"Tell me all about it," said Anne. "I will put a clean tucker in your bodice, meantime."
Lucy related the story, with many injunctions not to tell.
Anne listened attentively, and shook her head when it was finished.
"'Tis a bad business," said she. "I am much afraid you will never see the thimble again. There was a tramper woman here yesterday, with her child on her back; and she went along the whole length of the terrace,—the impudent beggar! Nothing less would serve her; and I doubt she has seen the thimble and picked it up. You see, if old Robbins had found it, he would have brought it back: he would as soon cut his head off as steal, would Robbins. But it won't do to ask him about it; because that would let out the secret."
"Then, what shall I do?" asked Lucy, in a despairing tone. "As soon as ever I come to do my task of sewing, the thimble will be missed."
"Hark! There is Mrs. Corbet calling you," said Anne. "Go down now,—there's a dear,—and I will think the matter over and see what can be done."
"You have been a long time," said Cousin Deborah. "What hindered you?"
"Anne had to sew a new tucker in my bodice," said Lucy.
"Anne must learn to have your things ready beforehand. But never mind, now. Come and read the psalm."
It was rather hard for Lucy to bring her mind to the task, but she did really wish to please Cousin Deborah: so she took pains, and succeeded tolerably well.