Gentle Annette looked surprised and hurt. "I am sure I did not mean any such thing, Emily. I have accused no one."
"No one in particular," returned Emily, "but every one in general, which is quite as bad. There is no proof that it was taken at all, and I do not think any one in this house would steal from—" the words seemed to choke her, but she went bravely on, "from an orphan child."
"I think Emily is right, Manny, though there was no need of speaking so sharply," remarked Bella. "That will be the next thing, if we allow that it is stolen at all. I dare say that before vacation is over, the story will be going in the village that some one of the young ladies took it out of Kitty's pocket, and if any one of the boarders should happen not to return, it will be said that she was the thief, and that Mrs. Pomeroy forbade her coming back."
Poor Annette began to look quite alarmed at the amount of responsibility which seemed to be thrown upon her. "I am sure I did not mean any thing," she repeated again. "I hope I have not done any harm."
Bella was going to reply, but Delia interrupted her. "Pray Bella, don't say any more, or you will have Manny going to Mrs. Pomeroy, and confessing that she did the deed herself, by way of averting suspicion from any one else. No Manny, you have done no harm to any one, and I don't believe you ever did in your life."
"I am sure I never meant any," said Annette.
"I believe that," said Bella. "You are a dear good little soul, though I don't believe you will ever set the river on fire, unless by accident."
"I hope not," replied Manny, with the direct simplicity, which made her at once the laughing stock, and the favorite of her companions.
"You are not angry, are you, Emily?"
"No, of course not!" returned Emily rather shortly. "You have done nothing to ma. Do let the matter drop? I have heard of it till I am fairly sick. Cannot some one think of something else to talk about beside that everlasting ten dollar bill?"