Mother had actually got tears in her eyes. "I didn't mean you to have that bother, my dear," said she. "I didn't think the man would, after all I said." "The man only did his duty," says Mary. "He was quite right to come. Walter was out; but I had a long talk with him. That was the first I heard of the watch being lost." "And you're come to tell us you're sorry," says mother. "Not only to say I am sorry," Mary answered. A sudden stab seemed to go all through me from head to foot. I never felt anything like it before. I didn't half know where I was, nor what I was doing. For Mary drew out of her pocket a little rolled-up parcel, and laid it on the table, undoing the string. And when she opened the brown paper, there lay my gold watch and chain. CHAPTER VIII. FOUND OUT. MOTHER didn't say a word. She sat down, and a queer grey look came over her face. I stood leaning against the dresser, feeling—but I couldn't tell what I felt. All the wrong I had done, all the falsehoods I had spoken, had been for nothing. I hadn't even the poor little reward that I had sinned for! I had not shielded Walter from blame. Somehow or other the matter had come to light. Mary said nothing either. She looked so sad, so pitying. We couldn't all have kept silence many seconds, I suppose, but it seemed an age. Before anybody spoke, father walked in. "I haven't a moment," says he cheerily, "but somebody tells me Mary Russell has come, and I wanted to make sure. Why, so she is! Well, Mary, how d'you—Hallo!" For his eyes fell on mother's face, and then on the watch and chain lying just in front of Mary. Father forgot to finish his greeting, and the hand he was reaching out to Mary dropped down by his side. "Hallo! How's this?" says he. "I have brought back Kitty's watch," says Mary. "Brought it back!" says father. "Back from where?" Mary turned to me, speaking under her breath— "Kitty, if you haven't told yet, tell now! tell now!" whispered she. But father heard, and such a look of pain came into his face as might have made anybody's heart ache. I never can bear to think of his look that moment. "No—no!" says he. "Too late for that! I'll have no more questioning of Kitty. I never would have believed that the word of a child of mine mightn't be depended on! Tell me yourself, Mary, and quick, for I must be off. Where does the watch come from?" "From Walter," she said sorrowfully. "He has been the tempter." "Whose tempter?" Mary spoke clear and firm, as if she wouldn't mince matters, either for Walter's sake or for mine. "Walter was the tempter," she said; "and Kitty has been wrong to give in to him. Walter was in difficulties, and he got the watch from Kitty to raise money on—borrowed it, he says! But—" Father stood like one struck by a bolt, his head hanging down.