Grace looked after him awhile, as one stunned; and then turned to her
mother.
"Let us go home."
"Go home? Why there, dear?"
"Let me go home; you need not come. I am sick of this world. Is it
not enough to have misery and death (and she pointed to the row of
corpses), but we must have sin, too, wherever we turn! Meanness and
theft:--and ingratitude too!" she added, in a lower tone.
She went homeward; her mother, in spite of her entreaties, accompanied
her; and, for some reason or other, did not lose sight of her all that
day, or for several days after.
Meanwhile, Willis had beckoned the Doctor aside. His face was serious
and sad, and his lips were trembling.
"This is a very shocking business, sir. Of course, you've told the
Lieutenant."
"Not yet, my good sir."
"But--excuse my boldness; what plainer way of getting it back from the
rascal, whoever he is?"
"Wait awhile," said Tom; "I have my reasons."
"But, sir--for the honour of the place, the matter should be cleared
up; and till the thief's found, suspicion will lie on a dozen innocent
men; myself among the rest, for that matter."
"You?" said Tom, smiling. "I don't know who I have the honour to speak
to; but you don't look much like a gentleman who wishes for a trip to
Botany Bay."
The old man chuckled, and then his face dropped again.
"I'm glad you take the thing so like a man, sir; but it is really no
laughing matter.
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