"We would have to do as he says whether he was guardian or not," said Sarah dully. "He wants to take the farm. He has already taken the fence down. It is nothing to be done." Then she burst into tears. "If they would only give me a chance once! If they would let me try, I could show them what I could do. I know how the crops should be, and Ebert would work for the half, now like always. It would be just like when my pop was alive. Or if Uncle Daniel would farm and give us the half, like Ebert, so we could get along. Then we could stay together. But now we have nothing. If William comes home, he won't have any place to go. He won't—"
"Listen a minute, Sarah!" said Miss Miflin. Then she did not go on at once, but turned over the paper with hands which trembled.
"Who makes him guardian?" asked Sarah.
"The judge," replied Miss Miflin absently.
"If I only could—"
"Wait a minute," said Miss Miflin again. "It may not have been decided yet. Perhaps if we went in, they would let us talk. Perhaps—"
Her hand went out suddenly to the bell-rope.
"There is a train in half an hour. We shall have to hurry. Come, children, get your caps and shawls. There will be no more school till to-morrow."
Sarah looked at her dully. She had no idea of what Miss Miflin meant to do. The children vanished with whoops of delight over the unexpected holiday.
"Now, Sarah, we are going to town."