"What do you s'pose that damned school committee done to-night?"
Barbara half-raised herself, her face was pale, and the tears glistened on her eyelashes. Mrs. Stout hurried to head Peter off, but was too late.
"They've discharged Miss Wallace, and—" he stopped abruptly when he came into the room and saw Barbara.
"Discharged!" repeated Barbara as though bewildered, and then she completely lost control of herself, and wept bitterly. Mrs. Stout knelt by her side, and tried to reassure and comfort her, but it was past midnight when Barbara ceased to moan, and asked if she could write a letter.
Mrs. Stout led the trembling girl to a desk, and assured her that Peter would mail the letter, if she wished him to, early the next morning.
Barbara wrote one line:
"Will, I need you, come.
"Barbara."