There had been no hint of it before Ches Maybin 's entrance . The latter did not wait long . He was out and striding along the shadowy road when Miss Calista left the store and drove smartly after him . It never took Miss Calista long to make up her mind about anything , and she had weighed and passed judgement on Ches Maybin 's case while Mr. Fell was doing up her matches . The lad glanced up furtively as she checked her fat grey pony beside him . `` Good evening , Chester , '' she said with brisk kindness . `` I can give you a lift , if you are going my way . Jump in , quick -- Dapple is a little restless . '' A wave of crimson , duskily perceptible under his sunburned skin , surged over Ches Maybin 's face . It almost seemed as if he were going to blurt out a blunt refusal . But Miss Calista 's face was so guileless and her tone so friendly , that he thought better of it and sprang in beside her , and Dapple broke into an impatient trot down the long hill lined with its bare , wind-writhen maples . After a few minutes ' silence Miss Calista turned to her moody companion . `` Chester , '' she said , as tranquilly as if about to ask him the most ordinary question in the world , `` why did you climb into my house last night and try to steal my money ? '' Ches Maybin started convulsively , as if he meant to spring from the buggy at once , but Miss Calista 's hand was on his arm in a grasp none the less firm because of its gentleness , and there was a warning gleam in her grey eyes . `` It wo n't mend matters trying to get clear of me , Chester . I know it was you and I want an answer -- a truthful one , mind you -- to my question . I am your friend , and I am not going to harm you if you tell me the truth . '' Her clear and incisive gaze met and held irresistibly the boy 's wavering one . The sullen obstinacy of his face relaxed . `` Well , '' he muttered finally , `` I was just desperate , that 's why .
I 've never done anything real bad in my life XXXXX , but people have always been down on me .
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