“Bless us an’ save us, no!”
“Yes, I have. Something very valuable. It’s been stolen.”
“You don’t mean it!”
“But I do! Some manuscript out of the summer-house yonder.”
“And her gold-mounted fountain pen,” added Tom. “That would tempt somebody.”
“My goodness!”
Ben could express his simple wonderment in a variety of phrases. But he seemed unable to go beyond these explosive expressions.
“Ben, wake up!” exclaimed Ruth. “Have you any idea who would have taken it?”
“That gold pen, Ruthie? Why—why—— A thief!”
“Old man,” said Tom with suppressed disgust, “you’re a wonder. How did you guess it?”