“I will!  Ben, who stole the fruit and nuts from my carriage?”

Ben dug his hands into his pockets and turned sullenly away.

“Did this poor boy steal them?  For if I find he did, I will send him to prison.  And I know you wouldn’t like to see an innocent boy sent to prison.  So tell me the truth.  Did he, or did he not, steal the articles in question?”

“He did not; not so much as one of them,” replied the younger Burghe.

“Did Alfred take them?”

Ben was sullenly silent.

“Did Alfred take them?” repeated Mr. Middleton.

“I won’t tell you!  So there now!  I told you that fellow didn’t! but I won’t tell you who did!  It is real hard of you to want me to tell on my own brother!” exclaimed Master Ben, walking off indignantly.

“That is enough; indeed the finding of the articles upon Alfred’s person was enough,” said Mr. Middleton.

“I think this poor boy’s word ought to have been enough!” said Claudia.

“And now, sir!” continued Mr. Middleton, turning to Master Burghe; “you have been convicted of theft, falsehood, and cowardice—­yes, and of the meanest falsehood and the basest cowardice I ever heard of.  Under these circumstances, I cannot permit your future attendance upon my school.  You are no longer a proper companion for my pupils.  To-morrow I shall call upon your father, to tell him what has happened and advise him to send you to sea, under some strict captain, for a three or five years’ cruise!”

“If you blow me to the governor, I’ll be shot to death if I don’t knife you, old fellow!” roared the young reprobate.

“Begone, sir!” was the answer of Mr. Middleton.

“Oh, I can go!  But you look out!  You’re all a set of radicals, anyhow! making equals of all the rag, tag, and bobtail about.  Look at Claudia there!  What would Judge Merlin say if he was to see his daughter with her arm around that boy’s neck!”

Claudia’s eyes kindled dangerously, and she made one step towards the offender, saying: 

“Hark you, Master Alfred Burghe.  Don’t you dare to take my name between your lips again! and don’t you dare to come near me as long as you live, or even to say to anybody that you were ever acquainted with me!  If you do I will make my papa have you hanged!  For I do not choose to know a thief, liar, and coward!”

“Claudia!  Claudia!  Claudia!  You shock me beyond all measure, my dear!” exclaimed the lady in a tone of real pain; and then lowering her voice she whispered—­“‘Thief, liar, coward!’ what shocking words to issue from a young lady’s lips.”

“I know they are not nice words, Aunt Middleton, and if you will only teach me nicer ones I will use them instead.  But are there any pretty words for ugly tricks?”

As this question was a “poser” that Mrs. Middleton did not attempt to answer, the little lady continued very demurely: 

“I will look in ‘Webster’ when I get home and see if there are.”