“Like a coward, and make him feel sure that I knew all this and told a lie. No, I won’t. I’ll just show him.”
“Show him what?”
“That I’m innocent.”
“Yes, that’s all very well; but how are you going to do it?”
“Find out the people and let him see.”
“Yes, but how?” cried Tom eagerly, as he knocked an apple off one of the trees and tried to take a bite, but it was so hard and green that he jerked it away.
“I don’t know yet; but someone does all these cowardly things, and I mean to find it out before I’ve done.”
“Oh, I am disappointed!” said Tom dolefully.
“Disappointed! Why? Won’t you help me?”
“Yes, I will. But I thought we were going to find an island of our own somewhere out in the mere, where no one ever goes, and have no end of fun.”