"I know it, I know it!" wailed Sarah. "That is the trouble. They will not let me study. When—when they are out I can study, but not when they are with. I will have to go home. I am anyhow too dumb for anybody to learn me anything."
Miss Ellingwood hid her face against Sarah's shoulder.
"Say that again, dear."
"Ach, I mean I am too—too stupid to be taught."
"That is better. Now—" Miss Ellingwood meditated for an instant. She did not approve of putting three persons into a room; even she and Laura had been a little crowded. It would be very difficult for this child to get into studious habits if she were constantly in the room with Ellen and Mabel. They were very evidently not diligent. "Suppose you bring your books over here this evening, Sarah. Perhaps you can study here."
Sarah was not gone for two minutes. Ellen and Mabel had disappeared, and she gathered her books together, made another dab at her hair with her stiff brush, and was back.
Miss Ellingwood had pulled a chair up to the side of her own desk.
"There, Sarah, is a chair and a foot-stool. Now, if I can help you, ask me." And she bent her head over her own work.
Peace descended upon Sarah's heart. Once, she sighed, and Miss Ellingwood looked up.
"Are you tired?"