"Do as you like, Nance; only for mercy's sake don't make a fool of yourself over that family, for it strikes me forcibly they're becoming too grand for us."
Nancy said nothing further. She returned to the house and sat down in the room where Penelope slept. Her work-basket was open. She was making a pretty new necktie for herself. Nancy was a very clever workwoman, and the necktie grew under her nimble fingers. Presently she dived into the bottom of the basket and took out a gold thimble with a sapphire top and turquoises round the rim. She slipped it on to the tip of her slender first finger.
"I must send it back again," she said to herself. "I'd have done it before, but Pauline is away."
Just then she was attracted by a sound on the sofa. She turned. Pen's big black eyes were wide open; she was bending forward and gazing at the thimble.
"Oh, child, how you startled me! What do you mean?"
"Why, that's Aunty Sophy's thimble. I was to get a penny if I found it."
"How did it get into your work-basket?" asked Pen.
"I borrowed it from Paulie, and I'd have given it to her long ere this, but I heard she was away."
"Give it to me," cried Penelope. Her voice quite shook in her eagerness. "Give it to me at once, and I will take it back to her."
"I wish you would, Pen, I am sure; but you must be very careful not to lose it, for it is a real beauty. See, I will put it into this little box, and cover the box up."
Penelope pressed close to Nancy. Nancy placed the thimble in the midst of some pink cotton-wool and looked at it affectionately; then she tied up the little box, put brown paper round it, tied string round that again, and then she held it out to Pen.
"You are quite positive you won't lose it?" she said.
"Positive. I has a big pocket, and no hole in it. See for yourself, there's no hole. Turn it out, will you?"
Penelope's pocket proved to be quite safe, and Nancy, with a qualm at her heart which she could not account for, allowed the little girl to put the thimble therein.
"Well, that is settled," she cried. "And now I want to know what you came for. You are going to have dinner with father and me after a bit."
"No, I'm not," answered Pen. "I'm going home at once."
"But why did you come? Did Pauline send me a message?"