"Where didst find this tea, lass?" he asked.
"In the little corner cupboard in the scullery," she said. "I'd no idea that people drank such good China tea in Bursley."
"Ah!" he observed, concealing his concern under a mask of irony, "China tea was drunk i' Bursley afore your time."
"Mother would only drink Ceylon," said she.
"That doesna' surprise me," said he, as if to imply that no vagary on the part of Susan could surprise him. And he proceeded, reflectively: "In th' corner cupboard, sayst tha?"
"Yes, in a large tin box."
A large tin box. This news was overwhelming. He rose abruptly and went into the scullery. Indubitably there was a large tin box, pretty nearly half full of his guarded tea, in the corner cupboard.
He returned, the illusion of half a lifetime shattered. "That there woman was a thief!" he announced.
"What woman?"
"Mrs. Butt."