"Very well, I'll turn her over to the primary." The school-bell
sounded; Hale left with a parting prophecy--"You'll be proud of
her some day"--at which June blushed and then, with a beating
heart, she followed the little man into his office. A few minutes
later, the assistant came in, and she was none other than the
wonderful young woman whom Hale had called Miss Anne. There were a
few instructions in a halting voice and with much clearing of the
throat from the pale little man; and a moment later June walked
the gauntlet of the eyes of her schoolmates, every one of whom
looked up from his book or hers to watch her as she went to her
seat. Miss Anne pointed out the arithmetic lesson and, without
lifting her eyes, June bent with a flushed face to her task. It
reddened with shame when she was called to the class, for she sat
on the bench, taller by a head and more than any of the boys and
girls thereon, except one awkward youth who caught her eye and
grinned with unashamed companionship. The teacher noticed her look
and understood with a sudden keen sympathy, and naturally she was
struck by the fact that the new pupil was the only one who never
missed an answer.

"She won't be there long," Miss Anne thought, and she gave June a
smile for which the little girl was almost grateful. June spoke to
no one, but walked through her schoolmates homeward, when school
was over, like a haughty young queen. Miss Anne had gone ahead and
was standing at the gate talking with Mrs. Crane, and the young
woman spoke to June most kindly.

"Mr. Hale has been called away on business," she said, and June's
heart sank--"and I'm going to take care of you until he comes
back."