The frosty air brought a slight color to the girl's cheeks, but she still looked wretched.

Harry, who himself looked more than usually worn and old, kept glancing at her, as they hastened along.
"See here, darling," he said, "hadn't you better not go to school to-day?
I will write a note of explanation myself to the principal, at the office, and mail it in New York.

Hadn't you better turn around and go home and rest to-day ?" "Oh no," replied Maria.

"I would much rather go, papa." "You look as if you could hardly stand up, much less go to school." "I am all right," said Maria; but as she spoke she realized that her knees fairly bent under her, and her heart beat loudly in her ears, for they had come in sight of the station.
"You are sure ?" Harry said, anxiously.
"Yes, I am all right.

I want to go to school." "Well, look out that you eat a good luncheon," said Harry, as he kissed her good-bye.
Maria had to go to the other side to take her Wardway train.