tes later, the young Singletons and Miss Carter
having promised to arrive at The Follies on Thursday, Irene, Rosamund,
and Miss Frost took their leave.

"Well, now, wasn't I a darling? Didn't I behave well?" said Irene.
"Aren't you pleased with me, Rose--dearest, sweetest, red, red Rose?"

"Yes, on the whole, I am quite pleased with you," said Rosamund; but she
leaned back in her seat. She felt tired and sad. She had done a good
work, and she knew it, and yet she had injured her reputation; and her
mother would be annoyed, and her father displeased. What was to be done?

There was some one else who was very much troubled on Rosamund's behalf,
and that was the Rev. John Singleton. It was not his habit to consult
any of his children, not even Maud, whom he relied on almost as he had
relied on his wife; but he went straight over that very evening to the
Merrimans' house; and although he could not go inside for fear of
infection, he had a conversation with the Professor in the garden. There
he spoke with such verve and enthusiasm with regard to Rosamund, and the
marvelous change she had already wrought in the naughtiest girl in the
entire district, that he induced that gentleman to change his mind.

"If you think it absolutely necessary, I will give her a chance."

"You must give her a chance. It would be culpable to allow such a girl
to enter on the world with such a stigma as being expelled from school
would mean. You must give her a chance, sir. I hope you will not
hesitate to do so."

Professor Merriman explained that his pupils would not return for at
least another fortnight, that Jane would be sent away in a little over a
week, that the house would be thoroughly disinfected, and the school
would continue.

"Perhaps it would be best for Rosamund to remain where she is for the
present," he said, "and come back to us at the beginning of next term. I
acknowledge that she is a fine girl; very good-looking, too, and with a
most taking way. But she must learn obedience. She would not obey when
she was with us. It was for the sin of disobedience that I dismissed
her. She also broke her word of honor."

"Give her a chance. Believe me, there are circumstances which overcome
all ordinary conditions," said the good clergyman; and he went away
feeling assured that Professor Merriman would keep his word.

CHAPTER XVII.

NEW RESPONSIBILITIES.

This was the beginning of July. Towards the end the school would break