Caleb shook his head, smiling.
“He’s been stealing,� said Miss Sarah with conviction.
“Think likely,� said the judge, “but from whom? Not me, Sarah; if it had been from me it would have been fifty cents.�
“I never thought it was from you,� she retorted scornfully, “but I’ve hunted the house over to see if he could have pawned anything and—�
The judge brought his hand down on his knee. “The silver teapot, Sarah!�
She shook her head. “Aunt Charity’s got it; she gave a supper last night and they had their usual fight and she locked him out. He sat on the step all night and came to our house for something to eat; then he showed the fifty-dollar bill. Of course he stole it.�
The judge meditated, looking grim.
It was Trench who made the suggestion. “Isn’t that rather large for campaign money?� he asked mildly.
The judge swore, then he got up and reached for his hat. “I’ll make him take it back,� he said viciously.
“Take it where?� demanded Miss Sarah vaguely.