Among themselves they spoke of her as "Little Patience."
Once Betty Chase told her that she knew a girl whose name was "Patience," who was always called "Patty."
"My family does not like nicknames," was the reply in a low voice, as she turned away.
The day after the sleigh-ride, Lina Danford, one of the youngest pupils, came rushing down the stairway in great excitement.
"My amber necklace has been stolen! Girls! Do you hear? My amber beads are gone! Some one has been in my room and stolen them! Somebody ought to catch the burglar!"
Dorothy, standing near, put an arm around her, and tried to comfort her.
"Don't say it is gone, Lina, dear! It may be just mislaid. If you like, Nancy and I will go up with you, and help you hunt," but Lina was not easily to be comforted.
She insisted that the beads had been stolen, and that, therefore, it was idle to search.
Patience Little, for the first time, showed a bit of interest. She was crossing the hall when Lina raced down the stairs, and she actually paused to listen to what the little girl had to say. She said nothing, and after a moment, she went up-stairs.
She forgot to close her door, and going over to her dresser, opened its upper drawer. From a velvet case she drew forth a smaller velvet case, which, when she touched a clasp, sprang open, displaying a handsome string of amber beads. She held them up so that the light might play through them.