"WELL, I can't find it!" said Nancy in rather an exasperated tone.
"I've been looking and peeping about for this twenty minutes, and I can't find it!"
"What is it?" asked Tom lazily, from his book and his corner of the sofa.
"Why, a shilling! I was putting some change into my purse, and it rolled from under my very fingers!"
"Perhaps you've made a mistake?"
"No; but I'm sure I haven't. I have only half-a-crown in the world, and that was in three sixpences and a shilling; and the shilling is gone! Besides, I heard it drop and roll away."
"We'll look after tea," yawned Tom.
But Nancy was not satisfied with that, and went on groping about in all the likely corners, almost ready to cry at her brother's lack of sympathy, and at her own want of success.
Mary was preparing the tea busily, and did not seem to be taking much notice; but presently she said in her gentle voice, "Perhaps you have not light enough?" and while Nancy looked up with relief at someone being interested in her trouble, Mary quietly slipped out of the room.
Poor little Nancy sat down on the hearth-rug, and almost gave up her shilling; she had looked everywhere, she was certain.