"Won't you ever tell, if I tell you?"
"No; of course not," said Jenny and Priscilla, together.
Emily did not say a word, but she listened with the others.
"Well, then — but don't you tell, because I don't want any fuss made till my father comes home; and I have written to him this very day. Flora Lester has stolen my watch and my new chain and locket: and it isn't the first time she has stolen, either. She was at our house, and I took her up in my room while I went to see what father wanted; and I have never seen my watch since: so she must have got it, you see. I have written to father, and asked him to come home directly; and I dare say he can get it back, or else make Dr. Lester buy me a new one. But wasn't it too bad?"
"Pshaw, what nonsense!" said Jenny. "Just as if Florry would take your watch. I don't believe one word of it. You have mislaid it somewhere. A likely story, indeed!"
"I never should have thought of such a thing, if I had not known before that Florry would steal," said Tilly. "But Emma Hausen told me herself that Florry stole some of her mother's new plants."
"I don't believe she ever told you such a word!"
"Jenny," said Priscilla, "you should not speak so."
"Well, I will speak so then!" said Jenny, who was a peppery little Irish girl, and who adored Florry. "I say Florry Lester is not a thief; and whoever says so, deserves to be turned out of the school. I don't believe Emma Hausen ever told you so, Tilly Mansfield: you are mad because Florry was promoted; and that is the whole of it. A likely story, indeed! I won't stay to hear such stuff," and Jenny flounced away in a twitter of indignation.
"I am sure Jenny needn't be angry at me," said Tilly.