It seemed to Florry that she was reminded of the Hausens at every turn. How good and kind they had always been to her. She had stayed with Emma a week at a time; and Mrs. Hausen was always lending her books and papers. Florry felt ashamed, as she remembered the way she had thought about Emma only that afternoon.
She said her prayers and read her chapter, and learned her two verses to recite in school next day; but nothing seemed to bring her any comfort.
"Oh, if I could only carry the plant back, I should not mind so much," she thought. "And, now I come to think, I don't believe they have any more of that kind. I am sure I never saw one like it. I dare say they were new plants, and that was the reason Mr. Crampton set them there in the shade. I should not mind so much, if it wasn't gone."
"But you can't carry it back, and there is no use in doing anything about it," whispered the tempter, in Florry's ear. "You have got rid of the plant by good luck; and now you have only to let the matter rest, and do no more, and nobody will ever know. Mrs. Hausen won't miss the plant. Very likely she does not know that she had it; and at any rate, if she does, she will never think of accusing you."
"But, then, I shall still be a thief," thought Florry; "and perhaps somebody else may be blamed. Oh, dear, what shall I do?"
And Flora buried her face in her pillow and sobbed aloud.
"My dear child, what is the matter?" asked Mrs. Lester, opening the door. "Does your shoulder hurt you?"
"I don't know," sobbed Flora, crying as if her heart would break. "Oh, mother, what shall I do? I'm so wicked."
"Tell me all about it," said Mrs. Lester, sitting down on the side of the bed.
Florry began at the beginning, and told her mother the whole story of her trouble from first to last.