The veneer of his fine speech had all been dropped, and the Rev. Johnson was talking naturally enough now.
“What did you do with that money you took from her?”
“What did I do wid—? What money?”
Mr. Graeme showed impatience for the first time.
“The four hundred and fifty-five dollars you got from her. Was there more than that?”
At this point Mam' Lyddy opened the door and came in. She looked somewhat mystified and rather disturbed, but she said nothing. She only took her stand, and with arms folded waited silent and observant.
The negro saw that Mr. Graeme knew of the fact and answered promptly.
“Oh! You are mistaken, sir. I have taken no money of her. You can ax her. She had a sum of money which I as a favor to her invested for her. You can ask the sister there. I suppose you refer to that!”
“Invested! In what?”
“Ah—ur—in—ur—the Afro-American Sister's Loan and Trust Association. I have promised to invest it in that for her.”