One morning Meg was running down the corridor that led out of the dormitories.
"Meg, Meg!" called a little voice in a whisper. Meg looked round; it was Elsie standing at Miss Pinkett's door. She was holding something in the palm of her small, shaking hand. Meg, approaching, saw it was the diamond star.
"Elsie, put it back at once," she said peremptorily.
"The box was open. I saw it shining and I took it out. I could not help it. Is it not lovely?"
The tiny fingers caressed the stone, and the baby voice gurgled and laughed to it.
"You will get into trouble, and I shall not be able to save you from being punished," said Meg. "Put it back."
As she spoke Elsie gave a sudden start, dropped the diamond, and took to flight.
Meg picked up the gem and went inside the room to place it in its box. She encountered Miss Pinkett and Miss Lister coming in by another door.
"What are you doing in my room?" asked Miss Pinkett coldly.