The last freshman in the school was recounting her afternoon's program, when one of the housemaids threw open the door.
The faces all swung instantly around, and the speaker became silent. The newcomer announced her mission without delay:
"An important message for Miss Phillips," she said. "I took it over the telephone."
"Will you give it to me?" asked the latter, rising and advancing to take what she expected to be a written message.
"Yes, ma'am; I didn't write it down," she replied. And before Miss Phillips could warn her not to inform the whole school, she shouted out, to the surprise of everyone,
"Mrs. Johnson sent word that Frieda Hammer has been missing since half-past one this afternoon."
"With Marjorie Wilkinson's canoe!" exclaimed Ruth, in a tone that was audible all over the assembly room.