The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-10-10

anu cat III HOW, before the SCHOOL.
she said; land I shall expect you
besides to stay in at recess for a
week."
The others took their pickles and
began eating them. Ann Sophia
shrank back
"Eat your pickle, Ann Sophia"
said Miss Larkin, sharply. She was
more disappointed at Ann Sophia
than all the others, and the very bit
terness of her disappointment made
her unrelenting.
Ann Sophia looked at the fat, wet
green thing, and her face grew
white.
Il can't, Miss Larkin-I can't eat
them" she gasped.
81 think if you could this morning,
you can now," said Miss Larkin, pitt
lessly. II see there are several bites
gone"
Ann Sophia hesitated, but she
could not betray Rose. She took the
pickle in the tips of her fingers and
shut her eyes desperately. She
would try to eat it, but she couldn't
look at it. Suddenly there was stir
at the end of the room, and Rose
Rowland stood up. Her cheeks were
scarlet, but her brown eyes n. ct the
teachers resolutely.
"Miss Larkin," she said, that
wasn't Ann Sophia's pickle. was
eating it when you called me, and l
dropped it on her desk.
Miss Larkin looked at Rose a
minute and then stepped over to
Ann Sophia. She took the pickle
from her and threw it out of the win
dow.
THAT will do, Ann Sophia" she
said, gently. "You may take your
seat now"
That noon Ann Sophia was lying
on the moss under her little pine tree.
Her lunch was untouched beside her
she felt too miserable to eat. The
tree above her stirred, and she looked
up indifferently and saw Roses pink
face thrust between the branches.
81 thought I'd find you hear" she
said, embarrassedly. 81 wanted to
tell you that you were real good this
morning not to tell of me. I didn't
know when Miss Larkin got the pick
les-I was down front, teaching. And
l didn't remember at first that had
had one-I truly didn't until 1 saw
your face"
Ann Sophia sat up, faint color
glowing in her pale cheeks.
"Oh, that's all right" she said.
"Have you eaten your lunch9"
asked Rose.
III didn't seem to want any"
"Well, you've got to have part of
NINE"
ooh no." said Ann Sophia. shyly.
eyes, you have. If you don't I'll
think you haven't forgiven me about
the pickle. This is some of my Sis
ter's cake-she makes the best cake
in the village"
Ann Sophia took the cake and
nibbled it blissfully, but it would
have tasted the same to her had it
been ashes. Rose gave it to her
she knew nothing but that. Rose
looked at her refectively.
81 used to think you were awfully
stuck up" she said. "You were SO
prim about keeping the rules and all,
and wouldn't go with u.s."
81 didn't think you wanted me-"
said Ann Sophia, with little culver
in her voice. II don't go where I'm
not wanted" she added, proudly.
mo, l don't believe you do. But
what made you stick with Susan
Mowbray sos"
"Oh," said Ann Sophia, her voice
heavy with trouble; ''she makes me!
l can't get away"
"You poor little thing!" said Rose.
us that it, Well, you shan't be tor
mented any more. Come and play
Here we all stand in ring You
shall be in the center first"
But Ann Sophia hung back. 81
don't believe they want me-" she
said.
Eyes, they do" said Rose, posi-
lively. "They always want what l
do. Besides, they didn't know how
nice you were until today. Do
come"
Ann Sophia followed Rose shyly
across the green. The others looked
little hesitatingly at her as she
came; they wanted to make up but
didn't know what to say. 1t was a
relief to form ring and begin sing
ing. AS the gay voices rose around
her, Ann Sophia's face frightened;
but in all the merry flying circle, she
cau hut ono fOura and mban +hou