"I will go to his room and see."
"If you please."
Scott reported that his cousin was not in.
"Really," thought Mrs. Little, "if the amount were larger, I might think it necessary to call in a detective."
Possibly the pocketbook had fallen on the carpet. She instituted a search, but it proved unsuccessful.
Fifteen minutes later Loammi came in.
"I wonder whether the loss has been discovered?" he said to himself. "I'll find ma, and then I shall learn."
"Good-evening, ma," he said.
"Where have you been, Loammi?"
"Oh, walking round with Paul Granger. Has Scott got home?"