"Come in, my children," she said very pleasantly, for she thought she knew their errand.
They walked up to her. Clara paid her debt even to the last penny.
"Now, mamma Wilmot," said she, when it had been received, "can you confide in me again?"
"Yes, Clara, fully, entirely, far more than before you had ever made it necessary that I should try you as I have done. Before that trial I hoped that you would persevere in doing right at the expense of some pain to yourself, I am now sure that you will. I always knew that you had right feelings, Clara, and I loved you for them; I now know that you have right principles, and honor you for them. Why do you smile, Grace?"
"Because it seems so strange, mamma, that you should talk of honoring a little girl like Clara."
"A little girl, Grace, who resists the temptation to do wrong and steadily perseveres in doing right, is as deserving of honor as any one, and I repeat that I honor Clara."
Tears stood in Clara's eyes, and her cheeks were flushed with emotion.
"Then, mamma Wilmot, you will not be ashamed to wear the locket?"
"No, my love, I shall be proud to wear it."
Clara took something from Grace, saying, "You must let me put it on, Grace."