“Honor, I didn’t mean any harm! I swear to you I didn’t mean any harm. I went in, and the ring was on the pincushion, and I tried it on, and--and--just then Sophie came in, and I didn’t want her to see me with it, and I slipped it into my pocket, meaning to put it back when she had gone out--oh, dear! oh, dear! how _could_ I?” The wailing sobs broke out again.
“Quiet! quiet!” Honor was stroking her forehead with a firm soft hand. “There! there! Go on! You meant to put it back; of course you did. And then--”
“The bell rang for class, and Sophie was still there, sweeping, you know--and I had to go. It was _dictée_, and you know that takes all there is of me, and then I can’t do it decently! Honor, could any one believe I could forget it--the ring, I mean? I did! oh, truly, truly I did! And out in the garden at recess--I pulled out my handkerchief, and--and--”
“And out it came!” Honor finished for her. “Of course I believe every word, Maria. Of course any one would who had any sense. Didn’t you tell Patricia? Didn’t you tell them all, that moment?”
“I _couldn’t_!” Maria’s voice fell into an agonized whisper. “I _couldn’t_, Honor! Patricia looked at me--oh, pray to God that no one will ever look so at you as long as you live!” cried the poor girl. “And she said--”
“What did she say? Quiet, my dear! quiet! words never killed anybody!”
“She said, _‘Tiens!_ are there two mouse-rings in the Pension? Or perhaps only one?’ Then she picked it up and went away, and I saw her telling the other girls. None of them has spoken to me since then!”
“You poor child! what a wicked, wicked shame!”
“Do you--do you really believe me, Honor?”
Maria spoke timidly, and in the half darkness of the room, Honor could feel her eyes peering anxiously into her own.
“Of course I believe you!” she cried. “Every single word, Maria. Nobody could possibly doubt you. Of course it was a pity, and a silly thing to do, and all that; but--why--there’s nothing _dreadful_ about it, Maria. It has only to be explained, and every one will understand in a minute, and everything will be all right. You see if it isn’t!”
“But I can’t explain! How can I, when no one will speak to me? It’s no use, Honor!”
“I’ll explain! I’ll tell the girls all about it to-morrow, after breakfast, and then everything will be all right. Now you must go to sleep like a good girl. Shut your eyes and let go, and I’ll sing to you.”