At the same time I remembered the visit of that lad, who had never been in my house before, and how he might have glanced into the drawing-room through accident, and seeing my souvenir spoons, been tempted to purloin one.

But every time that terrible thought flashed into my mind I indignantly refused to harbor it, I love all boys so much.
"Then again today he came with more work turned in by Mrs.Ackerman, who had for some reason of her own selected him as her messenger.

I actually forgot all my ugly suspicions in the charm of his manly conversation, until some time after he had gone, again, at my suggestion, letting himself out.

I hurried into the drawing-room, and with trembling fingers proceeded to count my spoons.

There were but ten of them left in the open box.