“Of course you would, my dear, and I should not have spilled and wasted some on the floor.”
“Had we not better tell Edward?” said Mrs Bedford. “No; don’t worry him,” said Aunt Georgie; “he has quite enough on his mind.”
“The boys must have been at it for something,” said Ida, quietly.
“Boys have been at what?” said Norman, who was with the others in the veranda as these words were said.
“Been taking the flour,” said Hetty.
“What should we take the flour for?” cried Rifle, indignantly.
“No, my dears, I do not suspect you, and I am sorry to make the charge, for I have always thought Shanter lazy, but honest.”
“Why, you don’t mean to say you believe poor old Shanter would steal flour, do you, aunt?” said Rifle, indignantly.
“I regret it very much, my dear, but the flour has been stolen, some spilled on the floor, and there were the prints of wide-toed feet in the patch.”
“Here, hi! Shanter, Tam o’!” cried Rifle. “Coo-ee!”