“It is enough that he is accused, and probably guilty.”
“I will investigate the matter, Mrs. Briggs. If I am convinced that the boy is innocent, he shall be invited.”
Mrs. Briggs was about to make an indignant protest, when the servant, who had answered the door-bell, opened the door and ushered in the innocent cause of the heated discussion,—Gilbert Greyson.
CHAPTER XX.
A FEMALE FOE.
There was a moment of embarrassing silence after the entrance of Gilbert. Mrs. Briggs, as she afterwards expressed it, was paralyzed with astonishment at the effrontery of the boy. Randolph waited with curiosity to hear what his parents would say, while Mr. Briggs was silent merely because he was taken by surprise. He was the first to speak, and his tone, though a little embarrassed, was yet not without kindness.
“Good-evening, Gilbert,” he said. “Won’t you sit down and have some dinner?”
Mrs. Briggs looked daggers at her husband. How could he dream of extending such an invitation to Gilbert, under the circumstances.
“No, thank you,” said Gilbert, “I have already dined.”
“Then take a seat. We shall soon be through dinner.”
“This is an unusual time to call,” said Mrs. Briggs frigidly, breaking silence for the first time.