Part 11 (1/2)
”But your uilty too”
”I never did!” cried Jem, excitedly ”But sure-_lie_ Miss Kitty don't?”
”Yes, Jem, they all think I'm a thief Everybody does,” cried Don, passionately
”No, everybody don't,” said Jem, fiercely; ”so don't talk like that, Mas' Don Why, even I couldn't ha' stole thato' no consequence t'other day So if I couldn't ha' done it, I'entleman born and bred, couldn't”
”But they think I did Everybody thinks so”
”Tell yer everybody don't think so,” cried Jeot dust in their eyes, that's what's the matter with them, and they can't see clear But didn't you tell 'em as you didn't?”
”Yes, Jem,” said Don, despondently; ”at first”
”Then why didn't you at last, too? Here, cheer up, otten, sashead as I let them take away I don't say shake hands 'cause you're like master and me only man, but I shakes hands with you in my 'art, my lad, and I says, don't be down over it”
”You couldn't shake hands with a thief, you mean, Jem,” said Don, bitterly
”Look here, Mas' Don, I can't punch your head because, as aforesaid, you're young master, and I'm only man; but for that there same what you said just now I hits you in my 'art Thief indeed! But ah, my lad, it was a pity as you ever let Mike come into the office to tell you his lies about furren parts”
”Yes, Jeot all he told you out o' books, and the stories wouldn't ha' been quite so black”
”Ah, well, it's all over now”
”What's all over?”
”My life here, Jeht away Abroad, I think”
”And what'll your et me, I hope I alas an unlucky fellow Jeo away”
”Well, that's clever, that is Why, that's just the way to make 'em think you did it Tshah! You stop like a uilty?”
”Don't be so precious aggrawatin', my lad,” cried Je you that I don't believe you guilty Why, I'd just as soon believe that I stole our sugar and sold bundles of tobacco-leaves to the marine store shops”
Don shook his head
”Well, of all the aggrawatin' chaps I ever did see, you're 'bout the worst, Mas' Don Don't I tell you it'll be all right?”
”No, Jeistrates”