Judge Holden’s gray eyebrows drew together in a frown. Jacqueline squirmed beneath his relentless scrutiny. She turned for relief to Aunt Martha, and was dismayed to see the misery in her white face.
“Why, what’s it all about?” cried Jacqueline defensively.
“Look at me!” said the Judge. “You haven’t told us everything, have you, Caroline? Think a little now.”
“Oh, Jackie, tell us all about it!” Aunt Martha burst out with a sharp cry. “You found them, didn’t you? And you didn’t realize——”
“Tut, tut! Martha!” the Judge interposed sternly. “You know you promised. Now, Caroline, when this little fat girl showed you her presents, there was a handbag among them, wasn’t there?”
Jacqueline nodded. She felt her face growing red. Not with fright or shame, and that old Judge needn’t think it. She was just getting mad clear through, as she realized the treachery with which Eleanor had treated her.
“There was a five-dollar bill in the bag, wasn’t there?” the Judge went on. “And she gave it to you?”
“I’ll say she did!” cried Jacqueline. “The horrid little sneaking tell-tale!”
“Hm!” said the Judge. “Gave you a five-dollar bill, did she? What for?”
Jacqueline looked Judge Holden straight in the face.