She liked Mary at once, and after they got home, and Tom was safely in bed, she said to her mother, "I believe poor Mary would be better, if her mother did not make her believe she was very ill."
"Very likely," said Mrs. Winn, but she spoke in an absent manner, for she was troubled about Tom and this fight, fearing it might lead to more trouble for them.
That Tom seemed quite well, and was willing to go to school the next morning, was a great relief to her, and when he brought a message home at dinner time, that Mary would like to see Elsie in the afternoon, Mrs. Winn at once urged her to go as soon as she had cleared the dinner things away.
"I was afraid Mr. Murray might think Tom was to blame for the fight yesterday," said the widow, "as it was begun over something Tom said in school, and so I shall be very glad for you to go and see this girl, for it may smooth matters for Tom, you know."
"Yes, mother," said Elsie, who needed no second bidding to go and see her new friend.
She reached the schoolmaster's house, just as Mrs. Murray was leaving. "Don't talk to her too much. I like her to sleep in the afternoon, because she rests so badly at night," said Mrs. Murray as she went out.
"Poor, dear mother! I wish she did not worry so much about me," said Mary, holding out both her thin white hands to greet her friend. "I am so glad you have come, for I was not at all sure that you would, after what mother told me."
"Why! What did she tell you?" asked Elsie, in some surprise.
"Oh! Nothing to feel hurt about; I only wish I could be mother's right hand as you are."
"I see you thought I should be busy. Well, mother is not at all busy just now, and if she was, I could manage to come and see you in the afternoon; because I could either bring my work or baby with me."