med to have used most of her books, and at last picked
up an old geography and began giving out points around the coast, while
Laddie and the Princess took turns snatching the words from her mouth
and spelling them. Father often did that, so Laddie was safe there.
They were just going it when Miss Amelia pronounced, "Terra del Fuego,"
to the Princess. "T-e-r-r-a, Terra, d-e-l, del, F-i-e-u-g-o," spelled
the Princess, and sat down suddenly in the midst of a mighty groan from
her side, swelled by a wail from one little home district deserter.

"Next!" called Miss Amelia.

"T-e-r-r-a, Terra, d-e-l, del, F-e-u-g-o," spelled Laddie.

"Wrong!" wailed Miss Amelia, and our side breathed one big groan in
concert, and I lifted up my voice in that also. Then every one laughed
and pretended they didn't care, and the Princess came over and shook
hands with Laddie, and Laddie said to Miss Amelia:

"Just let me take that book a minute until I see how the thing really
does go." It was well done and satisfied the crowd, which clapped and
cheered; but as I had heard him spell it many, many times for father,
he didn't fool me.

Laddie and the Princess drew slips for the book and it fell to her. He
was so pleased he kissed me as he lifted me down and never noticed I
was so stiff I could scarcely stand--and I did fall twice going to the
sleigh. My bed was warm and my room was warm, but I chilled the night
through and until the next afternoon, when I grew so faint and sleepy I
crept to Miss Amelia's desk, half dead with fright--it was my first
trip to ask an excuse--and begged: "Oh teacher, I'm so sick. Please
let me go home."

I think one glance must have satisfied her that it was true, for she
said very kindly that I might, and she would send Leon along to take
care of me. But my troubles were only half over when I had her
consent. It was very probable I would be called a baby and sent back
when I reached home, so I refused company and started alone. It seemed
a mile past the cemetery. I was so tired I stopped, and leaning
against the fence, peeped through at the white stones and the whiter
mounds they covered, and wondered how my mother would feel if she were
compelled to lay me beside the two little whooping cough and fever
sisters already sleeping there. I decided that it would be so very
dreadful, that the tears began to roll down my cheeks and freeze before
they fell.

Down the Big Hill slowly I went. How bare it