“This is the worst blow yet,” she moaned. “Oh, why have they taken my boy—our support?”
“And my poor Mary,” cried Mrs. Little.
“And my boys, Tom and Jerry,” added Aunt Vinnie.
It was a hopeless group, and Joe, the only one among them who could look bravely up, had all she could do to try and console them.
“Let us hope for the best,” she said. “They cannot harm Rob. He has surely done no wrong.”
“But we are so helpless,” said Mr. Little. “That infernal——”
“Hush! Hush!” spoke up Joe. “You must be careful how you speak. We can only hope and wait.”
“Oh, that Gideon should come home at this time and under such conditions as these!” moaned the distracted wife.
“Don’t condemn him,” said Joe, courageously. “We know all the others are innocent, and we will think he is until we know differently.”
“He says he is not guilty of this terrible thing. But what will become of us? We are so helpless!”