But here Hetty threw in a word of affection and entreaty. “Why, Bettina,” she said, “it is in your hand. Feel it, darling! feel it! We got it back for you, just as we said we would. Feel it, Bettina! feel it!”
Betty felt. Her fingers were half-numbed; but she was able to perceive the difference between the brown paper and the thick, strong cord, and again the difference between the thick cord and the sealing-wax. “How many seals are there?” she asked in a breathless, eager voice, turning and looking full at her sisters.
“Eight in all,” said Sylvia, speaking rapidly: “two in front, two at each side, and two, again, fastening down the naps at the back.”
“I knew there were eight,” said Betty. “Let me feel them.”
Sylvia conducted Betty’s fingers over the unbroken seals.
“Count for me, darling, silly Sylvia!” said Betty.
Sylvia began to count: One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.
“It is my lost packet!” said Betty with a cry.
“It is, Betty! it is!”
“And is any one going to take it from me?”