"And she presumed to play with school girls," exclaimed Jane indignantly.
"Yes, but we have our official eye on her," Mrs. Weatherbee said rather hurriedly, for Mrs. Weatherbee. "We would not have allowed her to use her so-called skill against our legitimate players, in fact, when she was disqualified for fouls, in your tryout, she then and there was notified she could not again play in any of the games, or take part in any of the athletic contests. We have no objection to her enjoying all the exercises, that is her right, but she is disqualified as a professional, from all amateur sports."
Jane was too surprised for utterance. That a teacher should stand up in their games and try "to best" a set of whole-hearted young school girls!
"I would not allow this to become public, as such occurrences would have an unwholesome effect on the morale of the school," Mrs. Weatherbee went on. "But I knew it would filter through. Such sensations always do get abroad--like steam or smoke; we can't control the influence."
"But Blindwood!" Jane now repeated. "Wasn't that where--Helen went to school?"
"Yes," replied the directress, "Helen was a pupil there also."
"Then that accounts----" Jane hesitated. "Why, I wonder, did Helen not recognize Dolorez?"
"They meet very seldom, and Miss Vincez has changed. She may have been a charter customer at her wonderful beauty parlor for as I am informed from Blindwood, Miss Vincez there was a striking blonde."
"Oh, that is it! She has changed her hair!" Jane could not refrain from exclaiming. "And she knows Helen, and knows her real name of course. Oh, Mrs. Weatherbee, I am sure Dolorez Vincez was responsible for that shock Helen received with the bouquet. Whatever was written on the little card simply shocked Helen out of her senses."
"Precisely," replied Mrs. Weatherbee. "But I have not questioned Helen. I believe the child is on the verge of a nervous collapse, and however kindly we would go about it, a word might be more than she could stand. She is so high strung and temperamental. I have even had her excused from many lessons, believing that the best plan. Helen will do all she can to meet her obligations, and there is no reason why she should be driven."