^^Tou ikink you saw them," replied his
father j '' I suppose you know whether you
did or not ? Come, sir I leave your dinnerj



THE THIEF DISCOVEFvED. 129

and you and Jem go along with me. I will
know the rights of this matter without loss
of time/' Saying this, he rose and left
the room, the two boys following him.
^'I am almost sure,^' said Katie, after
her papa had left the room, '^ that Harry
has taken the apples, mamma; for I went
to ask him what time it was this morning,
and, though he only opened his door a very
little way, as if afraid that I was coming
in, I saw two fine apples on his dressing,
table. I hope he won^t get poor Jem into
a scrape with his stories to papa, for I am
sure Jem would not help Harry to steal
them.''

" Oh, Katie, I don't think Harry would
be so wicked as to steal, nor so cruel as to
lay the blame upon Jem of what he had done
himself ! " said my dear little mistress, who
always was disposed to make peace.
''Well, you'll see," returned Katie.
'' You, Lucy, always take his part ; but I
know his tricks better than you do."

K



130 THE 8T0BY OP A CAT.
*^ Let us, at least, wsdt/' observed Mrs.
