"What was that you put in the letter-box, Effie?"
"Nothing," said Effie with a laugh.
"Don't say that. I saw you putting something in. Was it a stone?"
"No," said Effie. "It wasn't a stone."
"You know what they do to children who put rubbish in letter-boxes?"
"No."
"They put them in prison."
"Well, they won't put me in prison."
"Yes, they will. And if you don't tell me what it was, I will go in and ask Mr. Chopping to open the box and then send for a policeman."
Effie, who had heard her elders ridiculing and vilifying Mr. Giveen for the past three months, had thought it a fine thing to play a joke of her very own upon him. She knew nothing of the disastrous nature of her act, but suddenly interrupted like this and put off her balance she did not want to confess it. Besides, she had stolen a postage stamp.