EMILY.--Emily Swift.

RUTH.--Well, Emily Swift, I think you are mistaken in supposing that the
little girl meant to steal your basket. Bring her to me. (EMILY _goes
out._) What a pleasant thing it would be to have a purse so full, that
one could keep on giving from it, and never find it empty! But here come
the children.

(EMILY _leads in_ MARY).

EMILY.--Here she is. She says she was taking the basket to her mother,
so that her mother might find the owner.

RUTH.--And do you doubt her word?

EMILY.--Doubt her word? Not I! She is too good a little girl to tell a
falsehood. Just look in her face, and you will see that she speaks the
truth.

RUTH.--Yes, Emily Swift, you are right.

EMILY.--Goodness me! What is that thing coming this way?

MARY.--I am afraid of it. Is it a man?

RUTH.--As I live, it is Uncle Peter!

EMILY.--Who is Uncle Peter?