while you were sleeping and, fearing that someone might step on the beads, I fastened them about your neck without wakening you, and then, when you stood up, they slipped down inside of your pinafore in front, so that you did not see them. You did not think to feel at your neck, for you were so certain that you left them on the rug, and your neck-ruffles hid them from the sight of others. Now do you not think, dear, that you misjudged Mother very cruelly?'
"'Yes'm.' I said, very much ashamed; 'But why didn't you tell me where they were when I asked you for them?'
"'Do you remember how you came to me? You accused me of destroying them, and asked me for them in the same breath. You had them already, and needed only to find it out by realizing
