they still prosecute him, mother? If he stood trial, what would be the punishment? Surely he might bring evidence of his provocation.'
'It would do no good,' replied Mrs. Hale. 'Some of the sailors who accompanied Frederick were taken, and court-martialled on board the Amicia; I believed all they said in their defence, poor fellows, because it agreed with Frederick's story - but it was of no use.' Mrs. Hale began to cry; yet Margaret needed to know the end.
