“Yes, that’s right, Trouble. You did give it back to me after I let you take it,” she said slowly. “You gave it back to me and I put it on the box so I wouldn’t catch anything in the chain when I unset the play table and washed the dishes. Ted, you didn’t take the locket, did you?” she asked, turning to her older brother.
“No,” he answered. “But I saw you put it on the box. It ought to be there now.”
“Well, it isn’t,” and there were tears in Janet’s eyes. “Oh, Mother,” she half-sobbed, “I can’t find your lovely diamond locket! I’m afraid it’s lost!”
Mrs. Martin looked anxious, for the locket was one she prized very highly. She did not want to lose it.
“Perhaps it may have been knocked off the box when you all ran out to see the auto accident,” suggested Mr. Martin. “Be careful where you step, and we’ll look around the porch.”
This was done, but with all the searching no diamond locket was found. Mrs. Martin helped, and after all the boxes, boards and toy furniture had been cleared from the rear porch the place was carefully swept.
“Well, I guess it’s gone,” said Mr. Martin, looking at his wife. “I shall have to buy you another.”
“I don’t want any other!” exclaimed Mrs. Martin, with tears in her eyes. “I want my own dear little diamond locket! Oh, Janet, why did you lose it?”
“I—I didn’t mean to,” and Janet began to sob.
“Oh, I know you didn’t, child,” said her mother, patting the curly head. “I shouldn’t have given in to you and let you take it. Are you sure Trouble didn’t drop it somewhere?”