Ber. (taking pipe). Jumping jingoes! Seth Mason’s! Got his name on it!
Ariel. I thought some one was up here just before you came up. It seemed to me that some one who was small was moving around. I was over by the bureau and I can’t see across the room, you know. I was startled for a second and by the time I got my senses together to cross the room they were gone.
Ber. Um! So? (Looks about. Crosses room away from Ariel. He suddenly stoops and looks under sofa.) This is a queer mix up, ain’t it? (Bell rings.) What’s that?
Ariel. That’s the house bell. Dad had it connected so we could hear it when we were over here and Hannah was out. I think she is out now, I will just run over to the house if you will excuse me.
Ber. Certain! (Ariel exits. Ber. goes to sofa.) Come out! Come out here, I say! It’s no use, Sammy! I have caught you square! You might as well come out! All right then! I’ll bring you out myself. (Reaches under sofa and pulls Sam. out by one foot. Sam. yells and kicks.) Belay there! That ain’t no way to act with your old uncle. I ain’t going to hurt you. (Sits down on sofa and holds Sam. in his arms.) Now hush up, and tell Uncle Cran the whole business.
Sam. (struggling to get away). No! I ain’t got nothin’ to tell!
Ber. Oh, yes, you have, Sammy! Sit still! You tell Uncle Cran what you stole all those pipes for. I was the only one in the room that was watching you this morning, and I guessed somewheres near the truth. You were frightened when that pipe fell out of Mr. Gordon’s pocket, and then when you found that no one was going to suspect you, you opened up the sugar-bowl and took the other one out, and now you just brought this one up here and put it in Arey’s hammock.
Sam. (thoroughly frightened). Pa will kill me!
Ber. No, he won’t. Now listen, Sammy, this whole thing has got to come out some way. Your father will get it out of you, and you know how he will get it. Now, you tell me the truth and I’ll promise you that I will make things right with your father. I won’t let him touch you. You can trust me, can’t you?
Sam. (holding him around the neck). Yes, Uncle Cran.