Grandpa's coat?"

"I--didn't--do anything with it," said Willy.

"My sakes!" said his grandmother. "What has come to the child?" She
was very pale. Aunt Annie and uncle Frank looked as if they did not
know what to think. Grandpa himself settled back in his chair, and
stared helplessly at Willy.

Finally aunt Annie tried her hand. "See here, Willy dear," said she,
"you are tired and hungry and want your supper; just tell us what you
did with the coat after Grandma Perry gave it to you"--

"She didn't," said Willy.

That was dreadful. They all looked aghast at one another. Was Willy
lying--Willy!

"Didn't--give--it--to you--Sonny!" said Grandpa, feebly, and more
slowly than ever.

"No, sir."

Grandma Stockton had been called quick-tempered when she was a girl,
and she gave proof of it sometimes, even now in her gentle old age.
She spoke very sternly and quickly: "Willy, we have had all of this
nonsense that we want. Now you just speak right up an' tell the truth.
What did you do with your grandfather's coat?"

"I didn't do anything with it," faltered Willy again. His lip was