ed. "I have never been punished in my life,
therefore I am not liable to give you the first opportunity. I despise
you, because you are a ridiculous prig, and I am glad of an opportunity
to tell you so. As for the persons who told you about our plan, words
cannot express my contempt for them, and right here I accuse Grace
Harlowe and her sorority of getting the information from Mabel Allison
yesterday and carrying it to you. They are all tale-bearers and sneaks."

With these words, Eleanor angrily flung the book she held on the desk
and walked down the aisle toward the door, but Miss Thompson barred her
way.

"Stop, Miss Savell," she commanded. "You shall not leave this room until
you have apologized to the girls whom you have unjustly accused and to
me. I will not tolerate such behavior."

Eleanor glared at the principal, whose face was rigid in its purpose,
then sank into the nearest vacant seat, saying defiantly: "You may keep
me here all night if you like, but, I meant what I said, and I shall
retract nothing."

Nevertheless she did not again attempt to leave the room. She had met
with a will stronger than her own and she realized it.

Ignoring Eleanor's final remark, Miss Thompson once more turned her
attention to the matter in hand.

"Those girls who are not in any way implicated in this matter are
dismissed," she said.

About one third of the girls arose and prepared to leave the study hall,
the Phi Sigma Tau being among the number. Grace motioned the girls to
hurry. She wished to leave the room with her friends before Miss
Thompson noticed them. She knew the principal would insist on an apology
from Eleanor, and neither she nor her friends wished it. For the first
time since Eleanor had chosen to cut their acquaintance Grace was
thoroughly angry with her. She could not forgive Eleanor for having
accused her and her friends of carrying tales before almost the entire
school; therefore a forced apology would not appease her wounded pride.
She drew a breath of relief when the eight girls were safely outside the
study hall door.

"Hurry up," she said. "We'll talk when we get outside school. Don't stop
for a minute. If Miss Thompson notices that we are gone, she'll send
after us."

The girls silently donned their wraps and fled from the building like
fugitives from justice. Once on the street a lively confab ensued, all
talking at once.

"Let's take turns talking," cried Grace, laughing. "We shall underst