The girl tried to unfasten the chain.
"Shall I?" asked Ethel.
Mattie nodded. Then Ethel took the ring.
"To whom does this belong?" she asked.
"Nora," faltered the girl. "Keep it please; I shall never go back. I shall kill myself," she sobbed.
"That's silly," broke in practical Patty.
"Your father—Judge Sands—he will sentence me to prison," she sobbed, "and I did it for Mollie. She's my sister. Her spine is broken and the doctor said she needed food—good nourishing food. She's only eleven, and he told father that with care she might outgrow it, especially if she could get in some Institution for Cripples, where she could have good attention," and the girl threw herself on her face and sobbed brokenly.
"Now, see here," said Ethel, sitting down beside her and lefting her up, while Patty and she supported her back.
"You tell us everything; don't keep even a tiny bit back."
"Yes," broke in Patty, "we're Camp Fire Girls and we must 'Give
Service.' Perhaps we can help you if you'll confide in us."