Poor _Fanny_ could do nothing but pick up the tattered bits, and carry them sorrowfully into the house; even those who blamed her negligence could not help pitying her; and she found Miss _Lydia_, in particular, ready to cry with her, and to share in her trouble.
The next morning, as _Lydia_ and her little friend were talking over this accident, _Fanny_ said, her greatest concern was, that Mrs. _Grant_ would know she had taken so little care of her present; and that she could not bear the thought of seeing her; but, says she, one of the maids told me, she had got a piece of blue silk just the colour of mine, and she had a cousin who was a miliner, and would give her a bit of blond lace and ribbon, and she would make me a bag and needle-book, just like the others; and that I might buy a sheath with my own money; and if we could but find the thimble, Mrs. _Grant_ need never know it; for, as your Mamma was out all day yesterday, and does not come home till to-morrow, she need know nothing of the matter; and who else will tell? It may be very good-natured in _Sarah_, said Miss _Lydia_; but I hope, my dear _Fanny_, you are too good to do such a mean, deceitful trick; if, you say, you could not bear to see Mrs. _Grant_ now, I think it must distress you a great deal more to see her when you knew you were trying to deceive her; and how dreadful it would be to hear her commend you for taking such care of your bag, when you were conscious how you have behaved. I am sure, if no creature were to find me out, I should be very miserable; and if you should be found out, what would become of you then?
You are a great deal better than I am, said _Fanny_; and now I consider about it, I dare say my Mamma would be very sorry I should do so; and so I must tell Mrs. _Grant_ the whole truth, I think—but I shall look so foolish!
Sometime after the loss of the work-bag, the family received an invitation to dine at Mrs. _Grant_’s. On the day they were to go, Miss _Lydia_ took an opportunity of seeing her Mamma alone, and asking her advice. I do not like, Mamma, said she, to take my work-bag with me, because I think it will mortify poor _Fanny_ so, and look as if I wanted to show I was more careful than she; and yet I am afraid of appearing uncivil to Mrs. _Grant_, who desired me to bring it.