CHAPTER XII.
A COMPLICATION OF TROUBLES.
Faith could think of no words then to comfort Mr. Watkins. His grief was too poignant. She changed the subject.
When he left the house to go home, she put on her hat. There was something she wished to say to him that she could not say before her mother. There was an errand at the grocery that gave her an excuse, and as the hour was not late, Faith welcomed the opportunity.
As soon as they were in the street she told him her experience with the store detective and asked his advice in case she should be annoyed in the future.
Before the words were fairly out of her mouth she wished she had not spoken. There was confusion and shame upon her companion's face, and his lips trembled strangely when he tried to answer her.
For a moment Faith could hardly believe her senses. She stared at him stupidly, while her limbs trembled beneath her.
Instantly a suspicion darted through her brain. She remembered that he, too, had been in the superintendent's office that evening, and that it was possible, even probable, that he knew something about the money.
"Oh, Miss Marvin, this is dreadful!" he managed to say at last. "I did not dream that they would settle upon you! I thought, that is, I hoped, that they had dropped the matter!"