Annie peeped through the crack of the door, and said:
"He's in his seat, sitting up just like this," holding herself very erect. "He looks real solemn, though. There, I can't go now, Mr. Monks has begun."
Poor May! This was her first school trial. She dearly loved and trusted her schoolmates. What had she done that they should treat her so cruelly!
She tried to check her sobs, and devise some way of reaching home without being seen; but crying had brought on a blinding headache, and she had lost self-control. The room seemed to whirl around, growing darker and darker every minute, until, with a groan, she fell to the floor.
The bell for study to commence was just ringing when, with a shriek, Annie rushed into the school-room exclaiming:
"She's dead! Oh come! Do come!"
Motioning the scholars to retain their seats, the teacher lifted the poor, unconscious girl in his arms, and carried her, looking whiter than a lily, to the window, directing Annie to bring some water in a dipper.
A few drops sprinkled in her face restored consciousness, and she opened her eyes in wonder.
Annie then in a breathless manner, began to relate what had passed.
Mr. Monks grew every moment more stern.