Miss Thompson thereupon delivered a sharp little
lecture on unnecessary absence, informing Eleanor that it was the rule
of the school to present a written excuse for absence, and that a verbal
excuse would not be accepted.

"I will overlook it this time, Miss Savell," Miss Thompson said,
"because you are not as yet thoroughly acquainted with the rules of this
school, but do not let it occur again. And I must also insist upon
punctuality in future. You have been late a number of times."

With these words the principal turned to her desk and resumed the
writing she had been engaged in when Eleanor entered.

For a second, Eleanor stood regarding Miss Thompson with angry eyes. No
one had ever before dared to speak sharply to her. She was about to tell
the principal that she was not used to being addressed in that tone, but
the words would not come. Something in the elder woman's quiet, resolute
face as she sat writing checked the wilful girl, and though she felt
deeply incensed at the reprimand, she managed to control herself and
walked out of the office with her head held high, vowing to herself that
Miss Thompson should pay for what Eleanor termed "her insolence."

All morning she sulked through her classes, and before closing time had
managed to incur the displeasure of every teacher to whom she recited.

"What ails her to-day?" whispered Nora to Jessica.

It was geometry hour, and Miss Ames, the geometry teacher, had just
reproved Eleanor for inattention.

Nora shook her head. She dared not answer, as Miss Ames was very strict,
and she knew that to be caught whispering meant two originals to work
out, and Nora hated originals.

When the bell rang at the close of the hour, Eleanor walked haughtily by
Miss Ames, giving her a contemptuous look as she passed that made the
teacher tighten her lips and look severe. Grace, who was directly
behind her, saw both the look and the expression on the teacher's face.
She felt worried for Eleanor's sake, because she saw trouble ahead for
her unless she changed her tactics. If Eleanor could only understand
that she must respect the authority of her various teachers during
recitation hours and cheerfully comply with their requests, then all
might be well. Since Miss Leece had left the High School at the close of
Grace's freshman year, she could not conscientiously say that she
disliked any of her teachers. They had been both kind and just, and if
Eleanor defied them openly, then