"And you, Napoleon?"
"I have said, papa, that I did not do it."
"That's a falsehood!" exclaimed Severia, who, being an old domestic, took great liberties.
"If you were not a woman!" said Napoleon, shaking his small clenched hand at her.
"Silence! Napoleon," said his father, sternly.
"It must have been you, Napoleon," said Severia; "for after putting the fruit into the cupboard, I never left the ante-room, and not a soul passed through except the archdeacon and yourself. If he has not taken them—"
"I wish truly I had," said the old gentleman, "and then I should not have the grief of seeing one of my children persist in a lie."
"Uncle, I am not guilty," repeated Napoleon firmly.
"Do not be obstinate, but confess," said his father.
"Yes," added the canon; "'tis the only way to escape punishment."