This virtuous resolution was forgotten, however, before the day was over; but at the time it much astonished her young friends, as did also the low state of Lily's spirits.
Fresh questions followed; and Lily told her story, mingling her own bitter self-accusations with reproaches against the supposed thief.
"For I told her she was not to come in, 'cause there was no one about to 'tend to her," she said, as if this were an added aggravation of her sorrows; "and I only left the door open for fear her feelings would be hurt; but now I don't b'lieve she had any to hurt. I don't s'pose thieves have many feelings, do you, Maggie?"
"No, I don't believe they have," answered Maggie. "I just expect their feelings are 'lost to sight, and not to memory dear.'"
This fine sentiment, having been properly appreciated, called up the recollection of the promised proverb picture.
"Did you find a proverb that would be a lesson for me, or did you have to make one?" asked mournful Lily.
"Mamma told us one," said Maggie. "It is 'Procrastination is the thief of Time.'"
"You'd better say the thief of inkstands," said Lily, ruefully. "Maggie and Bessie and Belle, I feel 'most as if it was me who had stolen mamma's inkstand."
The other little girls all set about consoling her; and Bessie took an opportunity to whisper to Maggie that she thought they had better not give Lily the proverb picture that day because it might make her feel worse.