Bessie made no answer, but watched Kate's face anxiously.
"See here, Bessie," said Fanny: "promise us not to say a word about it, if Mrs. Ashton asks; and I will dress a beautiful doll for you."
Bessie shook her head resolutely.
"Do you think I'd tell a story for a doll?" she answered; and then, putting her arms round Kate's neck, she whispered, "I would help you if I could, Katie; but I couldn't make Jesus sorry even for you; and you won't do it, dear, will you? Please think about Him, Katie, and don't tell a wicked story. He will help you to be brave, if you ask Him."
None of the others heard what she said, but it was easy enough to guess that she was trying to persuade Kate to do right; and Fanny, for once roused to energy, exclaimed,—
"You'll have to stand by us, Kate; you can't tell your own share in the mischief without bringing in the rest, and you've no right to do it. And as for you, Bessie, if you bring us into any trouble with your nonsense, we'll keep you out of our room, and have nothing more to do with you. We won't have a mean little tell-tale here spying and reporting us."
But this, as well as many other threats and promises, proved of no avail Bessie could not be persuaded to say that she would tell an untruth, if she were asked about the clock; and the more steadfast she was, the more urgent grew the older girls.
"It is so, Bessie," sighed Kate, all her frolicsome spirits quite put to flight. "It is so; I cannot confess my own share without bringing in Fanny and Mary; and I don't know that that would be fair, even if I dared to tell of myself. But I tell you what we will do for you, if you promise faithfully—and I know you will keep your word—not to betray us. You are so anxious to have that hospital bed for your lame Jemmy. Promise to say what we all say, and we will all vote that you shall have that prize; and I will coax the four girls who are not here to do the same. They will do it for me."
Bessie knew that this was true, for Kate generally carried things her own way in her room. "Maggie, of course, will vote for you; so will Belle and Lily; and so no one else will have a chance, for that will be more than half the school, and you are sure of the prize. Quick! speak, Bessie! There is no time lose. Monsieur will be back in a moment."
"Think of the good you will do the lame boy," said Fanny; "and just by such a little—well, you can't call it even a 'fib,' for you don't know much about the clock, you don't understand it, and you did not see it break. For all you know, it may be all right in a few moments."