“No, I wasn’t hungry.”
“There, you hear that, miss.”
“Perhaps,” said June, “if you let her go this time she will not do so again; please do,” and, turning to the little girl she asked:
“Won’t you promise not to steal again if he will?”
“I can’t promise that, ’cause maybe I’ll have to, but, oh, lady, I don’t want to be locked up,” and as she spoke the great black eyes were turned pleadingly toward June’s face. The defiant look faded away, and a mournful expression settled around the full red lips.
“Oh, come along,” said the officer, “you have your game pretty well learned, but you can’t fool me with your nonsense.”
“You can lock me up if you want to,” she said, as the dusky little form was drawn to its full height. “I ain’t afraid of the dark, nohow.”
“June, dear, come here; do not be seen talking to that little thief,” said Mrs. Wilmer, as she stood on the broad veranda.
“Oh, mama,” said June, as she entered the house, “don’t you feel sorry for that poor little girl?”
“Sorry? Why, no; in another moment she would have carried away every spoon on the table, and I am astonished, June, that you should turn champion for the little sinner.”