THE CINDERELLA FROCK. 57

seemed to pause to consider her answer in
her own mind fora moment. Finally, how-
ever, she moved quietly out of her place,
went up, and whispered something in the
teacher’s ear.

Here Rovina, who from her nearness might
have caught the words, was observed suddenly
to change countenance, and then put her
hands to her face as though to hide an irre-
pressible burst of tears.

The teacher looked perplexed ; but what-
ever Alice had to impart, she listened with
careful attention.

Alice continued. Now and then they could
catch a word or phrase like,—‘* My father
says—,’’ or, “* would you please to try her,
Miss Wright,”’ or, the teacher—‘*‘ I am afraid
not,’”’—‘* We might try perhaps and the
like, but nothing definite.

Something of intense interest Alice had to