Mrs. Parlin was at a loss to understand this, for she had quite forgotten the fact, that the children had any cake to use at their play of housekeeping.  She supposed that Susy must have accused Annie of prying into the china-closet, where the cakes and jellies were kept.  She sent for Susy at once.

“My daughter,” said she, in her usual quiet tones, “did you ever have any reason to suppose that Annie Lovejoy went about meddling with our things, and peeping into the closets?”

“Why, no, mother,” replied Susy, much surprised; “she never saw the closets, that I know of.  Why, mother, what do you mean?”

“Never ate cake, did she, without leave?”

“O, now I know what you mean, mother!  Yes’m, she ate some of that fruit-cake you gave us to play with; and when I told her of it, she got angry, and said she was going right home, and would tell her mother how I treated my company; but I don’t see how you found that out!”

“Never mind yet how I found it out, my dear.  I want to know if you are sure that Annie ate the cake?”

“Yes, mother:  just as certain sure as I can be!  You know Dotty can’t reach that high shelf in the nursery-closet, and I can’t, without getting 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?”