Christian said her prayers—quite earnest ones, in which she implored of God to help her—and then she got into bed. She was just getting warm between the cozy sheets, when the door was softly opened and little Miss Jessie peeped in.
"Ah! you are in bed," she said; "that's right. I have only come to fetch the tray. Your fire will burn for some hours. It is so cold just at present that we will have it lit before you get up in the morning. That is a special indulgence which will only be granted to you just for to-morrow. To-morrow will be a complete holiday for you. I thought you might like to know. You will be able to unpack and get everything into apple-pie order. Then you will make the acquaintance of the girls, and get to know the ways of the school. You will probably have some lessons to prepare for the next day, but only if you are quite well enough to undertake them. Miss Peacock said I was to be very careful about you. I suppose that is on account of your illness that kept you from school."
As Miss Jessie said the last words Christian suddenly sat up in bed.
"I wasn't kept away from school by illness," she said in a choking voice.
"Well, never mind, dear; it doesn't matter what it was. Our dear head-mistress knows."
"Miss Jessie," said Christian, "I don't know what your other name is."
"I am never called by it, dearest. My other name is Jones; quite a common name, isn't it? But I am always known here as Jessie, or Miss Jessie. Lie down now and go to sleep."
"I can't until I tell you something. I must tell you."
"Well, love, if it relieves your mind; but really and truly I would much rather——"