“No one, that is, no one but Jerusha Maria. Kate Gorman had gone out with Jared Boyce, and we two were locked in till our folks came home from the party.”
“And who is Jerusha Maria? Is she here?”
James glanced at Mrs. Smith, and answered, with hesitation, that Jerusha Maria was Mrs. Smith’s little girl, and couldn’t come to a place like that, not being old enough.
“But being that bright,” broke in the mother, “that if she was here, she would cry ready to break her heart.”
The magistrate smiled, but went on questioning James.
“Well, what did you do after that?”
“I sat down by Jerusha Maria, and tried to coax her to go to sleep,” faltered the lad, blushing crimson.
“Well, what next?”
“She wouldn’t do it, sir.”
“Being good as gold, but obstinate, taking after her father in that respect,” broke in Mrs. Smith, with a last dash of scorn at her husband.