“My aunt wanted me to buy a little tea and a loaf of bread with the money.”
“What if she did? Can’t I buy them just as well as you? Hand over that money, Robert Coverdale, or it will be the worse for you.”
“I have no money to hand you.”
“Why haven’t you? You haven’t had a chance to spend it yet. You needn’t lie about it or I will give you a flogging!”
“I never lie,” said Robert proudly. “I told you I haven’t got the money and I haven’t.”
“Then what have you done with it—lost it, eh?”
“I have done nothing with it. Mrs. Jones wouldn’t pay me.”
“And why wouldn’t she pay you?”
“Because she said that you were owing her husband money for drink and she would credit it on your account.”
As Robert said this he looked his uncle full in the eye and his uncle flushed a little with transient shame.