CHAPTER V.
PAUL TO THE RESCUE.
Of course a contest between a burly ruffian of twenty-five and a little girl of ten could only terminate in one way. Stephen Palmer forcibly opened the closed hand of his little step-sister, and snatched from it the coveted coin, which he exultingly held aloft, crying:
"I told you I would have it, you little minx."
Grace began to cry, and Mrs. Palmer exclaimed, in justifiable indignation:
"Are you not ashamed, Stephen Palmer, to rob a little girl like Grace?"
"Who talks of robbery?" retorted Stephen. "I've only borrowed it from her."
He laughed tauntingly, for he understood, while he spoke, what little chance Grace would have of recovering her money through his voluntary restitution.
"Borrowed it!" repeated Mrs. Palmer, with bitter emphasis. "It is theft, and nothing else."
"Do you call me a thief?" blustered Stephen, scowling.