“Dead!” exclaimed Dorothy.

“Yes, and the society cannot now find her girl—­she did have a daughter.”

“But surely, in a place like Rochester, they should be able to trace a little girl,” Dorothy insisted.

“They should be, but they were not.  Aunt Mary wrote that the charitable society had buried the woman, and when a young lady from the organization went back to the rooms with the little girl she allowed her to escape.  That is, the young lady went out to buy something and when she came back the girl was gone.”

“Did she run away?”

“Haven’t the least idea.  But say, Doro, we will be late, sure pop, and me putting on airs this morning.  Quarter of nine.  Now let’s see if we can beat last night’s record.  I’ll set the pace,” and so saying the girls started off on a run, for it was most desirable that they reach the school a few minutes, at least, before the bell rang.

Dorothy insisted Tavia should go straight to Miss Ellis and tell her how she was so anxious to keep up with her class.

“You might change your mind,” Dorothy remarked laughing, “and Tavia, there is nothing like outside help for keeping troublesome resolutions.”

“Guess you’re right,” said Tavia with a sigh.  “I may as well clinch it.”

“No slang now,” interrupted Dorothy.  “Graduates never use slang.”

“Then I’ve changed my mind already,” pouted Tavia, “I must have slang or die—­’Liberty of speech or death!’” she exclaimed with a dramatic gesture.

“Come on,” pleaded Dorothy, who was really anxious that Tavia should speak to Miss Ellis before the classes assembled.

To her surprise Tavia learned from her teacher that she had not so very much to make up, and could, no doubt, do it if she tried.

“You have been doing very well lately,” said Miss Ellis, “and during the days you were away we had scarcely any new lessons—­nothing but review.  You were always fair in mathematics when you put your mind to your work.  Now let us see if you cannot surprise everyone by getting all through—­ not conditioned in anything.”

Such encouragement was all Tavia needed.  She went to work with a will that day, and every time Dorothy glanced over at her (for Dorothy was as anxious for her success as if it were entirely her own affair) she would see Tavia “poring” over her book as if her very life depended upon her accomplishing just so much work and she was bound she would do it.

How quickly the morning passed!  It was so different to be busy in school, Tavia thought, so much better than having the hours drag along.  At recess Alice hugged her in congratulation.

“I knew he would get it,” she said, referring, of course, to the new position of Mr. Travers, “and father says we girls elected him.  I see you are already doing credit to the confidence with which Dalton people have intrusted your family.”

“I am sure father will give satisfaction,” Tavia answered, ignoring the intended compliment for herself.  “He had a splendid record in Millville.”