But I commanded."

"I know, I tried to explain, but she is new to school and--and spoilt."

"She must be."

Miss Ravenscroft was silent for a minute.

"We will defer the subject of Kathleen O'Hara until I have the pleasure
of speaking to her," she said then. "But now, as you are here, I should
like to ask you a few questions."

"Yes."

"What you say, Alice Tennant, will not be--I speak in judicial
phrase"--here Miss Ravenscroft gave vent to a faint smile--"used against
you. I should like to have what information you can give me. There is a
disturbing element in this school. Do you know anything about it?"

"Nothing absolutely."

"But you agree with me that there is a disturbing element?"

"I am afraid I do."

"It has been traced to Kathleen O'Hara."

Alice was silent.

"It is influencing a number of girls who can be very easily impressed,
and who form a very important part of this school. Special arrangements
were made more than a hundred years ago by the founders of the school
that they should receive an education in every way calculated to help
them in life; the influence to which I allude undermines these good
things. It must therefore be put a stop to, and the first way to put a
stop to anything of the sort is to discover all about it. It is
necessary that I should know all that is to be known with regard to the
unruly condition of the foundationers of the Great Shirley School. The
person who can doubtless tell me most is Kathleen O'Hara. The mere fact
of her defying my authority and refusing to come to see me when she is
summoned, shows that she is insubordinate as far as this school is
concerned."

Alice sat very still.

"She has not chosen to appear, and I wish to take quick and instant
steps. Can you help me?"

"I could," said Alice--"that is, of course, I live in the same house
with her--but I would much rather not."

"You will in no way be blamed, but it is absolutely essential that you
should give me your assistance. I am authorized to ask for it. I shall
see Kathleen O'Hara, but from what you say, and from what I have heard,
I am greatly shocked to have to say it, but I think it possible that she
may not be induced to tell the exact truth. If, therefore, you notice
anything--if anything is brought to your ears which I ought to know--you
must come to me at once. Do not suppose that I want you to be a spy in
this matter, but what is troubling the school must be discovered, and
within the