They were trying to readjust their mental attitude towards Miss Hopkins, and transfer her from the mathematical plane to the sentimental. To do so required a wrench, but it was decidedly thrilling. They all suddenly began to remember symptoms of incipient romance on the part of the mistress.
"She wears a locket on her watch-chain. It's probably got his photo inside," decided Ethelberga.
"And she always snatches up her letters in a frantic hurry," added Janet sagely.
"Has she known him long?" asked Avelyn.
Irma nodded doubtfully.
"I should think it's probably quite an old affair. They may have been boy and girl together."
"Perhaps they've been separated for years and years, and have only just cleared up their misunderstandings," suggested Laura.
"Was he holding her hand?" asked Janet.
"N—no, I can't say he was holding her hand; but then, you see, I'd knocked at the door first, and she'd said 'Come in!'"
"That would give them time," agreed Janet.