ssie is
telling the truth. Why shouldn't she? You've told her that she needn't
be afraid to confess if she did frighten the birds, and that was very
kind and generous of you. So, if she had, she wouldn't have anything to
lose by saying so, and promising not to be careless that way again."

"What do you know about her, ma'am? Isn't it true that she's one of the
two girls you told me about last night--that Miss Mercer had found?
If--"

"I know she's a brave, honest girl, General. She's proved that already."

"I disagree with you, Mrs. Chester," said the general, stiffly. "You're
a lady, and you naturally think well of everyone. I've learned by bitter
experience that we can't always do that. I've trusted men, and had them
go wrong, despite that. If she was one of the girls like the others,
that you'd always known about, it would be different. Then I'd be happy
to take your word for it. But when I think you aren't in any better
position to judge than I am, I've got to use my own judgment."

"I'm sorry, General," said Mrs. Chester. "I can't tell you how sorry I
am--but I'm sure you're wrong."

"She can't stay here, that's certain," said the general, testily. "I
can't have a girl about the place who frightens my birds and then
tells--lies--"

Bessie cried out sharply at that word.

"Oh--oh!" she said. "Really, I've told the truth--I have, indeed! If I
said what you want me to say, than I'd be lying--but I'm not."

"Silence, please!" said General Seeley, sternly. "I'm talking with Mrs.
Chester now, young woman. You've had your chance--and you wouldn't take
it. Now I'm done with you!"

"What do you mean, General?" asked Mrs. Chester, looking very grave.

"You'll have to send her away--where she came from, Mrs. Chester. You
and the girls you can vouch for are welcome, but I can't have her
here."

"I can't do that, General," said Mrs. Chester, not angrily, but gravely,
and looking him straight in the eyes.

"But you must! I won't let her stay here! And these are my grounds,
aren't they?"

"Certainly! But if Bessie goes, we all go with her. It's not our way to
desert those we've once befriended and taken in, General."

"That is for you to decide, ma'am," he said, stiffly. He got up and
bowed to her. "I'm sorry that this should cause a quarrel--"

"It hasn't," said Mrs. Chester, smiling. "It takes two to make a
quarrel, and I simply won't quarrel with you, General. I know you'll be
sorry for what you've said when