He bade the Principal good-bye and started off with a buoyance that surprised him, for he was stiff and sore, and he knew his standing among his mates was lost.
Not till he was nearly home did he think of his troop. Would the Scoutmaster take away his badges? He must, if the theft of funds was known. For Mr. Streeter the return of the money would not be enough; he must know that Billy did not commit the theft.
“He need never know; they have made up the sum,” Billy thought. Yet instantly he knew that was neither justification nor proof of his innocence.
CHAPTER XIII
ERMINIE TIES ANOTHER KNOT
BILLY told his mother all except Erminie’s connection with the situation, which his stubborn loyalty withheld. But Mrs. Bennett had seen the circular and drawn her own conclusions, which were the same as Bess’s, though the older woman saw there was no way of reaching Jim Barney. She resented the heartlessness of the girl who could allow Billy to bear the blame alone, though of course she did not connect her in any way with the theft.
“Billy, Billy! I thought you had at least learned to keep your money in a bank.”
“I told you the bank was closed.”
“I could have banked it for you.”
“I never thought of that.”