RUTH.—Why, that little girl yonder has it. See her there, crossing the street.
EMILY.—It is my basket. She has taken what does not belong to her.
RUTH.—Run, and bring her to me. (EMILY starts to go out.) Stop! What is your name?
EMILY.—Emily Swift.
RUTH.—Well, Emily Swift, I think you are mistaken in supposing that the little girl meant to steal your basket. Bring her to me. (EMILY goes out.) What a pleasant thing it would be to have a purse so full, that one could keep on giving from it, and never find it empty! But here come the children.
(EMILY leads in MARY).
EMILY.—Here she is. She says she was taking the basket to her mother, so that her mother might find the owner.
RUTH.—And do you doubt her word?
EMILY.—Doubt her word? Not I! She is too good a little girl to tell a falsehood. Just look in her face, and you will see that she speaks the truth.
RUTH.—Yes, Emily Swift, you are right.