"So I thought, and came home as quickly as I could to tell you."
"Percy has lots of spending money, but I doubt if he has twenty dollars at a time," went on Ralph, walking up and down the sitting-room in his thoughtfulness. "But to think he would turn pickpocket!"
"Maybe the money fell from your pocket during the quarrel, and he picked it up."
"It would be just as bad as stealing. He knew it was my money. He saw me put the money in my pocket when he came on the bridge."
"It would certainly seem that it was your bill."
"I'll go down and question Will Dicks about it. Or, perhaps, you did so?"
"No, I only listened to what he told his father, and then came home. If you go down, Ralph, be careful and avoid more trouble."
"If it is really my bill I am not going to stand being cheated."
"Remember, Squire Paget is an influential man——"
"I don't believe his influence will count in this case. But I will be careful," Ralph added, to overcome his mother's anxiety.