Joshua stared in amazement, and Mrs. Drummond exclaimed, "What makes you talk so, Mr. Drummond? What has he done?"
"What has he done?" ejaculated Mr. Drummond, adding, rather ungrammatically, "He's a thief, that's what he's done."
"How can you say such things of your own son?"
"Shut up, Mrs. Drummond; you don't know what you're talking about, or you wouldn't defend him. It would serve him right if I should flog him within an inch of his life."
"If you try it," said Joshua, sullenly, "I'll have you arrested for assault and battery."
"Take care, boy! or you may find yourself in custody for theft."
"What do all these dreadful words mean?" asked Mrs. Drummond, distressed. "Tell me, Walter, if you know."
"I would rather Mr. Drummond informed you," said Walter.
"I'll tell you, Mrs. Drummond," said her husband. "That boy sold a shawl a fortnight ago, when alone in the store, and pocketed the money."