'That's a dear child; and now you will try not to get into further mischief.'
But to this speech of kind Mrs Macintyre's Hollyhock made no answer, for mischief was the breath of life to her, and to live without it was practically to live without air, without food, without consolation. She looked round the large and wondering school, and observed that all eyes, with the exception of one pair, were fixed on her with great compassion.
'Hollyhock,' said Mrs Macintyre, 'is your cheek very painful?'
'It hurts a bit,' said Hollyhock.
'Then I think I must ask Dr Maguire to call round and look at it.'
'Oh, don't, Mrs Macintyre! I deserved it—I did, truly.'
But Mrs Macintyre had her way, and although she set the other girls to their tasks, she provided Hollyhock with an amusing book, and placed her near a great fire until Dr Maguire arrived and examined the much-swollen cheek.
'Why, you have got a nasty blow, Miss Hollyhock,' he said. 'Did you strike yourself against a tree, or something of that sort?'
'No; 'tis nothing,' replied Hollyhock.
'Well, however it happened is your secret; but I can only say that your jaw was very nearly broken. It isn't broken, however, and I 'll get a soothing liniment, which you are to keep on constantly during the day. I suppose I mustn't inquire how this occurred?'