"Time to come inside everyone!"
All the students go inside, but Mary does not see Laura anywhere.
"Mary, where is Laura?"
"She went to the outhouse Mrs. Beatle. She said she should go use it before we came back inside to continue our history lesson, but that was seven minutes ago, so she should be back by now. In fact, she should have been back a couple minutes ago. And I do not see her anywhere."
"Willie, will you go make sure Laura is ok?"
"Yes Mrs. Beatle."
"Willie, if she's there come back and tell me. If she says she's sick, go get Doctor Baker and then go tell her Pa at the mill and then come back. If she is not there, go straight to the mill and tell her Pa."
"Yes Mrs. Beatle."
"Mrs. Beatle, why does Willie get to do it? He's a boy."
"Nellie, it is because he is a fast runner like Laura. Should she be sick or missing, he could get help faster."
"But some of us girls are fast runners to Mrs. Beatle."
"That might be true Nellie, but he and Laura are the two fastest runners in this class.
"Ok. I suppose there is nothing wrong with having Willie go look for Laura and making sure that she is alright."
"I'm glad you now understand why I picked Willie Nellie.
"Yes Mrs. Beatle."
"Mrs. Beatle, I hope Laura is ok."
"I'm sure she is Mary. If anything, she is probably sick from the heat. It is so hot and humid today."
"Hopefully that is what it is at worst."
"I'm sure of it Mary. Willie will let us know."
"I'm glad he is a fast runner. Hopefully he gets back quickly with some good news."
I hope so too, Mary. We all do."
"Thank you Mrs. Beatle."
"You're welcome Mary."