`` She seems to be staying in town over the holidays too . Wonder why . Perhaps she does n't belong anywhere . She really is a most forlorn-appearing little mortal . '' There were two Ida Mitchells attending the Clifton Academy . The other Ida was a plain , quiet , pale-faced little girl of fifteen who was in the second year . Beyond that , none of the third-year Ida Mitchell 's set knew anything about her , or tried to find out . `` She must be very poor , '' said Ida carelessly . `` She dresses so shabbily , and she always looks so pinched and subdued . She boards in a little house out on Marlboro Road , and I pity her if she has to spend her holidays there , for a more dismal place I never saw . I was there once on the trail of a book I had lost . Going , girls ? Well , do n't forget tomorrow night . '' Ida spent the next day decorating her room and watching for the arrival of her cake . It had n't come by tea-time , and she concluded to go down to the express office and investigate . It would be dreadful if that cake did n't turn up in time , with all the girls and Miss Monroe coming in . Ida felt that she would be mortified to death . Inquiry at the express office discovered two things . A box had come in for Miss Ida Mitchell , Clifton ; and said box had been delivered to Miss Ida Mitchell , Clifton . `` One of our clerks said he knew you personally -- boarded next door to you -- and he 'd take it round himself , '' the manager informed her .
`` There must be some mistake , '' XXXXX Ida in perplexity .
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