But she had promised Sarah; moreover it was due the entire class that
the occurrence should be disposed of honorably.

Tavia was waiting anxiously. Alice also fidgeted at her books. Finally
Dorothy raised her hand. The motion was not seen at once by Miss Ellis,
but it is safe to say no other person in the room missed it.

A stir of excitement caused the teacher to look up and she bowed to
Dorothy.

"I am sorry, Miss Ellis," began Dorothy with hesitation, "to refer to
anything unpleasant today, but I have promised Sarah Ford to make an
explanation for her--she of course could not come herself."

"What is it Dorothy?" asked the teacher, although she no doubt guessed
what the girl wished to say.

"I just want to state that Sarah did not intend to blame anyone for her
accident--she had only cried that it was our fault when she was
suffering so, and did not mean that those about her should have taken it
up as they did. She wished me to apologize for her, and to say that the
whole thing was an accident, the reports as well as the injury."

"Thank you," said Miss Ellis as Dorothy sat down. "I am very glad indeed
that the unpleasant happening has been disposed of."

Alice was on her feet next.

"I also want to apologize, Miss Ellis," she broke out in her "boyish
tones," adding: "I should not have spoken as I did, when you asked me to