Part 29 (1/2)

”Don't, Violet! It came into my mind--I couldn't help that, but it is wrong to speak of it. It could not have been he.”

”I don't know. It does not seem possible. He is foolish and frivolous--and not to be relied on; but I do not think he would do such a thing as--take money--unless--”

”Violet! Don't speak of it. A false accusation is a terrible thing.”

”I am not accusing him. There does not seem to be a sufficient motive for such an act. The sum was so small--and then--”

”Dear Violet!” said David, in great distress, ”don't speak of it any more.”

”Well, I will not--but Mr Oswald accused you. You are a great deal better than I am, Davie,” said his sister, softly.

David laughed an uncertain laugh.

”That is all you know about it,” said he.

When Violet went up next day to speak to Miss Oswald about the little girls, the first word that Frank said to her was:

”Has Davie told you? Oh! Violet, what will Aunt Mary think of papa?”

But Violet could not trust herself to speak of Davie's trouble to him.

She was too angry with his father; and, besides, she was too startled by Frank's pale looks to be able to think, for the moment, of any one but him.

”Are you ill, Frank? Are your eyes worse? What have you been doing to them?”

For Frank had dropped his head down on his hands again.

”Yes, they are worse. I was out in the rain, and caught cold. I was not strong enough to go, I suppose. Phil, sent me back with some people who were coming down. He would have come himself, but, of course, I couldn't let him.”

”You would have done better to come to Gourlay with us,” said Violet.

”Yes, even without Jem or Davie. I wish I had gone.”

”Come with me to-morrow,” said Violet, earnestly. ”Mamma will be very glad to see you.”

But Frank shook his head sadly.

”I cannot, Violet. I should be ashamed to look Aunt Mary in the face-- after--”

”You need not, Frank. Mamma will know. And you don't suppose that anything they say can really hurt our Davie?”

”No; not in the end. But--there's no use in talking.”

”I am not afraid!” said Violet. ”And mamma will not fret about it; I am sure of that?”

There was nothing more said for some time, and then Violet asked:

”Where is your brother now?”

”He must be far across the country by this time. He was enjoying the trip very much when I left him.”