So unconscious was she of all around, that the falling back of the other children did not cause her to raise her eyes; neither was she aware of Miss Rutherford's first exclamations, nor yet of the question which was next addressed to her by the horrified schoolmistress.
"How did it happen?
Some of you run at once for a doctor--Dr.Williams in Grove Road--Oh, quick!--Ida Starr, how _did_ it happen ?" Ida did not move, but seemed to tighten her embrace.

The other pupils all looked fearfully hither and thither, but none ventured to speak.
"Ida!" repeated Miss Rutherford, dropping on her knees by the two, and beginning to wipe away some of the blood with her handkerchief.

"Speak, child! Has some one gone for the doctor?
How was it done ?" The face at length turned upon the questioner was almost as ghastly and red-stained as that it had been pressed against.

But it had become self-controlled; the dark eyes looked straight forward with an expression marvellously full of meaning in one so young; the lips did not tremble as they spoke.
"I did it, Miss Rutherford.

I have killed Harriet.