"Cannot you tell me your name, my dear?" asked Mrs. Ashton.
"Her name is Maggie Stanton Bradford," said Bessie, taking her sister by the hand.
"You should let your sister speak for herself, my dear," said the lady.
"No, ma'am," said Bessie, respectfully but steadily, "I came to school to be of use and comfort to Maggie, and when she don't want to speak 'cause she feels shy, why, she likes me to do it for her, so I have to. And, ma'am, you said you wanted us to be industrious; but I'm 'fraid I can't. I have to be rather lazy."
"My dear child," said Mrs. Ashton, "you surely do not come to school to be lazy."
"Oh yes, ma'am!" said Bessie gravely. "Mamma 'spressly said that I was not to study much, and that was condition that I came to school."
Bessie was growing rather frightened herself at having to speak before so many; but she thought she ought to let Mrs. Ashton know how and why she had come to school, and what was to be expected of her; and that she might as well have her say out at once.
The other children were all listening to her in great astonishment, and some of the great girls in the back room were beginning to laugh. Bessie wondered why they did so, and thought they were not very polite. Mrs. Ashton heard her with a half-smile breaking over her pale face, and Miss Ashton was smiling outright.
"Oh," said Mrs. Ashton, "I understand. You are Bessie Bradford. Mary, I think you should make this matter a little plainer."
Miss Ashton said she would do so; and then the doors were closed again, and the business of the day began.