'Do I think them honest--yes, they played honestly.' 'I'll tell you why I ask,' rejoined Nell.

'I lost some money last night--out of my bedroom, I am sure.

Unless it was taken by somebody in jest--only in jest, dear grandfather, which would make me laugh heartily if I could but know it--' 'Who would take money in jest ?' returned the old man in a hurried manner.

'Those who take money, take it to keep.

Don't talk of jest.' 'Then it was stolen out of my room, dear,' said the child, whose last hope was destroyed by the manner of this reply.
'But is there no more, Nell ?' said the old man; 'no more anywhere?
Was it all taken--every farthing of it--was there nothing left ?' 'Nothing,' replied the child.
'We must get more,' said the old man, 'we must earn it, Nell, hoard it up, scrape it together, come by it somehow.