You
surely wouldn't take her back, would you, Miss Merton?"
"Yes, it is perfectly true," replied the forewoman calmly. "Julie will
return to us next Monday, and I hope all my girls will do everything
they can to make her feel that we are glad to have her back."
"But we're not glad. We don't want her back," cried one girl.
"Why it's impossible after what she did," added another.
"I, for one, wouldn't work in the same room with a girl like that," said
a third, with a toss of her head. "I wouldn't dare leave any of my
belongings out of my sight for a single instant."
"That's just the trouble," chimed several all at once. "We wouldn't feel
safe for a moment knowing there was a thief amongst us."
During this outburst the forewoman sat quietly watching the indignant
faces before her. Then she said very gravely:
"Girls, I think we all misjudged Julie, and really almost owe her an
apology. I have asked her pardon, and though I do not expect you to do
the same, I do ask you to receive her back with kindness."
"Misjudged her! Apology!" gasped Speckles. "She took that money, didn't
she?"
"Yes."
"And a person who takes money that belongs to someone else is a thief,
isn't she?"
"Yes, certainly."
"Well then, I say a thief is a thief, and I don't see where any
misjudging comes in," and Speckles looked defiantly from one to another.
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