“It is very unkind of them,” said Bessie, with trembling lip; “but they shall see, if they want that to show I am not a thief!”
“I said I wouldn’t see,” said Susan. “You knows Bessie, I trust you.”
“And I,” said Sam; “I don’t care for people’s secrets. I don’t want to pry into Bessie’s.”
No one followed their example; all either really suspected, or else were full of curiosity, and delighted to gratify it.
Half a dozen slips of card, with poor little coloured drawings on them, and as many lengths of penny ribbon!
“Is that all?” said Annie, much disappointed.
“So that’s what Bet made such a fuss about,” said John; and David’s face fell, as if he had really expected to see the lost pence.
The next thing, after the search had been made through all the children’s bed-rooms, was to go to the nursery: and thither Miss Fosbrook allowed only Susan and Sam to follow her. Nurse Freeman was very stiff and stately, but she had no objection to searching; and the boy and girl began the hunt, while Miss Fosbrook meantime cautiously asked whether Nurse were sure of Rhoda, and if she were trustworthy.
This made Mrs. Freeman very angry; and though her words were respectful, she showed that she was much offended at the strange lady presuming to suspect anyone, especially one under her charge.
Miss Fosbrook wanted to have asked Rhoda whether the doors were open or shut when she carried Henry his dinner, but Nurse would not consent to call her. “I understood the nursery and the girl were to be my province,” she said. “If Miss Merrifield heard her mamma say otherwise, then it is a different thing.”