A young girl named Linda is distressed over the disappearance of her prized scissors, which she believes were taken by the new housemaid, Sophy. Her grandmother, while sympathetic, advises her against jumping to conclusions about theft. To calm Linda, she recounts a personal story from her youth involving a lost diamond brooch. In her tale, the grandmother describes a summer day when she was excited to host an old friend and her husband. She prepared her home and herself, donning a beautiful diamond brooch that she loved. The day went splendidly, with guests admiring her home and her husband. After the visit, she changed into her riding habit, instructing Sophy to tidy her room. However, upon returning, she discovered that her brooch was missing. Despite searching high and low, it could not be found. The grandmother felt guilty for allowing a stranger like Sophy into her personal space, especially as her maid expressed distrust towards the new girl. Weeks passed, and the brooch remained lost, causing tension in the household. Just before Sophy was to leave, the grandmother was called to the kitchen by the cook, who had made a delightful discovery. Hidden beneath the leaves of a cauliflower was the lost brooch, which had fallen from her dress during the garden visit. The grandmother's joy was immense, and Sophy, relieved and happy, decided to stay on, continuing to work for her for over twenty years. Returning to the present, Linda reveals that she found her scissors caught in her dress, resolving her earlier distress. The story illustrates themes of trust, the consequences of suspicion, and the joy of resolution.
By Mary Louisa Molesworth · First published 1897 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fiction, Mystery