“Yes.”
“Well, I’ll go get it. But you certainly will be the death of me!” cried Jennie, and opened the door again.
“Oh! I’ll thank you so much,” whispered Nancy.
“Go on upstairs and put that coat and hat away,” ordered Jennie, with sudden gruffness. “You’re no more fit to roam this wild desert of boarding-school life alone than a baby in long clothes! Run, now!” and Jennie darted out of the door.
But it was easier to say than to do! When Nancy stole back into the main hall there were a dozen girls, at least, gathered there waiting for the supper gong. And among them were some of those who had, all the time, treated Nancy with the least consideration.
Nancy dropped her gaze, so as not to see their unpleasant looks, and stole toward the stairway with her bundle. But suddenly Cora’s sharp voice halted her. She had not seen Cora at first.
“Yes! there she goes up to our room. That’s the girl I have to room with. But I’m going to tell Madame Schakael right now that I sha’n’t do so any longer.”
Nancy’s head came up and she flushed and paled. The lash of Cora’s words roused her temper as it had been roused once before. Yet all she said in reply to the cruel speech was:
“Why can’t you let me alone, Cora Rathmore?”
“I’ll let you alone!” repeated Cora, with a shrill laugh. “I guess I will. And every other nice girl will let you alone, Miss Nelson. Don’t be afraid that you’ll be worried by friends here. We all know what you are now.”