Next Reuben is called out.
"Do you know he took the apples?" asks the Doctor.
"Don't know," says Reuben,—"but he was by the place, and the stones thrown down."
"And is that sufficient cause, Reuben, for accusing your friend?"
At which, Reuben, shifting his position uneasily from one foot to the other, says,—
"I believe he did, though."
"Stop, Sir!" says the Doctor in a voice that makes Reuben sidle away.
"Here," says Phil, commiserating him in a grand way, and beginning to discharge his pockets on the Doctor's table, "he may have them, if he wants them."
Reuben stares at them a moment in astonishment, then breaks out with a great tremor in his voice, but roundly enough,—
"By George! they're not the same apples at all. I'm sorry I told you that, Phil."