“I’d pay him in a minute but I haven’t any money, except what little I’ve got in the bank.”
“Then you must earn it; provided he is willing to make a cash settlement.”
At this point Hal’s mother broke into the conversation.
“I just knew something was going to happen,” she wailed, “when you went out with those rough boys last night. Why couldn’t you have stayed at home; or else gone with Emily and Lucy?”
“Oh, we didn’t want any boys with us!” exclaimed Emily. “We just dressed up in old clothes and false faces, and went around visiting. We had the best time, and Mrs. Grimstone gave us doughnuts and——”
“Emily, be still!” admonished Mrs. McCormack. “You wouldn’t speak so lightly of your pleasures if you understood what a terrible misfortune has fallen on us.”
Mr. McCormack had been smiling grimly at the interruption, but Hal had paid little attention to it. He was considering the course that lay before him.
“I suppose,” he said, “I’ll have to take it back home.”
“If you refer to the statue,” replied Mr. McCormack, “I think undoubtedly that is the best course to pursue.”