“I must send it back again,” she said to herself. “I’d have done it before, but Pauline is away.”
Just then she was attracted by a sound on the sofa. She turned. Pen’s big black eyes were wide open; she was bending forward and gazing at the thimble.
“So you got it after all!” she said.
“Oh, child, how you startled me! What do you mean?”
“Why, that’s Aunty Sophy’s thimble. I was to get a penny if I found it.”
Nancy was silent.
“How did it get into your work-basket?” asked Pen.
“I borrowed it from Paulie, and I’d have given it to her long ere this, but I heard she was away.”
“Give it to me,” cried Penelope. Her voice quite shook in her eagerness. “Give it to me at once, and I will take it back to her.”
“I wish you would, Pen, I am sure; but you must be very careful not to lose it, for it is a real beauty. See, I will put it into this little box, and cover the box up.”