But for the non-arrival of the letter she was so anxious to get Eloise would have been comparatively happy, or at least content.  Her ankle was gaining rapidly, and she hoped soon to take her place in school, Tim having offered to wheel her there every day and back, and assuring her that, mean as he was, Tom Walker was not mean enough to annoy her in her helpless condition.  For some reason Eloise had not now much dread of Tom Walker, and expressed a desire to see him.

“Tell him to call,” she said to Tim, who delivered her message rather awkwardly, as if expecting a rebuff.

“Oh, get out,” was Tom’s reply, “I ain’t one of your callin’ kind, with cards and things, and she’ll see enough of me bimeby.”

The words sounded more ungracious than Tom intended.  He said he was not the calling kind, but the fact that he had been asked to do so pleased him, and two or three times he walked past Mrs. Biggs’s in hopes to see the little lady in whom he was beginning to feel a good deal of interest.  He met Jack occasionally, and always received a bow of recognition and a cheery “How are you, Tom?” until he began to believe himself something more than a loafer and a bully whom every hand was against.  He was rather anxious for the little Normal to begin her duties, and she was anxious, too, for funds were low and growing less all the time.

“Wait till the Rummage is over.  That is coming next week.  You will want to go to that and see the people you have not seen, and your scholars, too.  They are sure to be there,” Ruby Ann said to her.

Ruby Ann was greatly interested in the Rummage Sale, as she was in anything with which she had to do, and all her spare time from her school duties was given to soliciting articles for it, and arranging for their disposition in the building where the sale was to be held.  Eloise was interested because those around her were, and she offered her white apron a second time as the only thing she had to give.

“I guess I’ll do it up and flute the ruffles,” Mrs. Biggs said. “’Tain’t mussy, but a little rinse and starch won’t harm it.”

She had given it a rinse and starch, and was ironing it when Jack came in, rather unceremoniously, as was his habit now that he came so often.  This time he went to the kitchen door, as the other was locked, and found Mrs. Biggs giving the final touches to the apron, which she held up for his inspection.

“Rummage,” she said.  “Miss Smith’s contribution.  Ain’t it a beauty?”

Jack was not much of a judge of aprons, but something in this dainty little affair interested him, and he wished at once that he knew of some one for whom he could buy it.  His sister Bell never wore aprons to his knowledge, neither did Mrs. Amy.  It was too small for Ruby Ann, and it would never do to give it back to Eloise.  But he did not want any money but his own spent for it, and he believed he’d speak to Ruby Ann and have it put aside for him.  He could tell her he had a sister, and she could draw her own inference.