“My—my money didn’t hold out,” confessed Nan, her eyes suddenly dancing. Dr. Prescott was not proving so difficult, after all.
“Mrs. Cupp reports only you for punishment,” said the principal, after a momentary smile. “Don’t you think the others deserve punishment, too?”
“No, Dr. Prescott,” Nan was prompt to say. “It wouldn’t have happened, and the other girls would not have been down there at the boathouse, if it hadn’t been for me.”
“Well, possibly that may be so. That was Mrs. Cupp’s opinion, and we will let it rest at that. Also, Mrs. Cupp recommended you to mercy, Nancy.”
This surprised Nan a good deal. She had not thought the stern matron was given at all to mercy.
“Nevertheless, we must show our disapproval of such reprehensible actions,” continued Dr. Prescott. “You are sentenced to solitary recreation hours for a week. On your honor, remember. No conversation with the other girls, save in study and recitation hours, until a week from to-day. Remember! Not even with Miss Harley. That is all, Nancy.”
CHAPTER XXIII
A STRANGE ADVENTURE
It really seemed awfully funny.
Nan went about with sealed lips save when she had to ask a question of a neighbor in study hour or in class. Even in Room Seven, Corridor Four, there was silence. Bess was at first amused, then disgusted, then indignant.