At this moment, Mrs. Rand and the minister whom she had met on the way, entered the store.
“Glad to see you, widder,” said Silas Tripp, grimly. “I hope you ain’t a-goin’ to stand up for your son in his didoes.”
“I shall certainly stand by Chester, Mr. Tripp. What is the trouble?”
“Only that he came into my store in the silent watches of last night,” answered Silas, sarcastically, “and made off with thirty-seven dollars and sixty cents.”
“It’s a falsehood, whoever says it,” exclaimed Mrs. Rand, hotly.
“I supposed you’d stand up for him,” sneered Silas.
“And for a very good reason. During the silent watches of last night, as you express it, Chester was at home and in bed to my certain knowledge.”
“While his handkerchief walked over here and robbed the store,” suggested Silas Tripp, with withering sarcasm, as he held up the telltale evidence of Chester’s dishonesty.
“Was this handkerchief found in the store?” asked Mrs. Rand, in surprise.
“Yes, ma’am, it was, and I calculate you’ll find it hard to get over that evidence.”