A young girl named Patience Mather struggles with her arithmetic lessons, particularly the multiplication table. During a class visit from Squire Bean, a local authority figure, she faces pressure to perform well. When she falters on a question, she receives an unexpected whisper of the correct answer, allowing her to succeed. Squire Bean rewards her with a silver sixpence for her achievement, but Patience, feeling guilty for not earning it honestly, offers to return it. Patience's friendship with Martha Joy is tested when she loses the sixpence while trying to buy peppermints for Martha, who is suffering from a toothache. Patience's guilt intensifies as she fears the repercussions of spending the Squire's money. When Squire Bean summons her to his house, she is terrified, believing she will be punished for her actions. Upon arriving, she recounts her story to Squire Bean, who surprises her by laughing and returning the sixpence, advising her not to spend it again. He acknowledges her honesty and allows her to keep the coin as a bookmark. Patience leaves with a sense of relief and newfound respect for honesty, cherishing the sixpence as a reminder of her values. The story concludes with her safeguarding the coin throughout her life, symbolizing her growth and integrity.
By Mary E. Wilkins · First published 1896 · Genre: Children's Literature, Coming-of-Age, Historical Fiction