“Beginning with the first aisle, the girls may go to the cloak room and hang up their hats,” announced Miss Mason, just as if Meg had spoken aloud. “Then after all the girls have returned, the boys may go, aisle by aisle. And I want no whispering or unnecessary delay.”
Before the last of the boys had found a hook for his cap, clang! went the gong again and a piano some distance away sounded a lively march.
“Stand!” said Miss Mason. “Margaret, you may lead the line. Come here.” Meg stood quietly. 34
“Margaret Blossom!” and this time Miss Mason’s voice sounded impatient. “Is the child dreaming? You’re holding back the whole room.”
Meg blushed and came forward hastily. To tell the truth, she had not realized that Miss Mason was speaking to her––the unfamiliar “Margaret” bewildered her.
“Take your place here,” commanded Miss Mason, pushing her gently into a place in the doorway. “And when you see the last child leave that room opposite, wheel in after her and follow to the auditorium.”
Meg looked around for Bobby. He was near the end of the long line that had formed around the sides of the room, and when he caught his sister’s eye he grinned and nodded encouragingly to her.
“You’ll do all right,” he seemed to say.