"She aint worthy to be even a slum girl," thought Rosy to herself.
"Yes, ma'am," she continued—and she dropped a most beautiful courtesy, one that even Mrs. Peach would have approved of—"I will take your message, ma'am. And I'm much obliged to all you young ladies. It has given me a great deal of pleasure to tell the story of my darling Miss Christian and myself." Then Rose trotted upstairs.
She entered Christian's room. Christian had little spots of color on each cheek, and her eyes were perhaps a trifle too bright.
"They all took to it most kindly, Miss Christian," said innocent Rose. "I told them everything from beginning to end, and I think I done it well; and Miss Peacock said I was to tell you that they all sent you their dearest love. But there's one girl down there that I can't abide anyhow. I don't think she sent any message, for I don't believe for a single moment she knows even the meaning of love. But the others did. They're precious fond of you, Miss Christian. I doubt if it was worth running away from a school of this sort."
"Oh, it was not, Rosy! Oh, Rosy, I am so relieved! They know it all—everything?"
"Every single crumb of it, Miss Christian, darling; and I did enjoy myself in the telling it."
CHAPTER XXX A PRISONER IN THE TOOL-HOUSE
When the story was over and the narrator had gone away, Miss Peacock also rose. She stood and faced the girls.