"Have you tried to rouse her?" Mrs. Marvin said, her fine face showing genuine alarm.
"I knocked three times, but received no reply, and the door is locked."
"I will go to her," Mrs. Marvin said. "You may open school for me. Say nothing to the other girls. I will talk with them at the noon recess."
Mrs. Marvin hurried up the stairway, and along the upper hall to the corner room. She paused before tapping. If Ida Mayo had been crying, she was not crying now.
She knocked and waited. Knocked again, and again she waited.
"Ida, you must open your door for me. This is Mrs. Marvin."
The morning session had opened, and fresh young voices could be plainly heard. They were singing Ida's favorite, an old song, "All hail, pleasant morning."
Mrs. Marvin heard a faint sob.
"Ida, I am your friend. Let me in, and tell me what troubles you." No response.
"Open the door quickly, or I shall call Marcus to force it open."