"Just who had a hand in throwing the tea overboard no one can find out, but I am glad it was done," said Tom.
"So you uphold lawlessness, Mr. Brandon?"
"I stand against the unrighteous acts of Parliament. We will not be slaves; we will not be deprived of our liberties. If King George and Lord North think they can starve the people of this town into submission, they will find themselves mistaken," said Tom.
"I hope he will compel every one of you to obey the laws, and that whoever had a hand in destroying the tea will suffer for it," Mr. Shrimpton replied.
Tom saw the smile fade from the countenance of Mary as she listened to the conversation. Her quick insight, and acquaintance with her father's surly temper, enabled her to see what was withholden from Tom's slower perception.
"Mary," said Mr. Shrimpton, after Tom took his departure, "I want you to stop having anything to do with Tom."
"No matter. He's an enemy to the king. I have good reason to believe he had a hand in throwing the tea overboard. If he did, he is no better than a thief. He willfully, wantonly, and with malice aforethought stole the property of others from the holds of the ships, and destroyed it. It was burglary--breaking and entering. It was a malicious destruction of property of the East India Company. It was a heinous affair--not mere larceny to be punished by standing in the pillory, or sitting in the stocks, or tied up to the whipping-post and flogged, but an offense which, if it could be proved, would send every one of the marauders to jail for ten or twenty years. Now I don't want the name of Shrimpton mixed up with that of Brandon. So you can cut Tom adrift."
"I don't want any buts. You will do as I tell you if you know what is good for yourself."
"Have you not, father, said in the past that he was an estimable young man?"
"But he is not estimable now. He meets others in secret to plot mischief. I have had spies on his track. He is a lawbreaker, a mischief-maker, and sooner or later will be in jail, and possibly may be brought to the gallows. Now, once for all, I tell you I will not have him coming here."
Mr. Shrimpton said it with a flushed face, setting his teeth firmly together as he rose from his chair.