"Oh, child, whatever is the matter!" exclaimed Miss Jordan, brushing past the two girls and getting her motherly arms around the tottering Helen. "What ever has happened to you?"
"Oh, I--got--weak--I guess I fainted. I am all right now. I am so sorry----"
"Sorry!" exclaimed Jane. "Why, Helen dear, to think you were all alone. And had the door locked so Miss Jordan could not reach you! Sit down and let us get you some ammonia. Judith, it is on my stand. Please fetch it quickly."
No need to tell Judith to hurry, for the color of the little Polish girl's face was warning enough.
"Were you frightened of anything?" asked Miss Jordan, rubbing the trembling hands.
"But no one came in, did they, Helen?" asked Jane in real alarm.
"Oh, no, I--locked the door when I felt so queer. I thought perhaps it was the expressmen, but I could not attend----"
"You were very wise, my dear," and Miss Jordan shook her head thoughtfully. "It was better to be alone, although the experience was unpleasant. Those men might have picked up anything from this collection and then----"
"I am so sorry we left you alone," Judith murmured, with real penitence in her voice. "And to think we were gadding about, while you were ill and needed us so urgently. There, swallow that ammonia. It will soon revive you. I should hate to faint."
"Oh, I am again all right," and the pale face lightened up just a shade. "I am so much of a baby to get sick like that----"