Next Luella said:  “I wonder if we couldn’t just unfasten the bag and look at that letter again.  It’s our letter, you know.”

“Of course, it is.  Give me the bag.  I’ll open it.”

Then, without more ado, Francis deliberately opened the bag.  Thus the second step in wrong-doing was taken.

They examined the letter closely and leisurely, not one minute, but many minutes, passing while they were thus engaged.  Then Luella said:  “I’m going to read the letter.  It’s all the same whether we read it here or at home.”

It proved to be a very kind letter from Aunt Maria, who had lately made them a visit.  She concluded by saying:  “While I was with you I took pleasure in noticing your constant obedience.  As a sort of reward, I enclose for you each a five-dollar gold piece.  Please accept the gift with my love.”

“Where are the gold pieces?” asked Francis, taking the envelope from Luella, “Oh! here’s one in the corner of this thing.  I’ll take this; but where’s the other?”

Where was the other?  It was easier to ask the question than to reply.  The two children folded and unfolded the letter.  They turned the envelope inside out.  They searched through their clothing.  They inspected the grass and the path.  If it had been possible, they would have lifted the stone upon which they had been sitting; but that would have been an herculean task.  At length they reluctantly gave up the search and sadly went on their way homeward.

“I wish we hadn’t opened the letter,” said Luella.  “What are we going to tell mother and father anyhow?”

“Well, I think we’d better tell them the whole story.  Perhaps they’ll help us look for the other gold piece.”

Francis, with the one coin in his hand, naturally took a more hopeful view of the situation than his sister did.

“Perhaps Aunt Maria only put one in the letter,” he suggested.

“Oh, no; she’s too careful for that.  She never makes mistakes,” said Luella, positively.  “I only wish we’d minded.  That’s all.”

Francis echoed the wish in his heart, though he did not repeat it aloud.  Thus, a repentant couple, they entered the house and the study.  Mother was upstairs attending to baby, and father was evidently out.  The brother and sister awaited his return in silence, Luella meanwhile grasping the letter, and Francis the single coin.

“What’s that you have?” asked Mr. Robinson; “a letter?  How did it get out of the bag?”

“It’s ours,” answered Luella, trembling while she spoke.  “We—­we—­we—­” then she burst into tears.

“Let me have it,” commanded Mr. Robinson.

Luella obeyed, and went on weeping while her father read.  Francis wanted to cry, too, but he thought it was unmanly, and choked back the tears.