"I don't know. I want to be. Father and mother were, and——" the boy stopped.
"I must know more about it," said Clarice, earnestly; "you must listen for yourself and me too, Owen, when you go again, and try to remember all you can to tell me."
When they returned to Barmston, they found Mr. Hadleigh evidently in a bad temper. He was talking very loudly, and seemed considerably annoyed. The moment he caught sight of Owen, he called him to him.
"Didn't you put out that order for Mr. Davenport yesterday? I gave it into your hands."
"Yes, sir, I did it. I weighed out the things, and wrapped them up."
"This comes of trusting to boys," he said, bitterly; "but you seemed different to most. Mr. Davenport has just been in, and says the things never arrived."
"I packed them up all right," said Owen, respectfully, but firmly.
"Whose place was it to take them out?"
"It was David's round."
"Then the matter lies between you and David. Which of you stole the goods?"