And after she had said that, there came into her mind a way by which she could find out whether Thomas had spoken the truth.
She went right back to the lady's room, whom she found holding Thomas in her lap, and feeding with candy.
"Thomas, where is the stick you said Susy struck you with?" asked she.
Thomas blushed and looked about, as if in search of the stick.
"I suppose she hid it, somewhere," said he.
"She could not do that, for she has been with me ever since she left the room."
"I dare say we shall find it," said the lady. "And I hope you mean to give Susy a good whipping. She needs it, I am sure. Such a blow! Why, what a naughty child she must be!"
"Susy says Thomas opened the trunk and told her to hold it open while he looked for candy. And it was heavy, and she let it fall on his head. I think she has spoken the truth. I never knew her to speak any thing else. The marks on Thomas's face look to me, just like those the heavy lid of a trunk would make."
"They look to me like the marks of a stick," said the lady. "But people see things differently. Come, Thomas! eat this nice candy. And I'll buy you something to pay for this."
Susy's mamma said no more. She felt sorry to have her dear little daughter in such trouble but there seemed no help for it. She went back to her room; and taking Susy again in her lap, talked gently to her about the dreadful sin of which Thomas had been guilty.