“Oh!” The exclamation was general. But Amelia Boggs’ voice rose above the confusion.
“You miserable infant!” she cried. “You ought to be spanked and put to bed for a week!”
“Young ladies!” came in Mrs. Cupp’s stern voice, “less confusion, please!”
Nan had risen in some trepidation to go to the principal’s study. But the suggestion that she was wanted because Linda had lost her necklace almost bound her feet where she stood. It seemed to Nan as though she could not move.
“Nan! Nan!” cried Bess, jumping up, her face ablaze. “It’s a story, a wicked story! They sha’n’t treat you so!”
Her arm was over Nan’s shoulders and she was crying, frankly. Mrs. Cupp’s voice again was heard above the noise.
“Elizabeth! Sit down!”
The reckless Bess paid no attention to the command, but went on with Nan to the door. This flagrant disobeying of the matron’s order awed the other girls to silence.
Bess left her chum in the hall and came back, her eyes streaming.
“I don’t care what you do to me, Mrs. Cupp, so there!” she sobbed. “Nan is shamefully abused. You can punish me all you want to, Mrs. Cupp, only don’t tell me to keep my mouth closed for a week, for I—just—could—not—do—it!”