CHAPTER X.
THE FORGED CHECK Kenneth and Beth refrained from telling the other girls or Uncle John of old Will Rogers's visit, but they got Mr.Watson in the library and questioned him closely about the penalty for forging a check.
It was a serious crime indeed, Mr.Watson told them, and Tom Gates bade fair to serve a lengthy term in state's prison as a consequence of his rash act.
"But it was a generous act, too," said Beth.
"I can't see it in that light," said the old lawyer.

"It was a deliberate theft from his employers to protect a girl he loved.

I do not doubt the girl was unjustly accused.

The Squierses are a selfish, hard-fisted lot, and the old lady, especially, is a well known virago.
But they could not have proven a case against Lucy, if she was innocent, and all their threats of arresting her were probably mere bluff.

So this boy was doubly foolish in ruining himself to get sixty dollars to pay an unjust demand." "He was soft-hearted and impetuous," said Beth; "and, being in love, he didn't stop to count the cost." "That is no excuse, my dear," declared Mr.Watson.