Cynthia Fogg flashed the jolly girl a single wondering glance. That anybody should show particular interest in her seemed to amaze her.
“I—don’t—know,” said Madam Hammersly, slowly, looking at the applicant thus introduced with her very sharp eyes. “You may sit down, girl. I will see you after I have finished with the young ladies.”
She at once made a sharp distinction between the pupils of the school and the applicant for work. Cynthia calmly turned to seat herself in a chair in a retired corner of the room. Madam Hammersly looked again at Beth, and with more interest.
“And this is Miss Baldwin?” she asked.
“Beth Baldwin, Madam,” said Molly, naively. “And she’s awfully nice.”
“I do not doubt it,” said the lady, kindly. “I hope you will find Rivercliff a pleasant home and school, Miss Baldwin. You will not see Miss Hammersly until morning. Then you may go to her office for examination after prayers, which immediately follow breakfast. Miss Granger can tell you all about the rules of the school—not because she never breaks them, however,” she added, with grim pleasantry.
“Go to Miss Small for your supper, Miss Granger. Later I will see if I can do as you wish about Miss Baldwin’s room. Have your trunks come?” she suddenly asked Beth.
“My trunk and bag came with me, Madam,” answered Beth.
“The remainder of your baggage will come later, I presume?” said madam.
“Why, that trunk is all I have!” Beth blurted out.