Veve started to explain about the Brownie organization and the coming quilt show.
Miss Brimborough scarcely listened. When Veve asked her rather timidly if she would allow her dogwood quilt to be shown by the Brownies, her answer was firm.
“My dear, I am so sorry. I should like to help your fine organization—indeed, yes. But you may not know that my dogwood blossom quilt won second prize in the county fair last year.”
“That’s why we would like to exhibit it,” Veve said quickly.
“My dear, I couldn’t risk entering such a valuable quilt in a Brownie show. It might be damaged, you see. Children are so careless.”
“Brownies aren’t,” Veve insisted. “We’re taught to be responsible and to take care of things. If you’ll let me have the quilt I’ll promise—”
“Now please don’t tease,” the lady cut her short. “I am sorry, but I can’t let you have the quilt.”
Veve was tempted to make an unkind reply. She wanted to tell Miss Brimborough that she was mean and selfish.
Just in time, though, she remembered that Miss Gordon had said a Brownie must always be courteous even though others might be rude.
Miss Brimborough hadn’t been exactly rude. She merely had been very firm.