Jack however, was not willing to allow the matter to pass.
“What else did Mrs. Jones say I took?” he demanded.
“I don’t recall that she accused you,” Mr. Hatfield answered. “She merely was disturbed because of the wood and a few other trifles.”
“Someone else had been taking that wood. What else did she say was missing?”
“A black dress,” Dan answered. “One with jet buttons.”
“Of course we don’t think you’d have any use for a woman’s dress,” Dan went on, watching the boy intently.
Jack made no reply. After a long while, he said:
“I didn’t take that dress. If I were a mind to though, I could tell you something about it!”
“Suppose you do just that,” Mr. Hatfield encouraged him.
Jack smiled in a superior, insolent way. The wave of friendliness which he briefly had displayed, now was entirely gone. Once more he seemed the arrogant, defiant runaway.