y mad on
Kathleen; and as to the servants, there's nothing they wouldn't do for
her. Every one combines to spoil her; I don't see that she has the least
chance."

Cassandra talked a little longer to Alice, and then prepared to go home.
She was disappointed that she had not seen Ruth; but Ruth had promised
to be with her quite early in the afternoon. They were both to work for
two hours, and afterwards their coach was to arrive. Ruth would spend
the entire afternoon at Cassandra's home. On her way back Florence
Archer suddenly joined her.

"Now, Cassie," she said, "what is it?"

"Oh, can't you guess for yourself, Flo? It is this. The school has got
into trouble, and the governors and Miss Ravenscroft mean to sift the
matter to the very bottom. It is pretty bad when all things are
considered, for if the girls won't tell they will be expelled--expelled
without any hope of returning. And I rather fancy Kathleen is the sort
of girl whom no one will betray. It is extremely awkward, and I feel
very miserable about it."

"You look it; and yet it isn't your affair. Your place in the school is
secure enough."

"What does that matter, Flo, when those you love are in danger?"

"Those you love in danger, Cassie! What do you mean now?"

"I mean just what I say. I am decidedly fond of little Ruth Craven. She
is placed in a hard position, but she is so clever and so pretty that
she could do anything. Well, I am certain that Ruth won't betray her
companions."

"I forgot," said Florence, "that she did belong to that silly society.
What a little goose she was!"

"She was led into it by Kathleen. They all were for that matter.
Kathleen seems to have a singular power over them."

"But Ruth doesn't belong to it now."

"No. I can't in justice to her explain any further, Florence. I will
tell you all I can, of course; but may I say good-bye now, for I have a
good deal to do before dinner?"

"You are not half as friendly as you used to be," said Florence,
pouting. "You hardly ever ask me to your house, and when I ask you to
mine you always have an excuse ready. It is somewhat hard on me that
Ruth Craven should have come between us."

"But she hasn't. I wish that you would believe that she hasn't. I have
to give her a sort of protecting love; but you and I, Flo, are equal in
our love. Surely we can afford to be kind to a little girl who has not
our advantages."

"Oh, if you put it in that way, I don't mind a bit," said Florenc