By the first of December, Mrs.
Redburn had so far recovered her health as to be able to take charge of the manufacturing part of the business, and Katy was permitted to go to school, though she supplied the girls in the morning and at noon, and settled all their accounts.
One day she received a call from Michael, Mrs.Gordon's man, requesting her attendance in Temple Street.

She obeyed the summons; but when she met Mrs.Gordon and Grace, she was alarmed to see how coldly and reproachfully they looked upon her.
"I have heard a very bad story about you, Katy," said Mrs.Gordon.
"About me ?" gasped she.
"Yes; and I was very sorry to hear it." "What was it, ma'am?
I hope I haven't done anything to lose your good will." "I am afraid you have." "I don't believe she did it, mother," said Grace.

"She is too good to do any such thing." "What is it?
Do tell me." "I have been told that a little girl, who sells candy, has been playing tricks upon passers-by in the streets; that she tells lies and deceives them." "I never did such a thing!" protested Katy, her cheeks covered with the blush of indignation.
Mrs.Gordon explained the deception, and spoke in very severe terms of it.

The trick had been played off on a friend of hers, who had told of it the evening before.
"When was it, ma'am ?" asked Katy.
"Yesterday forenoon." "I was in school then.

Besides, I haven't sold any candy in the street for more than three weeks." "I knew it wasn't she!" exclaimed Grace triumphantly.
"I was very unwilling to believe it," added Mrs.Gordon; "but the description seemed to point you out as the little deceiver." "I wouldn't do such a thing, ma'am.