"Yes: she took it out of the stand and carried it home, and then somebody stole it from her. But she was very sorry; and she came and told mother all about it; and gave her that beautiful double fuchsia, to make amends. And don't you say a word, Tilly, for all the world; because mother told me not to tell; and, besides, it was real mean in me to twit Florry with it. You won't tell, will you?"
"Of course not; but, Emma, I don't think you need care so very much for Florry. It was not half fair for her to go above you so."
"Oh, she couldn't help it! And she did her best to have me second, too."
"She knew all the time that you wouldn't, though. I knew she did, because she told me so. She said you had been very good the last two weeks; but it didn't depend on that; and she knew she should pass anyhow: so she didn't care."
Tilly did not exactly mean to lie; but she was an inveterate gossip, and, like many other gossips, she never could repeat anything exactly as she heard it.
"I don't believe she said so. It doesn't sound one bit like her," said Emma.
"Indeed, she did. She said so up in my room this very morning."
"I guess you stretched it just a little," said Emma. "But there is mother calling me."
"I think we must go now, my dear," said Mrs. Hausen. "You know we have several things to do yet. Miss Van Ness will excuse you."
Emma did not seek Florry out to "make up," as she had intended. She said to herself that she had no time; but that was not the real reason. Tilly's words, though she did not half believe them, had not been without their effect on her mind.