After a time the most of the girls left the room, and Fanny was alone with Mabel and Bessie. Then it was that she burst into tears, sobbing as if her heart were breaking.
Both girls tried to comfort her.
“What is the matter, Fanny, dear?” asked Bessie, kneeling beside her. “I suppose your nerves are all shaken.”
“She is almost hysterical, poor girl!” said Mabel. “And I do not wonder a bit.”
“Who wouldn’t be, after such a narrow escape?”
“It—it’s—not—that!” sobbed Fanny.
“Not that?”
“No.”
“Then what can be the matter with you, dear?”
“Oh, girls—I’m—I’m just the meanest creature in the—whole world—and I just—just hate and despise myself! So there!”