The stillness lasted for some moments, and was first broken by Flora, as if she had caught at a probability.

"Some one might have used the first blotting-paper that came to hand." "Come here, Tom," said the doctor, in a voice not loud, but trembling with anxiety; then laying his hand on his shoulder, "Look in my face." Tom hung his head, and his father put his hand under his chin, and raised the pale terrified face.

"Don't be afraid to tell us the meaning of this.

If any of your friends have done it, we will keep your secret.
Look up, and speak out.

How did your blotting-paper come there ?" Tom had been attempting his former system of silent sullenness, but there was anger at Mary, and fear of his father to agitate him, and in his impatient despair at thus being held and questioned, he burst out into a violent fit of crying.
"I can't have you roaring here to distress Margaret," said Dr.May.
"Come into the study with me." But Tom, who seemed fairly out of himself, would not stir, and a screaming and kicking scene took place, before he was carried into the study by his brothers, and there left with his father.