But for the presence of the groceries, this would have had a discouraging effect upon Mrs. Trafton, but her mind was diverted by her curiosity, and she said apprehensively:
“I hope you didn’t buy on credit, Robert? I never can pay so much money!”
“Mr. Sands isn’t the man to sell on credit. Aunt Jane. No, I paid cash. And the best of it is,” continued our hero, “I have some money left.”
Here he produced and spread on the table before his aunt’s astonished eyes the balance of the money.
Mrs. Trafton was startled. The possession of so much money seemed to her incomprehensible.
“I hope you came by the money honestly, Robert?”
“What have I ever done, Aunt Jane, that you should think me a thief?” asked Robert, half amused, half annoyed.
“Nothing, my dear boy; but I can’t understand how you came to have so much money.”
“I see I must explain, aunt. A strong wind blew it to me.”
“Then somebody must have lost it. You shouldn’t have spent it till you had tried to find the owner.”