"Of course you can't," answered Florry, kissing Tilly. "Come, don't let us say any more about it. There is the first bell ringing."
"I hope you will forgive me as well as Tilly, Flora," said Emma, as soon as she could get Flora alone. "I don't deserve it, I know; but if you knew how sorry I am about it—"
"I did forgive you before you asked me, Emma," answered Flora, gravely.
"I don't see how you could."
"It was hard," admitted Flora. "You see I cared more about what you said than I did about Tilly; but I knew I ought to, and that I wouldn't feel happy till I did. So I asked for help, and I had it," said Flora, reverently. "Somehow He seemed to take all the trouble and anger out of my heart, and I felt as quiet as could be. Aunt Eunice told me to commit my way to Him, and so I did; and He has brought it to pass."
Mr. Mansfield came back that morning, and Tilly met him at the door as she went home.
"Well, Tilly, what about your watch?" said he. "Have you found it?"
Tilly told the story of her watch.
"Just as I expected. I hope you have not told any one else what you said to me about Flora Lester's having taken it. The most absurd idea I ever heard of!"
Mr. Mansfield was very angry—more so than Tilly had ever seen him—when he learned how she had talked about Flora. He insisted on her going with him to Dr. Lester's, and making a formal apology both to Flora and her parents, and declared his intention to make her apologize before the whole school.