"She was on the path behind us when the bell rang," volunteered May
Bailey.

Elinor's face was unusually flushed, and she kept her eyes on her book.
Probably the "little Yankee," as she called Sylvia even in her thoughts,
had run home to tell her mother of the trouble.

By the time Miss Patten's messenger had reached the Fulton house Sylvia
was in the cabin of the little schooner. The girl gave her message to
Mrs. Fulton in so indefinite a manner that at first Sylvia's mother
hardly understood whether Sylvia was in the garden of the school, or had
started for home. Estralla was standing near the steps and began
whimpering: "Oh, Missy Sylvia los'! That w'at she say. She lost!"

"Nonsense, Estralla! Sylvia could not be lost in Miss Patten's garden,"
said Mrs. Fulton; but she decided to return to the school with the maid.

As they went down the street Estralla followed close behind. Her bare
feet made no noise, but now and then she choked back a despairing little
wail. For the little colored girl was sure that some harm had befallen
her new friend.

When Mrs. Fulton appeared at the school-room door Miss Patten was
greatly alarmed. Elinor Mayhew and May Bailey exchanged a look of
surprised apprehension. They felt sure that Sylvia had hurried home and
told her mother just what had happened. If she had, and Mrs. Fulton had
come to inform Miss Patten, they knew there would be unpleasant things
in store for them.