"Why, Mehitable Lamb!" repeated Aunt Susy, "tell us this minute what has become of Hannah Maria!"
Mehitable was silent.
"Oh," sobbed Mrs. Green, "you must tell me. Mehitable, you'll tell Hannah Maria's mother what has become of her, won't you?"
Mehitable's mother bent over her and whispered, but Mehitable lay there like a little stone image.
"Oh, do make her tell!" pleaded Mrs. Green.
"Come, now, tell, and I'll buy you a whole pound of candy," said Mr. Green.
"Mehitable, you must tell," said Aunt Susy.
Suddenly Mehitable began to cry. She sobbed and sobbed; her little body shook convulsively. They all urged her to tell, but she only shook her head between the sobs.
Grandmother Lamb came into the room. She had awakened from her nap.
"What's the matter?" she inquired. "What ails Mehitable? Is she sick?"