a ring after that fashion. You may take it off."

Comfort took it off. The eyes of the whole school watched her; even
the reading-class looked over its shoulders.

"Now," said Miss Tabitha, "put it in your pocket."

Comfort put the ring in her pocket. Her face was flushing redder and
redder, and the tears rolled down her cheeks.

Miss Tabitha drew out a large pin, which was quilted into the bosom
of her dress, and proceeded to pin up Comfort's pocket. "There," said
she, "now you leave that ring in there, and don't you touch it till
you go home; then you give it right to your mother. And don't you
take that pin out; if you do I shall whip you."

Miss Tabitha turned suddenly on the reading-class, and the faces went
about with a jerk. "Turn to the fifty-sixth page," she commanded; and
the books all rustled open as she went to the front. Matilda gave
Comfort a sympathizing poke and Miss Tabitha an indignant scowl under
cover of the reading-class, but Comfort sat still, with the tears
dropping down on her spelling-book. She had never felt so guilty or
so humble in her life. She made up her mind she would tell her mother
about it, and put the ring back in the box that night, and never take
it out again until her finger grew to it; and if it never did she
would try to be resigned.

When it was time for recess Miss Tabitha sent them all out of doors.
"I know it's cold," said she, "but a little fresh air won't hurt any
of you. You can run around and keep warm."

Poor Comfort dreaded to go out. She knew just how the boys and girls
would tease her. But Matilda Stebbins stood by her, and the two
hurried out before the others and ran together down the road.

"We've got time to run down to the old Loomis place and back before
the bell rings," said Matilda. "If you stay here they'll all tease
you dreadfully to show that ring, and if you do she'll whip you. She
always does what she says she will."

The two girls got back to the school-house just as the bell rang,
and, beyond sundry elbow-nudges and teasing whispers as they went in,
Comfort had no trouble. She took her seat and meekly opened her
geography.

Once in a while she wondered, with a qualm of anxiety, if her ring
was safe. She dared not even feel of her pocket under her dress.
Whenever she thought of it Miss Tabitha seemed to be looking straight
at her. Poor Comfort had a feeling that Miss Tabitha could see her
very thoughts.

The Stebbinses and Sarah Allen usual