Then she introduced them all to one another, and went away.
The four whose names were new, were Belle Powers, Dora Johnson, Laura Middleton, and Fanny Leroy. Belle was the little girl in black, who looked so sad.
"Have any of you looked what is in your desks?" asked Nellie Ransom, by way of beginning a conversation. "Carrie and I were the first here, and Miss Ashton showed us. There's a slate, and a spelling-book, and a drawing-book, and a geography, and lots of things. Lift up the covers and look. She'll let you."
No sooner said than done. Ten low desks were ranged around the room, each with a chair of suitable size before it; and one had been given to each child. Every lid, but one, was raised at Nellie's words, and little heads were popped within to discover what lay hidden there. This gave food enough for talk; even Maggie had something to say; only one tongue was silent, and that was Belle's.
"I guess that is 'Sulky Sue,'" whispered Gracie Howard to Maggie and Bessie, looking over at the mournful, quiet child. "She'd better turn her face to the wall, till she comes to."
"Oh, don't!" answered Maggie. "She'll hear you;" and Bessie said, "I think she feels sorry about something, and her dress is so black. Maybe somebody of hers is dead."
"Yes," said Maggie; "and I'm real sorry for her. I would go and speak to her, if—if—I only knew what to say."
"I'll go," said Bessie, and, rising, she walked over to Belle. She did not know what to say either; but she did what was better: she put her arm around the child's neck, and kissed her lips in a way which told Belle of the sympathy that was in her heart.
Then Belle's tears overflowed, and, putting both her own arms about Bessie's waist, she laid her head against her, and cried silently.
"What is the matter?" whispered Bessie.