"No, it can't be," said Mrs. Codman, with a feeling of relief which her knowledge of Charlie's habits gave her. "Charlie was not careless, and never went to play on the wharf."
The old man was disappointed to find that his blow had failed of its effect, but ingenious in devising new methods of torture, he now suggested the true cause of Charlie's absence.
"Perhaps," he said, with his cruel gray eyes fixed upon the mother, "perhaps he's been carried off in a ship."
"Carried off in a ship!" faltered Mrs. Codman.
"Yes," said Peter, delighted by the evident dismay with which this suggestion was received.
"But," said Mrs. Codman, not quite comprehending his meaning, "Charlie never had any inclination to go to sea."
"Perhaps they didn't consult him about it," suggested Peter.
"What do you mean?" exclaimed the mother, with startling emphasis, half advancing towards the old man.
"You—you shouldn't be so violent," said Peter, trembling, and starting back in alarm.
"Violent! Deprive a mother of her only child, and she may well show some vehemence."