She counted them over, and then, looking up sharply, said, with a frown,"There's a penny short. Where is it?"
"I was so hungry," pleaded Mark, "that I bought an apple,—only a little one."
"You bought an apple, did you?" said the woman, menacingly. "So that's the way you spend my money, you little thief?"
"I was so faint and hungry," again pleaded the boy.
"What business had you to be hungry? Didn't you have some breakfast this morning?"
"I had a piece of bread."
"That's more than you earned. You'll eat me out of house and home, you little thief! But I'll pay you off. I'll give you something to take away your appetite. You won't be hungry any more, I reckon."
She dove her flabby hand into her pocket, and produced a strap, at which the boy gazed with frightened look.
"Don't beat me, Mother Watson," he said, imploringly.
"I'll beat the laziness out of you," said the woman, vindictively. "See if I don't."