He was still searching painfully, when the sound of footsteps was heard in the outer room. A suspicion darted into Joe’s mind, and clung there like a snake. With shaking hands he put his treasures back in the cupboard, heaping them carelessly, instead of ranging them in order, as he loved to do. He turned the key, noticing for the first time what a common pattern it was, and how easily any other key in the house might fit the lock; then, putting it in his pocket, he went into the outer room, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Brazybone was standing with her back to him, taking off her bonnet leisurely, and humming a psalm tune as she did so; she had been at a “singing tea-party,” and had enjoyed herself immensely. Her brother-in-law took her by the shoulders and whirled her round to face him; his eyes were blazing, the muscles on his temples stood out like brown cords, and his jaws worked for a moment before the words would come. “You—you—” he stammered, “you critter, you’ve got my ear-bobs! Who give you leave to ransack my cupboard and take my joolery?” For a moment Mrs. Brazybone was at a loss; but the next moment she spoke, with good assurance. “Was you thinkin’ of wearin’ ’em yourself, Joe? I’m sure I’d never have tetched ’em, if I’d ha’ thought you wanted to put ’em in your own handsome ears.” “You critter!” said Joe again, shaking her great shoulders, till her chin waggled to and fro. “Take them bobs out, hear? Ain’t you satisfied with the rest of what you are, ’thout addin’ thief on to it? Will you take ’em out, or shall I take ’em out for ye?” Mrs. Brazybone thought rapidly; her eyes brightened for a moment with lust of battle, but she felt Joe’s hands like iron on her shoulders, and decided for peace. Her voice took on a tone of whining bluster. “Well, Joseph Brazybone! if I ever thought to hear your brother’s widder called a thief in _this_ world! Poor Jabez! I’m glad he ain’t here; ’t would break his heart to hear me spoke so of.” Joe snorted, but she saw no relenting in his eyes, so she began slowly to take out the earrings. “They’re terrible paltry bobs,” she said. “I should think you’d be glad to see ’em worn by a respectable lady, Joseph, ’stead of takin’ on this way!” and she sniffed, as she handed the precious ornaments to their owner. “Respectable!” roared Joe, who had kept an anxious silence while the earrings were being removed, but with them safe in his hands now felt that he could give the rein to his feelings. “_You_ respectable, you half-fruz jelly-fish? You’ve never ben _threatened_ with bein’ respectable! Don’t you be afraid, Mother Brazybone, nobody’ll ever say that of ye! But now, see here! you let my belongings alone, do ye hear? from henceforth now and forever, so help ye; or I’ll trim yer ears to match yer nose, and then the hull island ’ud fly away in the air to get out of the sight of ye.”