"If
you have waited to dress here, we must hurry."
"I have nothing to put on," said Elnora.
In bewilderment the Bird Woman drew her inside.
"Did--did--" she faltered. "Did you think you would wear that?"
"No. I thought I would telephone Ellen that there had been an accident
and I could not come. I don't know yet how to explain. I'm too sick to
think. Oh, do you suppose I can get something made by Tuesday, so that I
can graduate?"
"Yes; and you'll get something on you to-night, so that you can lead
your class, as you have done for four years. Go to my room and take off
that gingham, quickly. Anna, drop everything, and come help me."
The Bird Woman ran to the telephone and called Ellen Brownlee.
"Elnora has had an accident. She will be a little late," she said.
"You have got to make them wait. Have them play extra music before the
march."
Then she turned to the maid. "Tell Benson to have the carriage at the
gate, just as soon as he can get it there. Then come to my room. Bring
the thread box from the sewing-room, that roll of wide white ribbon on
the cutting table, and gather all the white pins from every dresser in
the house. But first come with me a minute."
"I want that trunk with the Swamp Angel's stuff in it, from the cedar
closet," she panted as they reached the top of the stairs.
They hurried down the hall together and dragged the big trunk to the
Bird Woman's room. She opened it and began tossing out white stuff.
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