When he came to the farm Mr. Grice was resolved to take nothing less than the whole sum that he had with him. Perhaps this was less for the value of the turkey-cock than for the sake of giving the boys such a lesson as to prevent them from ever molesting his poultry again. At any rate, he was inexorable till the frightened Henry had delivered up every farthing in his possession; and then, convinced that no more was forthcoming, he relented so far as to restore the gun, and promise to make no complaint to either of the fathers. At first Henry lived on hopes of being able to restore the money before the hoard should be examined, but Colonel Carey went away, and, as might have been expected, left no present to his brother’s pupils. Still Henry had hopes of the Grevilles, and even when the loss was discovered, hoped to restore it secretly, and make the whole pass off as a joke; but the 1st of August came, Martin and Osmond received their pocket-money, but laughed his entreaty to scorn, telling him that he had shot the turkey-cock, not they. Since that time, his only hope had been in the affair blowing over—as if a sin ever _did_ blow over! “One question I must ask, Miss Fosbrook,” said the Captain, “though after such a course of deceit it hardly makes it worse. Has he told any direct falsehood?” She paused, and recollected. “Yes, Sir,” she said, “I am afraid he did; he flatly told me that he had not touched the baby-house.” “I expected nothing else,” said the Captain gravely. “What has become of Bessie?” “She ran up-stairs. May I go and call her?” said Susan. “I will go myself,” said her father. He found Elizabeth in the school-room, all flushed and tear-stained in the face; and he told her affectionately how much pleased he was with her patience under this false accusation. Delight very nearly set her off crying again, but she managed to say, “It was Miss Fosbrook and Sam and Susie that made me patient, Papa; they were so kind. And nobody would have believed it, if I wasn’t always cross, you know.” “Not cross now, my little woman,” he said smiling. “Oh! I said I never could be cross again, now Mamma is better; but Miss Fosbrook says I shall sometimes feel so, and I do believe she is right, for I was almost cross to Georgie to-day. But she says one may _feel_ cross, and not _be_ cross!” He did not quite know all that his little girl was thinking of; but he patted her fondly, and said, “Yes, there is a great deal to be thankful for, my dear; and I shall trust to you elder ones to give your Mamma no trouble while I am afloat.” “I will try,” said Bessie. “And please, Papa, would you tell Nurse about it? She doesn’t half believe us, and she is so tiresome about Miss Fosbrook!” “Tiresome! what do you mean?” “She always thinks what she does is wrong, and she puts nonsense into Johnnie’s head, and talks about favourites. Mary told Susan it was jealousy.”