"She's clear grit," said Will. "Who 'd have thought the little thing had so much spunk in her? I declare I don't believe there's another one in the house that would have done what she did."
The next forenoon, while Louise and I were sewing in grandmother's room, Miss Stackpole came hurriedly in, looking quite excited.
"Aunt Margaret,—girls," said she, "do you know that, after all, you've got a thief in the house? for you certainly have."
"Lucretia," said grandmother, "explain yourself; what do you mean now?"
"Why, I mean exactly what I said; there's no doubt that somebody in the house is dishonest. I know it; I've lost a valuable pin."
"How valuable?" said grandmother, smiling,—"a diamond one?"
"You need not laugh, Aunt Margaret; it is one of these new pink coral pins, and very expensive indeed. I shall make a stir about it, I can tell you. A pity if I can't come here for a few days without having half my things stolen!"
"And whom do you suspect of taking it?" said grandmother, coolly.
"How do I know? I don't think Dorothy would touch anything that was not her own."
"You don't?" said grandmother, firing up. "I am glad you see fit to make one exception in the charge you bring against the household."