(MARY enters, and looks at the basket.)
MARY.—A basket on the sidewalk! What does it mean? (Takes it up.) It is full of shoestrings. I will take it to my mother, and ask her
to find the owner. (MARY takes up the basket, and is going out, when RUTH enters.)
RUTH.—Are you the girl I bought shoestrings of?
MARY.—No: I have not sold any. These are not mine.
RUTH.—Have you seen any thing of a purse about here?
MARY.—No: I have seen no purse. (Goes off-with the basket.)
RUTH.—- Oh! here comes the little girl I was looking for; and she has my purse in her hand. (Enter EMILY.) That is my purse, little girl.
EMILY (giving RUTH the purse).—Take it. I was looking for you. But where is my basket of shoestrings?