Thompson, who having brought the news was expected to know everything
relating to her unfortunate school-fellow's family affairs.

"I don't know," replied Ethel. "Perhaps Mr. Stanley will begin business
again, men do sometimes, you know; or he may go away from the town and
start elsewhere."

"The best thing he can do, I consider," cried Julia. "I can't conceive
how people can show themselves in a place where every one knows they
have failed. I am sure I could not do it. But some persons have coarse
natures and do not feel things as much as others."

"I am quite sure that the Stanleys have feelings as keen as any of us,"
remarked a shy quiet-looking girl. "You know how sensitive poor Mabel
is, and I do hope that if she comes back we shall all be kind to her and
not let her know that we have ever heard about her father's
misfortunes."

"That may be your opinion, Nora Ellis," said Julia, "but for my part I
do not choose to associate with a bankrupt's daughter. If she should
return here, of course no one would speak to her; but I do not suppose
that there is any fear of it. Miss Elgin would be making a great mistake
if she were to receive Mabel Stanley, and would be ruining her school
and acting against her own interests."

"I daresay Miss Elgin will do as she thinks best," retorted Ethel
Thompson, sorry to have raised a storm which it was not easy to subdue.

Julia and Ruth did not reach school the following morning until nearly
ten o'clock, the hour at which Miss Elgin's pupils assembled for their
morning classes.

They had scarcely entered the cloak-room before they became aware that
something unusual had occurred, something which was evidently connected
with the young girl standing apart from the rest, at the end of the
room, and looking tearful and timid. In a moment Ruth guessed, from the
scornful expression of her cousin's face, that the new-comer was Mabel
Stanley who had been so freely discussed the previous day, and that the
poor child had met with a very cool reception on her return to school.

Pity for the unfortunate girl, indignation at the freezing glances
bestowed upon her, mingled perhaps with a vague idea of vexing Julia,
caused Ruth to make a sudden resolution to befriend her; and when upon
entering the schoolroom she found that their desks were side by side,
she did not delay to take advantage of the fact and endeavour to set
Mabel at ease by referring to her occasionally for help in little
matt