I know how painful it must be to you both to have been obliged to bring so grave a matter to my ears.

Thank you; I will consider what is the best course to adopt.

If it can be avoided, I shall so arrange that your names do not appear in the matter." For some little time after the boys had left him Mr.Porson remained in deep thought; then he rose, put on his hat, and went out, first inquiring of the servant if she knew where the woman who sold cakes to the boys lived.
"Yes, sir; she lives in a little house in Mill Street; it's not a regular shop, but there are a few cakes in one of the windows; I have bought things there for the kitchen, knowing that she dealt with the young gentlemen." Mr.Porson made his way to Mill Street and easily found the house he was in search of.

On being questioned the old woman at first showed some reluctance in answering his questions, but Mr.Porson said sharply: "Now, dame, I want no nonsense; I am acquainted with the whole affair, but wish to have it from your own lips.

Unless you tell me the whole truth not a cake will you sell my boys in future." Thus pressed Mrs.Brown at once related the story of Mather having borrowed some money of her; of her threats to report him unless he paid, and of his having given her five shillings on the following Saturday, saying that he would give her the rest in a few days, but could pay no more then; and how, after repeated disappointments, she had now given him till Saturday to settle the debt.
"If he didn't pay, sir, I meant to have come to ye and telled ye all about it, for I hate lies, and Master Mather has lied to me over and over again about it; but seeing that Saturday hasn't come I don't like telling ye the story, as he may have meant to keep his word to me this time." "Here are the five shillings which he borrowed of you; as to the other money, you will never get it, and I hope it will be a lesson to you; and mind, if I find that you ever allow the boys to run an account with you further than the following Saturday after it is incurred, you will never come into my field or playground again." Mr.Porson then went to the chief constable's, and after a short conversation with him a constable was told off to accompany him.