"That is, if Paul remains all right; but you can't be sure of that. He may slip up any time, and become a boarder at the expense of the State."
"If you have come here to slander Paul, you can hardly expect that you will be welcome."
"Oh, well, I know that Paul is your idol. He can't do anything wrong. I shouldn't wonder if he was in a scrape now."
"What kind of a scrape? Don't leave me in suspense, Stephen."
Stephen Palmer was not over supplied with brains, and he was foolish enough to fall into the trap, and speak of what he could not be supposed to know.
"I heard a report," he said, "that Paul had been arrested for stealing in the Milwaukee train to-day."
"Where did you get your information?" asked Mrs. Palmer.
"She doesn't believe it," said Stephen to himself. "Never mind; she may have to before long."
"I don't care to mention where I heard it," he answered.
"It is not true."