Fulton's house on the East
Battery and see if Miss Sylvia had reached home. Miss Patten did not
feel anxious. She thought it probable that the little northern girl did
not realize the rules of the school, had become tired, and so started
for home.
"Did Miss Sylvia say anything to any of you young ladies about leaving
the grounds?" she questioned the pupils. But they all declared that they
knew nothing of her whereabouts.
"She was on the path behind us when the bell rang," volunteered May
Bailey.
Elinor's face was unusually flushed, and she kept her eyes on her book.
Probably the "little Yankee," as she called Sylvia even in her thoughts,
had run home to tell her mother of the trouble.
By the time Miss Patten's messenger had reached the Fulton house Sylvia
was in the cabin of the little schooner. The girl gave her message to
Mrs. Fulton in so indefinite a manner that at first Sylvia's mother
hardly understood whether Sylvia was in the garden of the school, or had
started for home. Estralla was standing near the steps and began
whimpering: "Oh, Missy Sylvia los'! That w'at she say. She lost!"
"Nonsense, Estralla! Sylvia could not be lost in Miss Patten's garden,"
said Mrs. Fulton; but she decided to return to the school with the maid.
As they went down the street Estralla followed close behind. Her bare
feet made no noise, but now and then she choked back a despairing little
wail. For the little colored girl was sure that some harm had befallen
her new friend.
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