"Yes, I fear the shock was too much for him," said Mrs. Dunham, sorrowfully. "What in the world should have put such an idea into his head?"
"I tell you he is the man that robbed me!" exclaimed Adin Dunham. "I know him by those long teeth. Give me back my thousand dollars, Squire Bates!" he continued piteously. "They were all I had."
"Poor man! I am inexpressibly shocked. I see that my presence excites him, and I will go."
"I hope you will excuse his words, squire. He doesn't know what he says."
"Yes, he does, and he means it too. That man knew I was to bring back a large sum of money, and he lay in wait for me."
"I had better go, I think," said the squire nervously.
Mrs. Dunham followed him from the room, continuing her apologies.
"Don't say a word, my dear madam," said the squire in a sympathetic tone. "I feel for you, indeed I do. To prove it, I will head a subscription to make up to your husband a part of his loss. I will put down fifty dollars."
"You are very kind, Squire Bates. How can I thank you?"
"Don't thank me at all, but rest assured that I will do all I can for Mr. Dunham, notwithstanding his strange delusion respecting myself."