a few plaudits for her
quickness and powers of observation. How much better could she work when
she had really fallen into the tone of the school, and understood the
lessons which she was now so carefully preparing! During her busy day she
had failed to notice one thing: namely, the absence of Annie Forest.
Annie had not been in the school-room, had not been in the play-room; but
now, as the clock struck eight, she entered the school-room with a
listless expression, and took her place in the same class with Hester.
Her eyes were heavy, as if she had been crying, and when a companion
touched her, and gave her a sympathizing glance, she shook her head with
a sorrowful gesture, but did not speak. Glasses of milk and slices of
bread and butter were now handed round to the girls, and Miss Danesbury
asked if any one would like to see Mrs. Willis before prayers. Hester
half sprang to her feet, but then sat down again. Mrs. Willis had annoyed
her by refusing to break her rules and answer her question during lesson
hours. No, the silly child resolved that she would not trouble Mrs.
Willis now.

"No one to-night, then?" said Miss Danesbury, who had noticed Hester's
movement.

Suddenly Annie Forest sprang to her feet.

"I'm going, Miss Danesbury," she said. "You need not show me the way; I
can find it alone."

With her short, curly hair falling about her face, she ran out of the
room.

CHAPTER VIII.

"YOU HAVE WAKED ME TOO SOON."

When Hester reached her bedroom after prayers on that second evening, she
was dismayed to find that she no longer could consider the pretty little
bedroom her own. It had not only an occupant, but an occupant who had
left untidy traces of her presence on the floor, for a stocking lay in
one direction and a muddy boot sprawled in another. The newcomer had
herself got into bed, where she lay with a quantity of red hair tossed
about on the pillow, and a heavy freckled face turned upward, with the
eyes shut and the mouth slightly open.

As Hester entered the room, from these parted lips came unmistakable and
loud snores. She stood still dismayed.

"How terrible!" she said to herself; "oh, what a girl! I cannot sleep in
the room with any one who snores--I really cannot!"

She stood perfectly still, with her hands clasped before her, and her
eyes fixed with almost ludicrous dismay on this unexpected trial. As she
gazed, a fresh discovery caused her to utter an exclamation of horror
aloud.