It was criminal, but I
did it.
And then we went into the house and danced some more. We were happy.
Of course we raised an alarm--after sufficient time to carefully dress,
and fill the lantern with oil. Other houses too had been robbed before
we had been visited, but as they were occupied by old inhabitants, the
occupants had nonchalantly gone to sleep again after surrendering their
small change. Our exploit was quite the sensation. With great difficulty
we assumed the proper public attitude of shock and despair. The
following day I wrote full particulars to the Insurance Company, with a
demand for the indemnity.
"You'll never get the full amount," said Clara.
"Why not?"
"You never do. They'll send a man to ask disagreeable questions and to
beat us down."
"Let him come."
"You'll see."
Just one week after the event, I opened an official envelope, extracted
a check, gazed at it with a superior smile and tendered it to Clara by
the tips of my fingers.
"Three thousand dollars!" cried Clara, without contrition, "three
thousand dollars--oh, George!"
There it was--three thousand dollars, without a shred of doubt.
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