One after another read out answers. A few went up to Mrs. Craven for assistance.
"Lottie Brower," the lady said presently.
Lottie colored. She had a kind of school-girl grudge against Hester.
"I—I haven't done my sums," she replied slowly.
"Why not?"
"Because the world is coming to an end. They're so hard, and what is the use if we're not going to live longer than next week?"
Every girl stopped her work and stared at Hester, amazed, yet rather enjoying Lottie's audacity.
"How did you come by such an idea?" asked Mrs. Craven quietly.
"But is there any use of studying or anything?" Lottie's voice had a little tremble in it. "I'm sure I don't want the world to come to an end, but——"
"Do your people believe this?"