小婦人沒有隱瞞的意思。偷(分好幾種)在美國法律下的定義包括至少兩個因素:(1)taking the object and (2) a motive (intention) -- not to repay. If 小婦人's daughter's motive is to (1) get debt paid or (2) will repay the neighbour later, then there cannot be a conviction of 偷 under any state law.
Believe it or now, if you take your neighbour's car in the morning and return it a few days later, it is not a larceny or theft.