Professor Minturn held out his arms. He was frowning; he felt suddenly a great anxiety and uneasiness. But he was sure that he had asked the child whether she was well; he could not have been so careless as to give her extra work without ascertaining that. She had always looked strong. He could not believe that this pale child could be that same rosy-cheeked little girl who had worked with such spirit.
"Let me take her upstairs," he said nervously.
By the time he returned, Dr. Brownlee was coming in at the front door.
"You'll come down and tell us at once how she is and what is the matter, doctor?" he said. "She's a favorite pupil of mine."
Then he went in and took his seat by the window in the faculty room, among his colleagues who were waiting for him, and the meeting was called to order.
Dr. Brownlee tapped at the door before the business was fairly begun.
"I beg your pardon," he said. "I thought I could get back before your meeting was in session."
"Come in," invited Dr. Ellis. "How is your patient? What is the trouble?"
Dr. Brownlee's answer was prompt and to the point.
"Overstudy."