anything about the brooch but Marilla was only the more firmly convinced
that she did.
She told Matthew the story the next morning. Matthew was confounded and
puzzled; he could not so quickly lose faith in Anne but he had to admit
that circumstances were against her.
You re sure it hasn t fell down behind the bureau? was the only
suggestion he could offer.
I ve moved the bureau and I ve taken out the drawers and I ve looked
in every crack and cranny was Marilla s positive answer. The brooch
is gone and that child has taken it and lied about it. That s the plain,
ugly truth, Matthew Cuthbert, and we might as well look it in the face.
Well now, what are you going to do about it? Matthew asked forlornly,
feeling secretly thankful that Marilla and not he had to deal with the
situation. He felt no desire to put his oar in this time.
She ll stay in her room until she confesses, said Marilla grimly,
remembering the success of this method in the former case. Then we ll
see. Perhaps we ll be able to find the brooch if she ll only tell
where she took it; but in any case she ll have to be severely punished,
Matthew.
Well now, you ll have to punish her, said Matthew, reaching for his
hat. I ve nothing to do with it, remember. You warned me off yourself.
Marilla felt deserted by everyone. She could not even go to Mrs. Lynde
for advice. She went up to the east gable with a very serious face and
left it with a face more serious still. Anne steadfastly refused to
confess. She persisted in asserting that she had not taken the brooch.
The child had evidently been crying and Marilla felt a pang of pity
which she sternly repressed. By night she was, as she expressed it,
beat out.
You ll stay in this room until you confess, Anne. You can make up your
mind to that, she said firmly.
But the picnic is tomorrow, Marilla, cried Anne. You won t keep me
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