irls, I know. Poor things! I--"

"Don't interrupt me, Kathleen; I have more to say. Is it true that you
encourage certain girls in this school"--here Miss Ravenscroft put up
her hand to check Kathleen's words--"to rebellion and insubordination?"

"I don't know what insubordination is," said Kathleen, shaking her head.

"Is it true," continued the head-mistress, "that you have started a
society which is called by some ridiculous name such as The Wild Irish
Girls, and that you meet each week in a quarry a short distance from
town; that you have got rules and badges; that you sing naughty songs,
and altogether misbehave yourselves? Is it true?"

Kathleen closed her lips firmly together. Miss Ravenscroft looked full
at her. Kathleen then spoke slowly:

"How did you hear that we do what you say we do?"

"I do not intend to name my informant. The girls who have joined your
society and are putting themselves under your influence are the sort of
girls who in a school like this get most injured by such proceedings.
They have never been accustomed to self-restraint; they have not been
guided to control themselves. Of all the girls in the school whom you,
Miss O'Hara, have tried to injure, you have selected the foundationers,
who have only been to Board schools before they came here. They look up
to you as above them by birth; your very way, your words, can influence
them. Wrong from your lips will appear right, and right will appear
wrong. You yourself are an ignorant and unlearned child, and yet you
attempt to guide others. This society must be broken up immediately. I
will forgive you for the past if you promise me that you will never hold
another meeting, that as long as you are at the school you will not
encourage another girl to join this society. You will have to give me
your word, and that before you leave this room. I do not require you to
betray your companions; I do not even ask their names. I but demand your
promise, which I insist on. The Irish Girls--or the Wild Irish Girls,
whatever you like to call them--must cease to exist."

Miss Ravenscroft ceased speaking.

"Is that all?" said Kathleen.

"What do you mean? I want your promise."

"But I have nothing to say."

"You are not stupid, Kathleen O'Hara--I can see that--and I should hope
you were too much of a lady to be impertinent. What do you mean to do?"

"Indeed," said Kathleen, "I don't mean to be impertinent, and I don't
want to tell a lie. The best