I never touch your things when you're not here."
The words were out almost before Grace knew she meant to speak them, and
she was terribly frightened and ashamed. She had never thought she would
be guilty of telling a lie. She hung her head, her cheeks aflame.
Violet noted the child's confusion with a sorely troubled heart.
"No, dear," she said very gently, "I did not suspect you, but if ever you
should meet with an accident, or yield to temptation to do some mischief,
I hope you will come and tell me about it at once. You need not fear that
I will be severe with you, for I love you very dearly, little Gracie."
"Perhaps it was the cat knocked it off the bureau, mamma," said the child,
speaking low and hesitatingly. "I've seen her jump up there several
times."
"Yes; so have I, and she must not be left alone in here any more."
Betty had finished her work and was sent away. Agnes, too, had left the
room, so that Violet and Gracie were quite alone.
"Come, dear, I am quite ready to try this on." Violet said, holding up the
collar. "There, it fits very nicely," as she put it on the child and
gently smoothed it down over her shoulders.
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