society."

Miss Mackenzie was silent for quite a minute. The other ladies fidgeted
as they sat. Ruth, having delivered her soul, looked down. After a long
pause Miss Mackenzie said quite gently:

"Ruth Craven, you scarcely realize your own position. We cannot possibly
let a little girl who is rebellious, who keeps secrets to herself which
she ought to tell for the benefit of the school, continue in our midst.
We will give you three days to think over this matter. If at the end of
three days you are still obstinately silent, there is nothing whatever
for it but that you should be expelled from the school. Do you
understand what that means?"

"It means that I must go, that I shall lose all the advantages," said
Ruth.

"It means that and more. It means that in the presence of the whole
school you are pronounced unworthy, that you leave the school publicly,
being desired to do so by your teacher. It is an unpleasant ceremony,
and one which you will never be able to forget; it will haunt you for
life, Ruth Craven. I trust, however, my dear child, that such extreme
measures will not be necessary. You think now that you are honorable in
making yourself a martyr, but it is not so. We who are old must know
more than you can possibly know, Ruth, with regard to the benefits of a
great establishment like this. Insurrection must be put down with a
firm hand. You will see for yourself how right we are, and how wrong and
silly and childish you are.--Miss Ravenscroft, a special meeting of the
governors will take place in this room on Saturday morning. This is
Wednesday. Until then we hope that Ruth Craven will carefully consider
her conduct, and be prepared to answer the very vital questions which
will be put to her.--You can go, Ruth."

Ruth left the room.

"An extraordinary child," said Miss Mackenzie.

"A sweet child, I call her," said Mrs. Naylor. "What a beautiful face!"

"My dear Mrs. Naylor, does the beauty of Ruth Craven's face affect this
question? She is, in my opinion, extremely silly, and a very naughty
child.--Miss Ravenscroft, we leave it to you to bring the little girl to
reason. I have known her grandfather ever since he kept a grocer's shop
in the High Street. I have respected him more than any man I ever knew.
This child in appearance is one of Nature's ladies, but we must get her
to see things in the right light, and if necessary she must be made an
example of. It will be very painful, but it must be done."