'How do you know that? The woman Marley says so. That watch may form part of the plunder of which you have been robbed.'
'Then, again,' said Olver, 'what inducement had the woman to offer you such a sum?'
'Because my father was kind to her and took her in.'
'Pshaw! He did that. Because he offered her his situation to be maid-of-all-work, to cook his meals, clean the house, make the fire; in return for which she was to be taken in, together with the girl, and to receive half-a-crown a week, is that it? That is no ground for such a fit of generosity coming upon her. No, no. She has stolen the captain's money, and would salve over her conscience that tortures and stings with one hundred pounds given to you. I see it clear as daylight.'
'It looks bad,' said Jack in a tone of discouragement. 'But, Olver, not a word about this to any one else.'
'You should have closed with the offer. Half a loaf is better than no bread.'
'I could not do it,' answered Jack, and so the matter dropped.
The feeling that pervaded the neighbourhood made itself very evident to Jane Marley and to Winefred. The mother was indifferent, but it provoked the liveliest resentment in the girl. Winefred was fired with indignation that her mother should be thought capable of dishonesty, and she winced and chafed at the gibes cast at her, or at the insinuations she could not openly resent.
The neighbourhood had conspired to hold aloof from them. No one save good Mrs. Jose would speak to either, except on matters necessitating exchange of words. When mother or daughter came into Axmouth or Seaton heads were turned aside, or they were stared at insolently and remarks made behind their backs, perfectly audible and never complimentary.
Jane held up her head the highest, became harsher in manner and more peremptory――even with her child.
Winefred complained to her of the slights to which she was subjected.
'When we were poor,' said Mrs. Marley, with darkened brow, 'then we were cast out. Now we are rich, we are hated. As they cannot take our money from us, they slander us. We can rub along very comfortably without them. I would leave the place had I not bought the house. I would not have bought it had I thought it would come to this. You shall have richer dresses than any other girl in Axmouth, and go to church to let them see it.'