It was Mrs. Cullen, and
their hearts sank.
"Come here, boys," Miss Bertram said; "I have been hearing a strange
story from Mrs. Cullen, of two boys breaking into her house while she
was away this afternoon, frightening her dying husband so much that the
doctor fears he won't outlive the night, and breaking, and stealing
things from her pantry. She insists upon it that it was you; her husband
told her so, but I cannot believe it. You would have no object in
behaving so wickedly."
Dudley's cheeks were crimson, and he hung his head in shame. Roy, as
usual, was not daunted.
"It's all a great mistake, Aunt Judy, we never stole a thing; we went
to see him and take him some pudding and do him good. We had to get in
at the pantry window because the doors were all locked, and we did spill
some milk and some soup, and broke a few plates. We couldn't make him
understand we weren't robbers, so we came away again--and we're very
sorry."
Mrs. Cullen turned furiously upon them, and her language was so abusive,
that Miss Bertram sent the boys away, and brought the poor woman to
reason by quiet, persuasive words.
"I will enquire into the matter. I cannot quite understand their motive;
boys are thoughtless, and perhaps their intentions were good.
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