“Why should I tell you anything?”
“Because it’s the right thing to do, Jack. We have a particular reason for being interested in what became of that black silk dress.”
“You’ve accused me of being a thief.”
“No, Jack. The Cubs were a bit abrupt perhaps. They believe in being square and honest. Naturally it made them sore to think you might have taken the biscuits.”
“I told you, I don’t know nothin’ about ’em!”
“And we accept your word, Jack.”
“Then you said I took wood and the Widow’s black dress.”
“No, Jack, we merely were telling you what she said. Unfortunately, when one has a past record, it’s apt to plague one unjustly.”
“Sure, I’m a bad kid! I know!” Jack said, his eyes flashing. “Okay! Send me to an industrial school! But try to keep me there! I’ll run away a thousand times!”
“You’re talking wildly now, Jack. No one wants to send you away. Quite the opposite. Mrs. Jones likes you. She’s willing to overlook a lot to keep you with her.”