“But they can’t!” cried Tessie protestingly. “He’s innocent! He couldn’t do anything like that! It’s wrong⁠—”

Mrs. Robinson began to cry, quite silently. Perry went over to his mother and awkwardly patted her shoulder, his face white and stern. The twins gazed at one another with desperate eyes.

Frank and Joe, their hearts too full for utterance, withdrew softly from the room.