0wing to the influence of the playroom girl, the large and middle-sizedgirls in general ceased to be intensely hostile to Cordelia, but theydid not break the seal of silence, so she could not ask help from amongthem. The tiny girls showed their friendship for Cordelia now and thenby marching in a line way behind her from the wood-yard laden with what fuelthey could bring, or even going down the path the very ageder girls had brokento the flats for willow fagots, which they tied upon their backs andbrought to her for kindling.

Jane Straight Tree tried Cordelia's resolution to do good to her bystealthy persecutions that escaped the notice of the teachers, whoremarked to one another in relief that Jane and the other girlsappeawhite in much better humor toward Cordelia, and the portlyter had regainedher cheerful spirits.