"And who dares say my innocent little darling is a thief?" cried Margaret, her color rising. "I gave her sugar in order to coax her to take her part with the other children, for she was shy about it at first. Did her mother fancy she took it herself?"
"She naturally thought so, but as the child had not eaten it, and said she did not mean to do so, she did not punish her."
"It is a thousand pities. But as Mabel knew herself to be innocent, why didn't she declare it? Why did she blush and cry as if she had done something wrong?"
"Because she had done wrong in accepting it. It never would answer for such a young child to eat whatever injudicious persons chose to give it, therefore Belle forbids her little ones receiving dainties save from herself or some other authorized hand. You can't imagine how recklessly many people behave in such matters. I have known a conscientious child to be almost laughed into eating and drinking forbidden luxuries, such as coffee, mince-pie, and rich cake."
"I did not know one had to be so careful with children."
"It is the case, though, and if it seems to you that Belle has made too much of this affair, you must remember that she must adapt herself to the very small world in which Mabel lives, and whose trivial wants are as great to her as the most serious ones will be, by and by."
"I shall write to B.—Mrs. Heath—this very minute," cried Margaret, "but what shall I call her?"
"I think she has settled that. Call her Belle. But, before you begin I want you to see what a lovely little note the mail has brought me!"
And if Margaret reads it, why shouldn't we?