And, at last, little Bessie lifted it to wear upon her neck, and it
broke and fell in pieces on the floor.
Then there was a look of gentle dismay in the blue eyes, a tear or two,
and Bessie folded her arms on the desk, her head sank slowly down on
them, and she fell asleep.
She was still sleeping when I dismissed the school. The sound of the
others going out did not wake her; the Phenomenon, disappearing through
the door, pointed a finger at her, his face full of scornful
merriment--so incredible was it to him that any one should sleep when
school was out.
I went down to Bessie and woke her gently. She looked at me, at first,
with startled, feverish eyes, as though she did not know me, and screamed
in pain or terror. I noticed then that the color of her cheeks was
unnaturally bright. I put my hand on her pulse. It was throbbing
violently. I was thoroughly frightened.
"Come, Bess," I said, as winningly and soothingly as I could; "come home
with teacher, now. Teacher will lead you, all the way."
For answer, the child's head fell heavily on one side. I tried to take
her in my arms, but she was very heavy. I found one of the small boys
lingering outside the school-house and sent him for Bessie's father.
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