“Come and show me where, Bebeko, and Babba will get the ‘loukoumi.’ ”
Bebeko scrambled down and took hold of her hand, and led her, all the others following, into his parents’ bedroom. Then, pointing to a spot at the foot of the chest of drawers, he said triumphantly:—
“There.”
His mother looked very vexed.
“Those children!” she cried. “Whatever they see, they take. All this fuss we have had for nothing!”
“Go upstairs, now,” said her husband, “and tell that poor girl that you have found the money. She was half mad with fright when you told her you would send her to prison.”
“It does not do her any harm,” said Mattina’s mistress, “if she did not do it this time, it will be a lesson for her if she ever feels inclined to steal in the future. However, she may as well come down and take the children to bed,” and she took a lighted candle, and went upstairs to unlock the door.
In a moment the others heard an astounded voice exclaiming:—
“Bah! She is not here!”
“Not there! Nonsense!” cried her husband; and they all ran up and peered into the little dark room.