The doctor said Maria was running down, which seemed to her a very interesting state of things, and one which ought to impress people.

She told Gladys Mann the next day at school.
"The doctor says I'm running down," said she.
"You do look awful bad," replied Gladys.
After recess Maria saw Gladys with her face down on her desk, weeping.

She knew that she was weeping because she looked so badly and was running down.

She glanced across at Wollaston Lee, and wondered if he had noticed how badly she looked, and yet how charming.

All at once the boy shot a glance at her in return; then he blushed and scowled and took up his book.