"Do behave, Nan," begged Bess. "We're on the public street."

"How awful!" proclaimed Nan Sherwood, making big eyes at her
chum. "Why folks know we're only high-school girls. so, of
course, we're crazy! Otherwise we wouldn't BE high-school
girls."

"Nonsense!" cried Bess, interrupting. Do be reasonable, Nan.
And look yonder! What do you suppose that crowd is at the big
gate of the Atwater Mills?"

Nan Sherwood's merry face instantly clouded. She was not at all
a thoughtless girl, although she was of a sanguine, cheerful
temperament.

The startled change in her face amazed Bess.

"Oh dear!" the latter cried. "What is it? Surely, there's nobody
hurt in the mills? Your father-----"

"I'm afraid, Bess dear, that it means there are a great many hurt
in the mills."

"Oh, Nan! How horridly you talk," cried Bess. "That is
impossible."

"Not hurt in the machinery, not mangled by the looms," Nan went
on to say, gravely. "But dreadfully hurt nevertheless, Bess.
Father has been expecting it, I believe. Let's go and read the