The captains selected their forces, choosing alternately
from the anxious crowd of grown folks. There were no children there, for
it was understood that big words would be given out--words children
could not pronounce, much less spell.
The teacher was amazingly pretty on this eventful night. She was dressed
as no other woman in Bramble County, except Rosalie Gray, could have
attired herself--simply, tastefully, daintily. Her face was flushed and
eager and the joy of living glowed in every feature. Ed Higgins and
'Rast Little were struck senseless, nerveless by this vision of health
and loveliness. Anderson Crow stealthily admitted to himself that she
was a stranger in a strange land; she was not of Tinkletown or any place
like it.
Just as the captains were completing their selections of spellers the
door opened and three strangers entered the school-room, overcoated and
furred to the tips of their noses--two men and a woman. As Miss Banks
rushed forward to greet them--she had evidently been expecting them--the
startled assemblage caught its breath and stared. To the further
amazement of every one, Rosalie hastened to her side and joined in the
effusive welcome. Every word of joyous greeting was heard by the amazed
listeners and every word from the strangers was as distinct. Surely
the newcomers were friends of long standing.
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