by little, as it was found out. The matter
was not, at first, discussed by the clerks in the office. Mr Caldwell
had asked David not to speak of it to them, or to any one.

When Mr Caldwell told him that nothing had been said to them of the
loss, he thought it was strange; but it never came into his mind that
the reason was that Mr Oswald feared that he was the person guilty, and
wished to keep it from the knowledge of the rest. But, as time went on,
he began to notice a change in Mr Oswald's manner toward him. He had
never said many words to him in the course of the day. It was not his
way with those in his employment, except with Mr Caldwell. He said
less than ever to him now, but David fancied that he was more watchful
of him, that he took more note of his comings and goings, and that his
manner was more peremptory and less friendly when he gave him directions
as to his work for the day.

Mr Caldwell did not remain long in Singleton at this time, and having
no one to speak to about the mysterious affair of the missing money,
David, after a day or two, began to think less about it than he might
otherwise have done. Once he ventured to speak to Mr Oswald about it.

"Have you heard anything about the lost money, sir?" said he, one night,
when there were only they two in the office.

Mr Oswald answered him so briefly and sharply that David was startled,
changing colour and looking at him in astonishment.

"No, I have not. Have _you_ anything to tell me about it? The sooner
the better," said Mr Oswald.

"I know only what Mr Caldwell has told me," said David.

"You may go," said Mr Oswald.

And David went away, very much surprised both at his words and his
manner. He did not think long about it, but every day he became more
certain that all was not right between them. He had no one to speak to,
which made it worse. He could not write to his mother or even to
Violet, because there was nothing to tell. Mr Oswald was sharp and
short in his manner of speaking to him, that was all, and he had never
said much to him at any time. No; there was nothing to tell.

But he could not help being unhappy. The time seemed very long. The
weather became very warm. All that he had to do out of the office was
done languidly, and he began to wish for the time of his mother's
return. He received little pleasure from his books, but he faithfully
gave the allotted time to them, and got, it is to be hoped, some profit.