You are certain to be asked."
"But I don't know her. How can I take her part?"
"You can say--oh, the kindest things. You can explain that she has
always been bright and gay and loving and kind."
"I don't know that she has."
"Cassie," said Ruth, "your goodness to me has been almost past
understanding; but I could hate you if you spoke against her, for I love
her."
Just then a teacher came out, touched Ruth Craven on her arm, and said:
"Will you go at once to see Miss Ravenscroft?"
"Why, have you got into a scrape, Ruth? Is that why you look so pale and
excited and distressed?" said Cassandra.
She spoke in a whisper. Ruth's eyes looked full into hers.
"God help me," she said under her breath.--"Cassie, if you knew, if you
could guess, you'd pity me."
Ruth turned away and followed the teacher into the school. A moment
later she was standing before the head-mistress.
"Now, Ruth," said that lady, "I have given you as long a time as
possible. Are you prepared to tell me what you know of the Wild Irish
Girls?"
Ruth was silent.
"I can't give you any further time. There is to be a meeting of the
governors at four o'clock this afternoon--a special meeting, convened in
a hurry in order to look into this very matter. If you don't tell me in
private what you can tell me, I shall be obliged to ask you to appear
before the governors. In that case it would be a matter of insurrection
on your part, and it is very doubtful if you would be allowed to remain
in the school.
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