When she started up the room toward Mrs. Tellingham’s table Ruth walked steadily enough.  Some of the girls looked after her in surprise; but it was not an uncommon thing for a girl to leave her seat and approach the preceptress.

Mrs. Tellingham looked up with a smile when she saw Ruth coming.  She always had a smile for the girl of the Red Mill.

The preceptress, however, was a sharp reader of faces.  Her own expression of countenance did not change, for other girls were looking; but she saw that something serious had occurred.

“What is it, Ruth?” she asked, the instant her low whisper could reach Ruth’s ear.

The girl, looking straight at her, made the letters “F-I-R-E” with her lips.  But she uttered no sound.  Mrs. Tellingham understood, however, and demanded: 

“Where?”

“West Dormitory, Mrs. Tellingham,” said Ruth, coming closer.

“Are you positive?”

“I can see it from my seat.  On the second floor.  In one of the duo rooms at this side.”

Ruth spoke these sentences in staccato; but her voice was low and she preserved an air of calmness.

“Good girl!” murmured Mrs. Tellingham.  “Go out quietly and then run and tell Tony.  Do you know where he is?”

“Lighting the lamps,” whispered Ruth.

“Good.  Tell him to go right up there and see what can be done.  Warn Miss Scrimp.  I will telephone to town, and Miss Brokaw will take charge and march the pupils to the big hall to call the roll.  I hope nobody is in the dormitories.”

Mrs. Tellingham had pushed back her chair and dropped her napkin; but her movements, though swift, were not alarming.  She passed out by a rear door which led to the kitchens, while Ruth walked composedly down the room to the main exit.

“Hey! what’s the matter, Ruthie?” called Heavy, in a low tone.  “Whose old cat’s in the well?”

Ruth appeared not to hear her.  Miss Brokaw, a very capable woman, came into the dining hall as Ruth passed out.  Miss Brokaw stepped to the monitor’s desk at one side and tapped on the bell.

“Oh, mercy!” gasped Heavy, the incorrigible.  “She’s shut us off again.  And I haven’t had half enough to eat.”

“Rise!” said Miss Brokaw, after a moment of waiting.  “Immediately, girls.  Miss Stone, you will come, too.”

A murmur of laughter rose at Jennie Stone’s evident intention to linger; but Heavy always took admonition in good part, and she arose smiling.

“Monitors to their places,” commanded Miss Brokaw.  “You will march to the big hall.  It is Mrs. Tellingham’s request.  She will have something of importance to say to you.”

The big hall was on the other side of the building, and from its windows nothing could be seen of either dormitory.

Meanwhile, Ruth, once alone in the hall, had bounded to the chief entrance of the building and opened one leaf of the heavy door.  It was a crisp night and the frost bit keenly.  The wind fluttered her skirt about her legs.