The walls were stained with grease and patches of dirt, added, slowly through the years as a face gathers wrinkles.

The mottoes and almanacs alone differed.

She looked round, wondering what errand had taken Miss Perkins out at that time of night.
She was perplexed to see a sheet of paper with writing on it pinned to the table.

Miss Perkins knew she was no scholar.

Why had she gone out and left a note on the table?
The pain eased in her heart, and strength came back slowly to her limbs as the suffocation in her throat lessened.