“You haven’t had any serious trouble with him?”
The widow hesitated. “I haven’t wanted to report his behavior to the Court officials, because if I do, I know they’ll pack him off to the industrial school. I’m trying to give him a chance.”
“But he has caused you worry? There’s more to it than restlessness and running away?”
“Well, a few things have disappeared,” Mrs. Jones admitted reluctantly. “Nothing of much value, but it bothers me.”
“What are some of the things that have been taken?”
“Jack always is sneaking into the ice box. He’ll pack himself a lunch and disappear for hours.”
“A typical boy’s trick.”
“Oh, I’m not complaining about the food. Though it plagues me that he doesn’t come right out honest like and ask for it.”
“The boy takes other things?”
“One of my black silk dresses disappeared. I’d dry cleaned it with gasoline and hung it up in the shed to air out. To tell you the truth, I forgot about it for several days. When I went to get it, well it was gone.”