Katy's head sank on her breast. "Yes, sir."
"Alvin, look at me!"
Alvin lifted his head slowly. He saw jail yawning before him. If they searched his house, they could still find a few of Katy's silver coins. Then under the pressure of fear—Alvin as yet felt no shame—his mind worked to some purpose. There was one possible defense to make; this he offered.
"Katy often gave me money and put it in that place for me," he said, boldly. "There I got it many times. Ain't—" Alvin's normal school training suddenly forsook him—"ain't it so, Katy?"
"You must be wandering in your mind, Alvin," said the squire, scornfully.
"There he will not wander far," cried Bevy with a shrill laugh.
Alvin rose from his chair and approached Katy. Color returned to his cheek, his eyes brightened.
"Ain't it so, Katy, that you often put money in that hole for me?"
"Humbug!" cried the squire.
But Alvin persisted. He went nearer to Katy, and with single united motion Katy's relatives sprang toward him. Aunt Sally put her arm round her niece, Bevy made a threatening motion toward Alvin's ear, Uncle Edwin seized him by the arm. But Alvin grew ever bolder. Despite the threats of Bevy and the hand of Edwin, he took another step toward Katy.