“I didn’t see her, but no money’s ever been stolen in our room—until Elsie came.”

“All circumstantial evidence,” Daddy announced importantly.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“Just hearsay. You don’t have solid proof. You just have Elsie under suspicion. You can’t arrest her.”

“It sounds like Elsie has enough troubles already.” Mother started clearing the table as if the subject were closed.

“Mrs. Hanson said it isn’t good for the thief not to be caught.”

“Being accused wouldn’t be good for Elsie if she wasn’t the thief,” Mother replied.

I didn’t feel like doing my homework that night. I sat on my bed with my arithmetic book open to the page of fractions. I hate changing fractions to common denominators. I always get the numbers mixed up and backwards. I felt like sneaking downstairs to get the calculator. I wished I could call Diane. Most girls get to talk on the phone. My dad won’t let me touch ours. It’s not fair.