“Everyone feel a little warmer?” he asked.
“My hands are still cold,” said one of the girls, but Janet was too stiff to turn around and see who was speaking.
“Then here’s an arm drill for everyone,” said Jim, starting to swing his arms in cadence.
When that exercise was completed, most of them could feel their bodies aglow as the blood raced through their veins.
Ed started to tell funny stories and though he did his best, their own situation was so tragic that nothing appeared humorous. But he kept them interested, which was the main thing.
Helen was the first to break the now monotonous flow of Ed’s words.
“Stop, Ed,” she said, her voice low and tense. “Shake Miss Bruder, quick!”
Ed turned suddenly to the teacher, who had been sitting back of him. Her head had fallen forward on her chest and her arms hung limp.
The husky senior picked her up and brought her back under the light, the rest crowding around him.
Then Janet took charge. Miss Bruder’s eyes were closed, but she was breathing slowly.