"I am," Tess replied.
"Then, what is the matter?"
"It's Miss Pepperill."
"Oh, dear me!" murmured Dot. "She fusses over that old Miss Pepperpot as though she were one of the family."
"Is she really worse, dear?" asked Mrs. Eland, softly, of Tess.
"They think she is. And—and, Mrs. Eland! She does call for you so pitifully! Miss Lippit told me so."
"Calls for me?" gasped the matron, paling.
"Yes, ma'am. Miss Lippit says she doesn't know why. Miss Pepperill never knew you very well before she was hurt. But I told Miss Lippit that I could understand it well enough," went on Tess, eagerly. "You'd be just the person I'd want to nurse me if I were sick."
"Thank you, my dear," smiled Mrs. Eland, beginning to breathe freely once more.
"You see, Miss Lippit knows Miss Pepperill pretty well. She knew her out West."