She for a short time
belonged to the rebels, as I must call the Wild Irish Girls, but she saw
the folly of her conduct and left them. She could tell us all about them
if she liked, and help us to bring the insurrection to an end."
"Then that is capital," said Miss Mackenzie in a tone of enjoyment.
"Have the girl summoned, please, Miss Ravenscroft."
Miss Ravenscroft turned to the clerk, who went away at once in search
of Ruth. Ruth came in looking very white, her face dogged, her usual
beauty and charm of manner having quite deserted her. She wore her
little school-apron and she kept folding it between her fingers as she
stood in the presence of her judges.
"Your name?" said Miss Mackenzie.
"Ruth Craven."
"Your age?"
"I am fourteen."
"Where do you live?"
"In No. 2 Willow Cottages."
"Oh, I know," said Miss Mackenzie, looking with more approval at the
child. "I have often met your grandfather. You live with him and his
wife, don't you?"
"Yes, madam."
"And you have been admitted here as a foundationer?"
"Yes, madam."
"In what class is Ruth Craven, Miss Ravenscroft?"
"Ruth is a very diligent pupil. She is in the third remove," replied
Miss Ravenscroft, looking with kindly eyes at the child.
Ruth just glanced at her teacher, and then lowered her eyes. Her
beautiful little face was beginning to have its usual effect upon most
of the ladies present. Some of the stony despair had left it; the color
came and went in her cheeks.
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