Blue Bonnet looked exceedingly sober. Being put on her honor meant all to the girl that Mr. Hunt had known it would. “I’ll promise, Mr. Hunt,” she said, after a moment or two.
Miss Rankin had had more than one inattentive pupil that forenoon. As the morning went by and Blue Bonnet did not reappear, excitement ran high among the “We are Seven’s.”
“Mean old thing!” Kitty telegraphed to Debby, behind their teacher’s back.
And Debby nodded agreement.
Just before afternoon school, Blue Bonnet came in and went straight to Miss Rankin’s desk. There was a straining of eyes and ears, but nothing was heard of the low conversation that followed. Then, for a moment, Miss Rankin laid a hand on Blue Bonnet’s shoulder,—a most unwonted demonstration.
A moment after, Blue Bonnet turned and came slowly down the aisle to her place.
“Where have you been, Elizabeth Ashe?” Kitty demanded.
“In various places,” Blue Bonnet answered.
“I was just thinking about organizing a relief expedition!”