Summary

Sara, who had been at the school for two years already, caught a glimpse of a poor servant girl one winter day. She saw the girl again late that evening when she sat telling a story about mermaids to fellow students. The servant girl was quietly adding coal to the fire and was trying to listen to Sara's story. Sara noticed and talked louder so she could hear. Lavinia shouted that the servant girl was listening, so she got up and scurried out of the room. Sara said she knew she was listening and asked why she should not. Lavinia said that her mother would not want her telling stories to a servant and Sara said her mother would want her to tell stories to everybody. Lavinia asked Sara how she knew what her mother would want since she was dead. Lottie piped...