Topsy now confessed to stealing the gloves. But she, still said she had
not taken the ribbon.

'Now, Topsy', said Miss Ophelia kindly, 'if you will confess all about
it I won't whip you this time.'

So Topsy confessed to having stolen both the ribbon and the gloves. She
said she was very, very sorry, and would never do it again.

'Well, now, tell me,' said Miss Ophelia, 'have you taken anything else
since you have been in the house? If you confess I won't whip you.'

'Laws, missis, I took Miss Eva's red thing she wears on her neck.'

'You did, you naughty child! Well, what else?'

'I took Rosa's ear-rings--them red ones.'

'Go and bring them to me this minute--both of them.'

'Laws, missis, I can't--they's burnt up.'

'Burnt up? What a story! Go and get them, or I shall whip you.'

Topsy began to cry and groan, and declare that she could not. 'They's
burnt up, they is.'

'What did you burn them up for?' asked Miss Ophelia.