sense of justice
revolted against the decision, whosever it might be; moreover, Mona did
not care much about the prize she did not care to have the name of being
first merely, her ambition was to _be_ first, and feel herself first.
She knew in her own heart that in this matter she was far behind Minnie,
and was therefore far from being satisfied, although any of the girls
would have said she certainly ought to be.

She received her music lesson from Miss Marsden herself so when the
hour arrived she resolved to speak to her on the subject, and did so.

"I can't make anything of Minnie," replied Miss Marsden to her query,
"she showed me her translation--one which would have been no shame to a
graduate in Classics, and forgive me, Miss Cameron, greatly superior to
yours.

"She said that she showed me it simply to assure me that it was not
through idleness she declined to enter the Latin competition. I was
naturally anxious to know what motives influenced her in this course,
but she would give me no satisfaction on that point. She merely said she
did not intend to send it, that was all.

"I reasoned with her," continued the Principal, "and used every argument
I could think of to induce her to change her mind, and finally
represented to her that it was her duty to consider the interests of the
school as well as her own feelings. She became quite distressed at this,
and assured me she had made every effort in her power to make a
creditable appearance, but she _could_ not alter her determination in
this case.

"I saw that further remonstrance would only pain her and could not
effect my purpose, so I said no more, but allowed her to have her way."

Mona looked almost incredulous for a moment, and then without a word
went on with her music. She thought she had discovered Minnie's motive.

When she entered the schoolroom again, she secured a seat beside Mabel,
and launched at once into the subject uppermost in her mind.

"Well, Mabel," she began, "what do you think of the result of the
examination?"

"I don't know that I have thought much about it at all but I do not see
how the result could have been different."

"Ah, then, I was right in supposing you to be aware of Minnie's
intention not to send that Latin translation?"

"Yes, I did know of it," replied Mabel.

"And why then, in the name of justice, did you not prevent her carrying
out that intention?" demanded Mona, impatiently, almost forgetting her
object. "