ng into a chair; and Prudy can't walk a step; and Flossy despises
cake."

"But," said Mrs. Parlin, smiling, "I don't see that you have proved
Annie to be the guilty one."

"Guilty? O, I don't know as she is _guilty_, mamma; but she ate the
cake! She ate it right before my face and eyes; but I told her it was
just as well, she was perfectly welcome, and tried to be as polite as if
she was a grown-up lady, mother. But, O, dear, it didn't make a speck of
difference how much I said; for the more I said, the more angry she
grew, and I couldn't make her believe I didn't think she was a thief and
a liar! Only think, a thief and a liar! But I never said those words at
all, mother!"

"Very well, my dear; I am sure you did not. It is a great comfort to
me, Susy, that I can always rely on your word. You have done nothing
wrong, and need not be unhappy; but Mrs. Lovejoy sends for you to go
over and tell her just what you mean about the cake; are you willing to
go?"

Susy was not willing; indeed, she was very much frightened, and begged
her mother to excuse her in some way to Mrs. Lovejoy, or, if that would
not do, to go herself and explain the matter for her.

But, as it was Susy's own affair, Mrs. Parlin wished to have as little
to do with it as possible. Besides, she considered it a good opportunity
to teach Susy a lesson in moral courage.

Susy started very reluctantly.

"I'm afraid Mrs. Lovejoy will scold real sharp," said she. "What shall I
do? O, mother, I didn't see Annie eat _all_ the cake; I didn't watch.
How do I know but she gave some crumbs to the cat? Can't I--can't I say,
I _guess_ the cat ate it?"

"Susy!" said Mrs. Parlin, sternly, "are you more afraid of displeasing
Mrs. Lovejoy than you are of displeasing God? All that is required of
you is the simple truth. Merely say to Annie's mother just what you have
said to me; that you saw Annie eating cake several times, though there
was no harm in it, and you did _not_ call her either a thief or a liar.
Speak respectfully, but decidedly; and when you have said all that is
necessary, leave her politely, and come home."

Susy called up all her courage when she entered Mrs. Lovejoy's house,
and saw that lady sitting very erect on a sofa, with a bleak face, which
looked somehow as if a north-east wind had blown over it, and frozen it.

"Well, little girl," said she, without waiting for ceremony, "so you
call my Annie all the bad names you can think of, it seems. I