me?” she asked timorously.
“Some people are afraid of them,” said Sara. “I was at first— but I am not now.”
“Was it—a ghost?” quaked Ermengarde.
“No,” said Sara, laughing. “It was my rat.”
Ermengarde made one bound, and landed in the middle of the little dingy bed. She tucked her feet under her nightgown and the red shawl. She did not scream, but she gasped with fright.
“Oh! Oh!” she cried under her breath. “A rat! A rat!”
“I was afraid you would be frightened,” said Sara. “But you needn’t
and making an alarmed bob to Miss Minchin— “for letting me take the liberty.”
Miss Minchin waved her hand again—this time it was in the direction of the corner near the door.
“Go and stand there,” she commanded. “Not too near the young ladies.”
Becky went to her place, grinning. She did not care