"But she ain't," responded Cornelius unnecessarily.
"She ain't," echoed Otto Kriloff, his face reflecting his thought.
"When do you s'pose she'll come back?" queried Maggie O'Donnell.
NOby could answer.
"Maybe she never will," said Elsie gloomily,—"anyway till we all get gone."
"Oh, Elsie!" protested Polly.
"Well," was the outing retort, "if High Price stays here much longer—"
"She!" hushed Cornelius, "she's comin'!" For light steps sounded along the corridor.
The children cast furtive, half-frightened glances towards the hall door; but it was not Miss Hortensia Price that smilingly opened it.
"Miss Lucy! Miss Lucy!" they shouted; and with a rush they were upon her, embracing, pulling, squeezing, until she dropped into a chair, laughing and breathless.