O'Jawa read slowly and deliberately:
"First—last—and best,
Thou art all the world to me.
My heart burns.
"Always yours,
"WHITE CHIEF."
"This letter," continued the Mother Superior, "evidently belongs to one of the Algonquin girls, who probably has been receiving secret missives of a similar nature from some white man. As you are aware, young ladies, this offence is punishable with expulsion. Deceit is the mother of all vices. The sisters cannot assume the responsibility of the care of any young lady who would deliberately deceive them in this way; therefore I am under the painful necessity of investigating this matter more fully. Therese, come forward. Your guilty face indicates that you were the recipient of this letter. Were you?"
"I was not, Mother."
"Then it was sent to you and the bearer dropped it before you saw it. Is not that the case?"
"I do not know, Mother."
"Have you ever received any communications of this nature before?"
"I have not, Mother."
"Do you know any White Chief?"
"I do not, Mother."