She rushed into the gymnasium, and calling Netta aside, showed her the fatal document. The two talked it over, aghast.
"Whew! This is a bad job!" exclaimed Netta. "Certainly it looks as if Emma had decamped with the one pound two and six. She's left the school, you know."
"I didn't know," sighed Gwen.
"Yes, she went ten days ago. Haven't you noticed there's a new housemaid waiting at dinner? You must be as blind as a bat!"
"I'm afraid I am done for," said Gwen dramatically.
"Oh, I shouldn't give up too soon if I were you! I suppose, by the by, you wouldn't care to tell your father?"
"I'd rather die!"
"Then you'll have to go somehow to Parker's, and ask if they've made a mistake. If, as I strongly suspect, Emma really didn't pay it, then you might get them to take part on account now, and leave the rest till after Christmas. What could you give them?"
"I don't possess more than sixpence. I'm bankrupt, and in debt to you, too."
"But you're sure to get something at Christmas, aren't you?"