While she was waiting, she talked with Hitty, and soon became as much interested in her as the teacher had been.
Presently Nelly came in, followed by her cousin. She started and blushed when she saw Hitty; but Frankie ran to the little girl, asking, "What is the matter with your head? Have you hurt yourself?"
"No," replied Hitty; "she did it," pointing to Nelly.
"Look here," said her aunt, raising the cloth and pointing to the swelling, which was half as large as an egg.
Frankie exclaimed, "O, dear! I'm sorry. Does it ache bad?"
Nelly held down her head and began to cry. She was very much frightened at what she had done.
"Frankie," said his mother, "you may go down with Hitty to the cook, and ask her for a piece of cake for the little girl. Then you may walk with her as far as your teacher's, and wait till I come. Hitty, you may go home and tell your mother I shall bring Nelly there soon, to have her say what punishment so naughty a girl deserves."
"O, don't, aunty! don't take me there! I'm afraid to go!" sobbed Nelly, catching hold of her aunt.
"Sit down," said Mrs. Gray, gravely.
"What are you going to do with me?" asked the child, in an agony of fear.