"
"You couldn't have done so. This money would not have gone without
hands. How am I to manage I don't know. I have lost a large sum for such
a poor woman."
Susy pitied her mother, tried to assure her that the fault was not hers,
was convinced that the money would be found, and went on talking a lot
of nonsense until Mrs. Hopkins fairly lost her temper.
"Examine the drawer for yourself" she said. "I tell, you what it is,
Susy, I won't be able to buy you a new winter frock at all this year;
and you will have to have your boots patched, for I can't afford a new
pair. I was trying to collect a pound towards your winter things, but
this puts a stop to everything."
"Mother doesn't know what a lovely blouse I've got," thought Susy. "When
she sees me in that she'll be quite cheered up."
The moment she thought of the blouse the little girl felt a frantic
desire to run upstairs to look at it.
"Mother," she said, "I don't mind a bit about the winter dress; and if
my boots are neatly patched and well blacked every day, I dare say I can
do with them a little longer. And I will sit with you this afternoon,
mother, and help you to sew. I can't understand who could have stolen
the money. Perhaps it is a practical joke of Tom's; you know he is fond
of doing things of that sort now and then."
"No, it isn't, for I asked him. Who can have come into the shop? Do you
think you fell asleep over your work?"
"Oh, no.
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