“From Mr. Barriscale’s lawn.”
“I thought as much. I recognized it. Who helped you take it?”
For the first time Hal hesitated. Hitherto his answers had been prompt and frank. But he could not betray his companions. He had promised not to do so. He would not have done so if he had not promised.
“Well?” His father was looking at him sternly and questioningly. He knew that he must make some reply.
“Well,” he said, “you see, it’s this way. We all promised not to peach on each other. And, if you’d just as soon, I’d rather not tell.”
“As you like about that. I’ll not press the question. But, in that event, I take it that you are ready, yourself, to assume full responsibility for the damage that has been done to the statue.”
“But, father, we didn’t break it. We didn’t bring it here.”
“That may be. But you removed it from Mr. Barriscale’s lawn. That was the primary offense. If you had not carried it away in the first place it would not have been broken.”
“I suppose not.”
“Of course not. And since you choose to assume full responsibility for the damage, you must make it right with Mr. Barriscale.”