"Come into what?" asked two or three of the day scholars coming up as she spoke.
Delia unfolded her plan which was received with universal approbation, for the gentle, patient little Kitty was a favorite with all. Delia was appointed treasurer of the fund, and all the girls promised to bring their money in the afternoon.
"How wretchedly Emily Arlington looks lately," remarked Annette, as they were standing round the dinner table, waiting as usual for Mrs. Pomeroy to come in, before taking their seats. "She does not look like the same girl that she was when she first came here. I don't believe school life agrees with her."
"She has been working very hard for the Christmas tree," replied her companion, "and then I dare say she feels the confinement, for she was never at school before in her life. I believe Mrs. Pomeroy thinks she works too hard, for I heard her tell her that she might be excused from study last night."
"She is a good girl," said Annette. "Do you know, she cried this morning, when Mrs. Pomeroy told us about Kitty's losing her money? I saw the tears in her eyes several times."
"Yes, she has a great deal of feeling. But then every one is sorry for Kitty. I think Delia showed her sympathy in the best way by proposing the contribution."
Not one of the girls forgot to bring her money. Delia's little leather bag was quite filled with dimes and quarters, and when she came to count her money, there were twelve dollars instead of ten. Louisa proposed returning the surplus, but none of the girls were willing to take back what they had given, and finally Emily suggested that they should buy a present for Kitty with the extra two dollars, and hang it on the Christmas tree. Her idea was received with great applause, and Bella Faushane and one of the day scholars were appointed a committee to select the present. Emily was placed on the committee but she declined, and could not be prevailed upon to have any thing more to do with the matter, and Delia was put in her place.
"What in the world ails you, Emily?" asked Delia, as she went to her room to put on her bonnet. "It is a new thing for you to decline an opportunity of going out."
"If you had any idea how tired I am and how my head aches, you would not wonder that I am glad to keep quiet," said Emily. "I should wish I were dead, only I am not sure that I should be any better off. Oh dear, I would give all I ever had in the world, if I had never seen the inside of this school."
Delia was touched by the tone of utter despondency, and wretchedness in which Emily spoke. She had fully made up her mind as to the cause of all this misery, but it was no part of her plan to have Emily guess how much she knew, and she answered soothingly, "Oh, don't give way so, Emily. You are only tired and nervous. You will feel better to-morrow."