She then again addressed the child; her manner was not angry, but calm and kind, and Ann, notwithstanding her fear and shame, felt a pleasure in listening to so gentle a voice.
“Come beside me while I rest on this bench,” said Mrs. Claremont, “and tell me what I meant, when I said that you were in danger of losing something.”
Ann only stared at her, and made no answer.
“Do you know that you have a soul?”
“I know nothing about it,” muttered the girl.
“Then,” said Mrs. Claremont, “I will show you what you were going to take, and explain to you what you were in danger of losing.”
“I’ve got nothing to lose,” thought Ann, but she watched the lady with some curiosity.
THE LADY AND THE LITTLE GIRL.
“You see,” continued Mrs. Claremont, “this little red case. It has nothing fine about it,—it looks old and worn. Did you think it worth stealing?”