"Now, Nelly, come up-stairs with me; and be sure you know that you are right."
"I am quite sure," said Nelly, firmly. "I could not be mistaken."
Mrs. Kirkland found Miss Bartlett standing by the worsted-table, selecting shades of wool, as unconcerned as possible. But Nelly thought she looked a little startled as they entered.
Mrs. Kirkland looked about to see that no strangers were present, and then said to Miss Bartlett, quietly, but with marked emphasis, "Miss Bartlett, I believe you have taken something which does not belong to you." Miss Bartlett coloured and then turned pale, and made a movement to take up her muff,—an unlucky movement, as it chanced; for it flirted the large pink silk and silver tassels of the fan into plain sight, as though the fan had determined not to be accessory to its own abduction.
Mrs. Kirkland laid her hand upon it.
"Yes, this is it," said she, looking the young lady steadily in the face, as she took the fan from its place of concealment. "It is fortunate that you did not drop it in the street."
Miss Bartlett gave an affected laugh; but Nelly observed that her hands trembled so that she could not hold the worsted.
"I suppose I took it up with my pocket-handkerchief," said she. "Your girl, here, keeps things in such a litter and confusion that it is no wonder one should do such a thing. But I dare say she finds her own account in having things upside down. It makes it all the easier for her to help herself."
Nelly coloured high with indignation.
Mrs. Kirkland answered, quietly, "Nelly does not keep things in confusion, neither does she help herself. I wish every one with whom I deal were as strictly honest as she is."