CHAPTER XV.
MARION'S PLAN.
ISS WILBUR! Miss Wilbur! can't we go in Miss Lily's class to-day, our teacher isn't here?"
"Miss Wilbur, they are crowding us off the seat; there isn't room for no more in this class."
"Miss Wilbur, sister Nellie can't come to-day; she has the toothache. Can I go in Kitty's class?"
Every one of these little voices spoke at once; two of the owners thereof twitched at her dress, and another of them nudged her elbow. In the midst of this little babel of confusion the door opened softly, and Dr. Dennis came in. Marion turned toward him and laughed—a perplexed laugh that might mean something besides amusement.
"What is it?" he asked, answering the look instead of the laugh.
"It is everything," she said, quickly. "You mustn't stay a minute, Dr. Dennis; we are not in company trim to-day at all. Unless you will do the work, we can't have you."
"I came to hear, not to work," he said, smiling, and at the same time looking troubled.