"Barbara has nothing to do with the fact that I sent you the key of
the davenport where the book was. It is now missing. Janet, it is
bitterly painful to me to say so, but your endeavours to open that
bureau privately have brought suspicion upon you, and I must have it
opened in my presence."
"I have a full right to my own bureau."
"Of course you have; but I had these notes left in my trust. It is
my duty towards your father to use every means for their recovery."
"You call it a duty to my father to shut up his discovery and keep it
useless for the sake of a lot of boys who will never turn it to
profit."
"Of that I am judge. My present duty is to recover it. Your conduct
is such as to excite suspicion, and I therefore cannot allow you to
take anything out of that bureau except in my presence, till I have
satisfied myself that his memoranda are not there. I would not
search your drawers in your absence, and therefore telegraphed for
you."
"Thank you. Since you like to treat your daughter like a maidservant,
you may go on and search my boxes," said Janet, sulkily.
"I beg your pardon, my poor child, if I am unjustly causing you this
humiliation," said Caroline humbly, as Janet sullenly flumped down
into a chair without answering.
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