Mr. Sutton, with a few jesting remarks, bade the boy good-evening, and the latter hastened on to the brick mansion, where he busied himself for a half hour in doing up a few chores that Michael, the hired man, had left for him.
When these were finished, he went into the house, with a good appetite for his supper, which was awaiting him.
The old ladies were greatly pleased to learn he had been paid such a large sum for capturing the lion, and they did not regret the fright they had suffered, since it resulted in such substantial good for their favorite.
"Now, if you could only find our silverware," said Aunt Annie, "what a nice sum you would earn!"
"Wouldn't I? I'd just roll in wealth, and I'd make mother so happy she'd feel miserable."
"But I'm afraid we shall never see the silver again," observed Miss Lizzie, with a deep sigh.
"Wasn't there some money taken, too?"
"Yes; several hundred dollars. But we don't mind that, for we can get along without it; but the silverware, you know, has been in the family for more than two centuries."
"You haven't owned it all that time, have you?"
"My goodness! How old do you suppose we are?" asked the amused old lady.