Shelley did go, but I noticed she didn't hurry.
The choosers began at once, and Laddie was the first person called for our side, and the Princess for the visitors'.

Every one in the room was chosen on one side or the other; even my name was called, but I only sat still and shook my head, for I very well knew that no one except father would remember to pronounce easy ones for me, and besides I was so bitterly disappointed I could scarcely have stood up.

They had put me in a seat near the fire; the spellers lined either wall, and a goodly number that refused to spell occupied the middle seats.

I couldn't get a glimpse of Laddie or the home folks, or worst of all, of my idolized Princess.
I never could bear to find a fault with Laddie, but I sadly reflected that he might as well have left me at home, if I were to be buried where I could neither hear nor see a thing.

I was just wishing it was summer so I could steal out to the cemetery, and have a good visit with the butterflies that always swarmed around Georgiana Jane Titcomb's grave at the corner of the church.