Meade L. T. - A World of Girls: The Story of a School стр 20.

Dora, whose enunciation was very clear, seemed to have absolutely forgotten herself; she disregarded Miss Goods admonitions, and declared stoutly that at such a moment she did not care what rules she broke. She was quite determined that the culprit who had dared to desecrate her composition, and put plum-cake and Turkish delight into her desk, should be publicly exposed and punished.

The thing cannot go on any longer, Miss Good, she said; there is a girl in this school who ought to be expelled from it, and I for one declare openly that I will not submit to associate with a girl who is worse than unladylike. If you will permit me, Miss Good, I will carry these things at once to Mrs Willis, and beg of her to investigate the whole affair, and bring the culprit to justice, and to turn her out of the school.

Stay, Miss Russell, exclaimed the English teacher, you strangely and completely forget yourself. You are provoked. I own, but you have no right to stand up and absolutely hoist the flag of rebellion in the faces of the other girls. I cannot excuse your

conduct. I will myself take away these parcels which were found in your desk, and will report the affair to Mrs Willis. She will take what steps she thinks right in bringing you to order, and in discovering the author of this mischief. Return instantly to your desk, Miss Russell; you strangely forget yourself.

Miss Good left the room, having removed the plum-cake and Turkish delight from Dora Russells desk, and lessons continued as best they could under such exciting circumstances.

At twelve oclock that day, just as the girls were preparing to go up to their rooms to get ready for their usual walk, Mrs Willis came into the school-room.

Stay one moment, young ladies, said the head-mistress in that slightly vibrating and authoritative voice of hers. I have a word or two to say to you all. Miss Good has just brought me a painful story of wanton and cruel mischief. There are fifty girls in this school, who, until lately, lived happily together. There is now one girl among the fifty whose object it is to sow seeds of discord and misery among her companions. Miss Good has told me of three different occasions on which mischief has been done to different girls in the school. Twice Miss Russells desk has been disturbed, once Miss Thorntons. It is possible that other girls may also have suffered who have been noble enough not to complain. There is, however, a grave mischief, in short, a moral disease in our midst. Such a thing is worse than bodily illness it must be stamped out instantly and completely at the risk of any personal suffering. I am now going to ask you, girls, a simple question, and I demand instant truth without any reservation. Miss Russells desk has been tampered with Miss Thorntons desk has been tampered with. Has any other girl suffered injury has any other girls desk been touched?

Mrs Willis looked down the long room her voice had reached every corner, and the quiet, dignified, and deeply-pained expression in her fine eyes was plainly visible to each girl in the school. Even the little ones were startled and subdued by the tone of Mrs Williss voice, and one or two of them suddenly burst into tears. Mrs Willis paused for a full moment, then she repeated her question.

I insist upon knowing the exact truth, my dear children, she said gently but with great decision.

My desk has also been tampered with, said Miss Temple in a low voice.

Every one started when Cecil spoke, and even Annie Forest glanced at her with a half-frightened and curious expression. Cecils voice indeed was so low, so shaken with doubt and pain, that her companions scarcely recognised it.

Come here, Miss Temple, said Mrs Willis.

Cecil instantly left her desk and walked up the room.

Your desk has also been tampered with, you say? repeated the head-mistress.

Yes, madam.

When did you discover this?

To-day, Mrs Willis.

You kept it to yourself?

Yes.

Will you now repeat in the presence of the school, and in a loud enough voice to be heard by all here, exactly what was done?

Pardon me, answered Cecil, and now her voice was a little less agitated and broken, and she looked full into the face of her teacher, I cannot do that.

You deliberately disobey me, Cecil? said Mrs Willis.

Yes, madam.

Mrs Williss face flushed she did not, however, look angry she laid her hand on Cecils shoulder and looked full into her eyes.

You are one of my best pupils, Cecil, she said tenderly. At such a moment as this honour requires you to stand by your mistress. I must insist on your telling me here and now exactly what has occurred.

Cecils face grew whiter and whiter.

I cannot tell you, she murmured; it breaks my heart, but I cannot tell you.

You have defied me, Cecil, said Mrs Willis in a tone of deep pain. I must, my dear, insist on your obedience, but not now. Miss Good, will you take Miss Temple to the chapel? I will come to you, Cecil, in an hours time.

Cecil walked down the room crying silently. Her deep distress and her very firm refusal to disclose what she knew had made a great impression on her school-fellows. They all felt troubled and uneasy, and Annie Forests face was very pale.