In this condition of mind he went to school next day, hoping that a pleasant greeting and a few smiles from Nellie would dissipate the vision that had so haunted him. Perhaps they would have done so, but he had not the pleasure of testing so desirable a remedy.
Nellie came late—after school had commenced.
"It is just my luck that she should be late to-day," he thought, "when she is always so punctual."
He often looked toward her seat, but could not catch her eye. She seemed unusually busy with her books.
Matthew did not know what to make of it. He looked at his watch—a handsome gold one that his father had given him as a birthday present. It wanted only fifteen minutes of recess time.
"I will see her then," thought Matthew.
The bell rang, and the scholars left their seats and passed out into the anteroom—all save those who wished to remain and study.
Matthew grew anxious as Nellie did not come out with the other girls. Recess was half gone. He made an excuse to go to his seat on the pretense of getting something, but really to try and speak to Nellie. She was with the teacher, however, who was assisting her to work a difficult example.
Matthew returned to the anteroom angry. He could not bear the disappointment gracefully.
"She avoids me for some cause," he said to himself, and then wondered what it could be. "Last night," he reflected, "we were the best of friends. Can it be possible that Simmons has already told the secret? He threatened yesterday that he would unless I made a payment."