Laced suffer hood

Accused of stealing the silverware, Maria was dressed in the uniform of penitence and the hood of remorse, and made to stand at the foot of the table while dinner proceeded.
As everyone rose to proceed to the drawing room, I saw Maria wobble slightly, and had a pang of guilt.

I hung back, and when we were alone, I carefully inserted the silver tube I had borrowed from the kitchen, through the lacing and into her mouth.
I raised a glass of water and let her drink her fill.

"I'm so sorry for this, Maria!" I whispered.
I'll make sure the silver straw is found somewhere that clears your name, and I will make this up to you!

I squeezed her through the thick leather, and she acknowledged me with a muffled whimper.