"No, ma'am. Is anything the matter?"
"My pocketbook is missing. I laid it down on the bureau and forgot to take it up again."
"I am very sorry, ma'am; was there much money in it?"
"Two bills, a five and a one."
"That is too much to lose."
"It is a little awkward. Miss Green, my seamstress, is here, and I want to pay her two dollars. Do you happen to have any money with you?"
"Yes, ma'am; I can let you have the two dollars."
"Thank you. I will give it back to you when Mr. Little comes in."
"Who can have taken the money?" thought Mrs. Little. "It can't be Ellen, for she is an old and trusted servant, and there doesn't seem to be anyone else. It is certainly mysterious."