"Since I pride myself on being something of a reader of human nature, I feel almost certain that there must be a great mistake somewhere; and that when the truth is discovered, you and I will laugh, and say it was ridiculous for us to even think Owen could have taken the spoons!" The old lady's eyes glistened as she heard these brave words.

Standing up for a friend was one of Hugh Morgan's leading traits; and yet, if the truth were known, he did not feel _quite_ so positive as his words would indicate.

Things certainly looked dark for the Dugdale boy.
Hugh, when he came to think over the whole matter, was bound to be smitten with a grave fear lest the worst come to pass.
"Somehow I seem to have unbounded confidence in your ability to accomplish the impossible, Hugh Morgan," she told him, which words of praise thrilled him to the heart, for he was, after all, human and a boy.

"Only good words have come to me about you from all those with whom I converse; for though you may think it odd in an old woman who never had a son of her own, I have all my life been interested in other people's children, particularly boys, seven of whom I have had educated at my expense.

Ah! they are either fighting bravely for the life of France just now, or else filling patriots' graves in the battle country." Hugh asked a few more questions that chanced to occur to him.