So Bee was left alone again, alone, and even more unhappy than before, for she was very sorry about Rosy's necklace, and besides, she had a miserable feeling that if it was never found she would somehow be blamed for its loss. A quarter of an hour passed, then half an hour, what could Rosy and Nelson be doing all this time? The door opened and Bee sprang up.
"Have you found it, Rosy?" she cried eagerly.
But it was not Rosy, though she was following behind. The first person that came in was Mrs. Vincent. She looked grave and troubled.
"Beata," she said, "you have heard about Rosy's necklace. Tell me all about the last time you saw it."
"It was when Rosy let Fixie have it to play with," began Bee, and she told all she remembered.
"And you are sure—quite sure—you never have seen it since?"
"Quite sure," said Bee. "I never touch Rosy's things without her leave."
Nelson gave a sort of cough. Bee turned round on her. "If you've anything to say you'd better say it now, before Mrs. Vincent," said Bee, in a tone that, coming from the gentle kindly little girl, surprised every one.
"Bee!" exclaimed Mrs. Vincent, "What do you mean? Nelson has said nothing about you." This was quite true. Nelson was too clever to say anything right out. She had only hinted and looked wise about the necklace to Rosy, giving her a feeling that Bee was more likely to have touched it than any one else.
Bee was going to speak, but Rosy's mother stopped her. "You have told us all you know," she said. "I don't want to hear any more. But I am surprised at you, Bee, for losing your temper about being simply asked if you had seen the necklace. You might have forgotten at first if you had had it again for Fixie, and you might the second time have forgotten to put it back. But there is nothing to be offended at, in being asked about it."