“Oh please, Miss Woodhull, let me go back. They are to have a reel,” begged her victim.
“No, I have spoken. You will remain in your room.”
Without more ado the defrauded one hurled herself into the middle of the bed, buried her head in the immaculate pillows and burst into a paroxysm of sobs.
“You have brought this upon yourself. Had you obeyed me there would have been no occasion for this punishment.”
“I was freezing! I just won’t stay stived up here while all the girls are having such fun in the gym. It isn’t fair. I haven’t done a single thing but get this coat,” was sobbed from the bed, as a vigorous kick sent the eiderdown cover flying almost in Miss Woodhull’s face. A little more energy would have compassed it.
Miss Woodhull deigned no reply, but turning swept from the room locking the door behind her. She could deal summarily with rebellious pupils. Then the search was resumed under her eagle eye, but without results. Not a creature was to be found, and dismissing her followers she returned to the gym to get Miss Stetson’s report.
“Are all the older pupils present?” she asked.
“They are,” replied Miss Stetson somewhat icily.
“Excepting Beverly Ashby, of course.”
“Beverly Ashby is here. She is standing in the group near the table,” corrected Miss Stetson with some satisfaction.