Mrs. Toogood's Warning.

223

ever?' Mrs. Toogood ceased; while most of the girls answered almost mechanically, 'Yes, ma'am ;' but Sarah Hawkhurst whispered to her next door neighbour

'What does she mean? I believe she has found out something about Mother Staples.'

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Isabel Howard throws herself upon Theodora's generosity-Isabel's ideas of 'cleverness' and friendship—She tries to bribe Theodora to silence-Bertha Lloyd is taken with fever-Terror of Miss Terry-She is dismissed home-Mrs. Toogood investigates

matters.

HEODORA was seated alone in the schoolroom that evening after tea. She thought that every one else was in the garden, and she had resolved to spend the remaining hour of daylight at what the girls called her everlasting tatting.' To her surprise, Isabel Howard entered the room. She still looked pale, as she had done since she had heard Elizabeth's news. Theodora imagined she had come in search of something; but Isabel walked from the door to the window, and, after some hesitation, took a seat on the locker by Theodora's side. Presently she began

'Theodora Astley, what am I to do? If I had had the least idea there was scarlet fever in Upton, I would never have dreamt of going there. I wish to goodness I had never gone. I am so awfully afraid of scarlet fever. I know I shall die if I were to get it. What am I to do?

Isabel's Appeal to Theodora.

225

Mrs. Toogood will be in such a dreadful way if she knows that we have been into the town.'

Theodora did not understand what Isabel wished her to do. She was so much surprised at Isabel's remarkable change of manner to herself, that she could hardly notice the mixture of policy and selfishness in her speech; so she left her to speak again, and so explain herself.

'Why is it absolutely necessary for you to tell Mrs. Toogood?' rejoined Isabel. You will get me into an awful mess; for although I said what I did on the Common, I don't know that I can trust the little ones. I never asked you to do anything for me before, Theodora Astley. I wish you would not tell about this, to oblige me.'

Theodora might justly have questioned upon what foundation Isabel could possibly build her right to ask a favour of herself; but as she was not in an ungracious temper, she tried not to feel sarcastic as she answered Isabel

'I have been thinking the subject over, and am afraid I might do more harm than good by telling Mrs. Toogood. What Elizabeth said this evening has made me think so. In any case, I should alarm Mrs. Toogood very much; and I should be sorry to do that, for she has been very kind to me.'

'Has she?' said Isabel in surprise. 'Of course, then, you would not like to frighten her; you are quite right. I am glad you think SO. Then you really won't tell anything about it?'

'No; unless I should be questioned, and that is not likely.'

Р

'But if you were questioned, you might back out of it, couldn't you?-you are clever enough.'

'If you call that cleverness, I daresay I am,' said Theodora ; but the stupidest people can be deceitful. I have said I will say nothing, and I will not, unless I am questioned about it by Mrs. Toogood.'

'You promise?' said Isabel.

Theodora was getting annoyed at her requiring so many 'What is the use of going on in this way?'

assurances.

said she.

If I can't keep my word when I have simply said it, should I care any more for promising half a dozen times over?'

Isabel looked dissatisfied; she was so habitually untruthful herself, that she could not believe in the truth of another.

'I will tell you what,' said she, presently. If you will stick to me in this matter, Theodora Astley, I will not set the girls against you any more. I will be your friend.'

'I don't think you understand the meaning of the word "friend," Isabel Howard,' said Theodora.

A few minutes later Isabel was talking earnestly with Sarah Hawkhurst.

'I can't make her out,' said she. I don't know whether she means to blab or no.'

Why, what an idiot you were,' said Sarah, 'to say anything to her about it at all! As if we were not a match for the saint, whether she tells or no. I don't believe she will tell, because she went herself also, not because of her fear of alarming Mrs. Toogood. That's a good excuse,

Mrs. Toogood consults Miss Terry. 227

I must say; but if it should leak out, we can but be beforehand with her.'

It did leak out, in this way-that little Bertha Lloyd, just one fortnight after the walk to Upton, showed symptoms of being ill. A doctor was sent for, who immediately declared the child to be sickening for scarlatina, and inquired how she had come in contact with it. Bertha answered that she did not know; for she was too much afraid of Isabel Howard to tell the truth.

Mrs. Toogood adjourned to her sitting-room, and sent for Miss Terry.

After informing her of the uncomfortable fact, and giving directions for protecting the rest of the scholars, most of whom were to be despatched to their respective homes on the following day, Mrs. Toogood started the question as to how the fever could have been brought into the house.

'It shows the apparent uselessness of precautions,' said she; for I am sure in this case every possible care has been taken. Scarcely any communication has been carried on between the town and the house, and the young ladies have been kept to the grounds. I believe Elizabeth has not ventured to disobey my orders, and go to Upton.'

'Hardly, m'm, I should imagine,' answered Miss Terry, 'so venturesome-ungrateful, I am sure, to so exemplary a mistress.'

'I do not know what else I could have done that I have not done,' observed Mrs. Toogood meditatively.

'Everything, I am sure. Most 'thoughtful; usual dis