She found Bessie sitting on the bench which stood before the flowers, and the other three little girls all tugging and pulling away at one legging, while Marcia stood leaning against the door and laughing.
"Bessie," said the lady, "why do you not let Marcia do that for you? I want you to go down right away."
"I don't want Marcia to do it," answered Bessie.
"You must let her, or else stay in the house," said Miss Ashton. "I cannot have the others kept from their play to help you."
"We like to help her," said Belle.
"You must go out at once, Bessie. Will you let Marcia help you, or no?"
"No," said Bessie, with a pout; for she was not in a good humour that morning, and she felt as if her dislike to Marcia was very strong. "She shan't touch me, and I'd rather stay in the house."
"Very well," said Miss Ashton. "I am sorry you are so naughty, but the rest must go."
She sent the others away, and Marcia after them, and went back to her room, leaving Bessie alone. The little girl sat still for two or three moments, feeling very angry, and swelling with pride and impatience; thinking that Miss Ashton was very unkind, and Marcia, oh, so wicked! and that she wished she had never come to school, even for Maggie's sake.
Presently she saw the coloured girl's head peeping round the door at her. Marcia was good-natured, if she was not very trustworthy; and she felt sorry when she thought of Bessie sitting there all alone, and so she had come back to see if the little lady would not be glad of her help after all.