“DE HANTS DONE GOT DIS HYER HOUSE SURE”
They had now reached the south corridor, Miss Woodhull in the full force of her convictions, again heading straight for Suite 10, and bedroom A, in order to substantiate her statement of having within the past twenty minutes locked Beverly in.
She was affirming in no doubtful voice to Miss Stetson: “There is no reason that I should try to justify myself or endeavor to prove that my faculties are unimpaired, unless I choose to do so, but I prefer to convince both you and Mrs. Bonnell that I generally know what I am talking about. You will find that door securely locked!”
They needed no urging, but the door opened at a touch, locks nevertheless and notwithstanding. The light was switched on instanter. The room was absolutely undisturbed, likewise the bed. The puff cover, so lately hurtling through space and straight for Miss Woodhull’s august head, lay neatly folded in a triangle across the foot of the bed. The pillow case did not show a line or crease. The spread was absolutely unrumpled. In short, not one single thing was out of place or tumbled. The room might not have been occupied for twenty-four hours so far as any sign of disturbance was evident.
Miss Stetson looked just a trifle skeptical. Mrs. Bonnell’s lips twitched a bit at the corners though her face was most respectfully sober.
With one withering glance at Beverly, the teachers, and all concerned, Miss Woodhull remarked scathingly: “If you were capable of such expedition in worthier causes you would lead the school,” and glancing neither to the right nor left, swept from the room.
“You are to retire at once and no noise, young ladies,” ordered Miss Stetson, divided between satisfaction at having proved her statement regarding Beverly’s presence in the gym and her resentment at being doubted at the outset.
Mrs. Bonnell had already retreated to her special sanctum, there to have a quiet laugh over the whole absurd situation. She had guessed, of course, who Tweedle-dee and Jack o’ Lantern were and in spite of rules to the contrary, thought it a rather good joke than otherwise. Presently she would send the servants into the gym to clear away the remains of the feast, but she would have her laugh first.
Miss Baylis, whose room was in the main building with the seniors had repaired thither to enforce compliance with Miss Woodhull’s commands. No easy task, for some of the girls were long past baby days and resented baby treatment. The other teachers also had their hands full. Consequently the south wing was left entirely to Miss Stetson’s supervision, and the south wing was a pretty sizable building and naturally under existing circumstances, it did not simmer down as promptly as under ordinary conditions. Miss Stetson was compelled to go from room to room.
“Girls, be quick! Get undressed as fast as you can and put out your light,” urged Beverly.