But a
bad case of it, I assure you. I'll leave more of the cooling draught; and
I'll send up a salve to put on her face and hands. Don't let it get into
the poor child's eyes--and don't let her tear off the mask which she will
have to wear."
"Then there is no danger of scarlet fever," whispered Ruth, feeling
relieved.
CHAPTER XXIII
PUTTING ONE'S BEST FOOT FORWARD
Amy Gregg's escapade created a lot of excitement at Briarwood Hall.
Inasmuch as it affected Ruth, the whole school was in a flutter about it.
Helen and Ann had come to the Hall, late for breakfast, and spread the
news in the dining hall. They were both sure, by Ruth's actions and the
doctor's first noncommittal report, that Amy had some contagious disease.
Curly had made a deal of the sore throat Amy had confessed to.
"And if that's so," Helen said, almost in tears, "poor Ruth will be
quarantined for weeks."
"Why, Helen, how will she graduate?" gasped Lluella.
"She won't! She can't!" declared Ruth's chum. "It will be dreadful!"
"I say!" cried Jennie, thoroughly alarmed. "We musn't let her stay there
and nurse that young one. Why! what ever would we do if Ruthie Fielding
didn't graduate?"
"The class would be without a head," declared Mercy.
"It would be without a heart, at least--and a great, big one overflowing
with love and tenderness," cried Nettie Parsons, wiping her eyes.
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