And, besides, she is the worst-dressed girl in----" "Hush!" interrupted Jessica Bright, touching a finger to her lips.

"Here she is." A little, brown figure entered the room just as Miriam finished speaking.

But Jessica was too late with her warning.

The young girl had, without doubt, heard the cruel speech and her face flushed painfully as she pinned on a shabby old hat, slipped her arms into a thin black jacket and stepped out again without looking at the crowd of schoolmates who watched her silently.
"Miriam, I should think you'd learn to be more careful," exclaimed hot-tempered Nora, her soft heart touched by the appealing little stranger.
"Well, what difference does it make ?" replied Miriam.

"If Miss Pierson doesn't know already that she's the shabbiest girl in school, it's high time she found it out.