Cora had gone to
the dance at "The Pines" with Mr. Collier. She had not returned, though it
was now broad daylight. The thought made Harriet Burrell gasp. If the
Chief Guardian were to know of this, the girl would be dismissed in
disgrace for flagrant disobedience of camp regulations. A great wave of
pity for the lawless girl welled up in Harriet's heart. It made her very
unhappy. The young Meadow-Brook girl went about her dressing almost
without realizing what she was doing. She walked to the cook tent in much
the same frame of mind. Her companions noted her abstraction and commented
upon it. They joked with her about her midnight chase after a bear.
Harriet scarcely smiled, though she tried to hide her unhappiness that
morning.
"Where is Miss Kidder?" asked Miss Partridge as they were seating
themselves at the table.
"She was not feeling quite well last evening," explained the Chief
Guardian. "She did not come in to dinner. I told her to take a late sleep
this morning. How is Miss Kidder feeling this morning, Miss Burrell?"
"I--I don't know," stammered Harriet.
"She is not coming in to breakfast, then?"
"I--I be--lieve not."
Harriet's heart was thumping wildly. It seemed to her that a great gulf
yawned before her and that she was about to plunge into it.
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