She could not see her Greek Tragedy without a smile, indeed, she went so far as sometimes to think that its reception in the old kitchen of the farmhouse had given her a greater avidity for its study.
On the whole, this winter visit was by no means a lost one; and when Saturday brought more of the scholars back, and the term began, she was fully ready for it.
On Sunday morning Nellie, feeling lonely and sick, had come to Marion’s room. Marion made a nice bed for her on her sofa, and sat by her side bathing her hot, aching head, now and then reading to her.
Toward night she complained of her throat; fearing Miss Ashton would send her to the nurse if she were told of it, she would not let Marion go to her, but begged to stay where she was so piteously that Marion gladly consented, asking leave of the teacher, but not mentioning Nellie’s sickness.
The consequence was, that the disease progressed rapidly, and when morning came she was too sick even to object to the nurse, who, surprised and bewildered, sent for Miss Ashton at once.
Dr. Dawson, the physician of twenty years’ academical sickness, being summoned, pronounced it a case of diphtheria, and ordered Nellie’s removal to the rooms used as a hospital, and Marion’s separation from the rest of the school, as she had been exposed to the same disease.