ood."

But Violet would not promise.

"I cannot, Davie. I cannot keep anything from mamma when she wishes to
know it; and she will be sure to ask everything about you. But you need
not be afraid. Mamma will not fret. She will know that it will all be
right in the end."

And the "end" of David's trouble, as far as the missing money was
concerned, was nearer than either of them thought when they bade each
other good-bye. He had a few days more of anxiety and discomfort, in
the midst of which came a letter from his mother, which made it seem to
him a very small trouble indeed. He read it over and over again, and
laughed at himself for supposing that he was acting wisely in keeping
the knowledge of all that was making him so unhappy from his mother.

"Mamma always knows just what to say and how to say it," said he to
himself; "and, of course, she is not going to fret about a matter which
is sure to come right in the end."

And so the days that followed were better days, though the hot weather,
and the close confinement in the office through the day, and the
loneliness of the deserted house at home, were beginning to tell on him,
and he was by no means well. He did his best to do well all that was
given him to do, but the days were long and dull and the evenings
lonely, and he began to count the days that must pass before they should
all come home.

There was something going on in the town one afternoon, a cricket match
or a match at football, and all the clerks had left the bank at the
earliest possible moment, intent on seeing all that was to be seen of
it. David would have gone with, the rest, but Mr Caldwell, who was at
the moment engaged with Mr Oswald in his private room, had asked him to
remain till he came out to him again. David waited, not caring that he
lost the amusement that the others sought, not caring very much for
anything just at that moment, for he was tired and getting a little
unhappy again, and very much ashamed of himself because of it.

For when he had read his mother's letter only the other day, he had
taken all the comfort of her cheerful, trustful words, and acknowledged
how foolish and wrong it had been for him to let Mr Oswald's doubts and
suspicions dismay him. He had said then that it was all past now, and
that he could wait God's time for the clearing of his name, without
being unhappy or afraid again. And now here he was wondering anxiously
whether Mr Oswald and Mr Caldwell