Ishmael had just finished setting his last copy and was engaged in piling the copy-books neatly, one on top of another, when there came a soft tap at the door.
"Come in," said Ishmael, fully expecting to see some of the refractory boy's friends come to inquire after him.
The door opened and a very young lady, in a gray silk dress, straw hat, and blue ribbons entered the schoolroom.
Ishmael looked up, gave one glance at the fair, sweet face, serious blue eyes, and soft light ringlets, and dropped his copy-books, came down from his seat and hurried to meet the visitor, exclaiming:
"Bee! Oh, dear, dear Bee, I am so glad to see you!"
"So am I you, Ishmael," said Beatrice Middleton, frankly giving her hand to be shaken.
"Bee! oh, I beg pardon! Miss Middleton I mean! it is such a happiness to me to see you again!"
"So it is to me to see you, Ishmael," frankly answered Beatrice.
"You will sit down and rest, Bee?—Miss Middleton!" exclaimed Ishmael, running to bring his own school chair for her accommodation.
"I will sit down, Bee. None of my old schoolmates call me anything else, Ishmael, and I should hardly know my little self by any other name," said Bee, taking the offered seat.