10Cards

"My dear Bridget!" exclaimed Mrs. Freeman, so surprised by the unexpected apparition that she was actually obliged to rise from her seat and come forward."I cannot go, Bridget. Mrs. Freeman would not give me leave, and she would be only annoyed at my making such a foolish proposition.""No, miss, that it can't," said Marshall, who felt as she expressed it afterward, "that royled by Miss May's 'aughty ways." "I won't keep Miss Collingwood any time, miss, ef you'll be pleased to walk on."

Bridget's excitable eager words were broken by sobs; tears poured out of her lovely eyes, her hands clasped Dorothy's with fervor.

After a little pause, during which neither mistress nor pupil spoke, the pupil raised her head.

[Pg 68]"Well, well," interrupted Janet impatiently, "have your own way, Olive. Make that tiresome, disagreeable girl a female Hercules if you fancy, only cease to talk about her. That is all I have to beg."

10Cards

"I can't eat anything, Marshall," said Bridget, shaking her head. "You are kind; I see by your face that you are very kind. When I'm let out of this horrid prison I'll give you some blue ribbon that I have upstairs, and a string of Venetian beads. I dare say you're fond of finery."

"I could not help myself," replied Dorothy. "You know, of course, Janet, what Bridget did last night?""I don't agree with you," answered Olive. "Strength shows itself in many forms. Miss O'Hara is pretty."

"Yes; does not a mistress always command her pupils?"The girls entered the wide, long dining hall and immediately took their places at the table.

[Pg 72]