"Ben says so?"
"Yes; he told us of it before we came down. We are going to look for her now," answered Lawry.
What Lawry had said excited the suspicion of his mother, as she thought of the malicious words of her older son on the preceding evening. She was excited and indignant; she feared he had executed the wicked purpose which she was confident he had cherished. She went into the house, and upstairs to the room where Ben still lay in bed.
"Benjamin, what have you done?" demanded she.
"I haven't done anything. I'm a nobody here!" replied the inebriated young man, with surly emphasis.
"What did you mean last night when you said that you should run that steamer, or nobody should?" asked Mrs. Wilford.
"I meant just what I said. You and Lawry both said I shouldn't run her—and she has gone to the bottom again; she'll stay there this time."
"Oh, Benjamin!" said his mother, bursting into tears. "How could you be so wicked?"
"Did you think I'd stay round here, and be a nobody?" growled the wretched young man.
"Did you sink that steamer?"