"From whom do these reports come?"
"I have traced them to Josey herself."
"Will you repeat them?"
She did so without a word of comment.
"Pshaw such stories are simply absurd. We know our Ellen too well to believe such nonsense. She has become a truthful girl, Miss Granby; and it will take a good deal more than the testimony of a miss who has been convicted of lying as often as Josey Maxwell has, to make me doubt her word."
"If there was nothing wrong in the conversation," murmured the lady, "what motive could there have been for concealment?"
"Ellen, look me in the face," said her uncle, in his abrupt way. "Was there anything in the conversation alluded to which you would be ashamed to tell me or your aunt?"
"Oh, no, indeed, sir! I was only—Yes, now I do remember a boy's name; it was Hiram Jenkins, at the store. I was—But I mustn't repeat it. I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll go right away with you to Josey's house and ask her to let me tell you."
"Yes, that will do finely. Miss Granby, I make a request that you will remain here till I return."
Not a word was spoken during the short ride, though the doctor could see how closely every variation in his countenance was watched by the excited child.