"Land sakes!" Sarah exclaimed; "and only this noon looked like yo' was walkin' on air!"
Patricia went to bed early that night; even Custard's powers to comfort had proved inadequate. To-morrow stretched ahead a long, blank, dreary waste.
She was a little late to breakfast the next morning; as she slipped into place, after kissing him good-morning, the doctor glanced at her rather closely. She was a most subdued Patricia.
And then grandmother came in, also a little late. "Patricia," she said, almost at once, "after breakfast I want you to run over and ask Mrs. Hardy if Nell may go in town with you and me to-day—to the circus."
Patricia caught her breath—so that was the "special reason!"
Then she pushed her chair back. "I—can't go!" she cried; and was halfway upstairs before any of the others could speak.
Mrs. Cory turned to Miss Kirby. "What can be the matter?"
Miss Kirby shook her head. "Do you know what it means, Patrick?"
The doctor looked guilty. "I am afraid it means—that Patricia has been late to school again."
"But I thought," grandmother began, then stopped; as soon as she had finished her breakfast she went up to Patricia's room.