Merry whirled, threw up his hands, gave a cry of feigned consternation.
"What have you done?" he demanded, wringing his hands.
"Why, I jest took up the hat arter yeou put it onter ther table, and all the money was gone aout of it."
"What made you touch it? Why did you do it? That is why the money disappeared. You should have let me handle it."
"Look here, young man," said the farmer, trying to appear indignant, "yeou can't come this on me! Whut have yeou done with that money? Half of it b'longs to me, an' b'gosh! I want it. Yeou must hev took it frum the hat."
"I appeal to the audience. I simply placed the hat on the table, while I prepared to count and divide the money with you. You caught it up, and this is the result. You, sir, and you alone, must assume the responsibility."
"That's right, Josiah!" cried the farmer's wife. "You're alwus doin' some fool thing, an' naow you've done the biggest fool thing of your life! If yeou'd let things alone yeou'd be better off."
The audience shouted with laughter once more, and Frank congratulated himself on the outcome of his little piece of legerdemain.
But the old farmer seemed ready to shed tears.