18 Next Morning
Bill hadn’t wanted to leave Thunder, of course. But Miss Peters spoke¹ to her firmly and gently. “Now, Bill—you must leave matters to us. You know that we shall do our best for the horse, and now that he has had that draught² he will be all right. We’ll walk him as long as necessary. But you and Darrell have done your share and you are tired out. Be sensible, Bill, and do as you are told.”
“Yes, I will,” said Bill, unexpectedly. She took Miss Peters’ hand in hers and held it tightly. “Miss Peters—I can never repay you. Never. But I’ll never forget tonight and all you did.”
Miss Peters patted Bill on the back. “That’s all right. I’m not asking for any repayment³! I’m fond of Thunder, too, and I knew how you felt. I’m not sending him home, Bill. You shall keep him. I don’t somehow think I shall ever have to punish you again by saying you mustn’t see him.”
“You won’t,” said Bill, her face gleaming in the lamplight. “I’ll be your—your very best pupil from now on, Miss Peters!”
“Well—that will be a wonderful repayment,” said Miss Peters, smiling. “Now do go, both of you. You look so pale and tired. You must both have breakfast in bed!”
“Oh no!” protested both girls. “We couldn’t bear it.”
“All right. I can’t bear it either,” said Miss Peters. “You can go to bed early instead! Now, good night—or rather, good morning! It’s nearly three o’clock!”
The two girls stumbled into North Tower, yawning. They hardly said a word to one another, they were so tired. But they were happy, and felt as if they had been friends for years! Bill slid into bed. She whispered to Darrell.
“Darrell! I know you’re Sally’s friend, so you can’t be mine. But I’m yours for ever and ever. Just you remember that! I’ll pay you back some day for all you did tonight.”
“That’s all right,” said Darrell, sleepily, and was asleep almost at once.
In the morning, what a to-do! Darrell and Bill slept so soundly that not even the bell awoke them. When Jean pulled at them they shrugged⁴ away and cuddled down again, hardly waking.

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