Sally remained silent.
“Did you hear my question?”
“Then why do you not answer me. If you are aware which girl did this silly thing why do you keep silent when you know I am sure to discover sooner or later?”
“Perhaps for the same reason Beverly has,” answered Sally. “But why don’t you ask me if I did it Miss Baylis? I’ve often done far worse, haven’t I?”
“You are rarely vulgar in your pranks,” was Miss Baylis’ amazing retort, which caused the class to gasp. What was back of this extraordinary hedging?
“Well I did do it, Miss Baylis, and I am perfectly willing to stand the punishment. Shall I go to Miss Woodhull’s office after class?”
“No, I wish to talk with you myself.”
Sally looked scornful. Well she knew that Miss Baylis had passed her vacation at Kittery Point where Uncle Tom Conant, a bachelor had also passed his. Uncle Tom was rich, good looking and dapper. A lady’s man who charmed every member of the fair sex with whom he was thrown, but with no more idea of matrimony than of murder in his heart. He was devoted to his brother’s children, as well as the fair sex in general and could no more help flattering every one of them than he could help petting the children who were always crowding about him. Some of his stories of Miss Baylis’ “shining up” to him had nearly convulsed his nieces. It was the memory of these which brought the smile to Sally’s lips at the lady’s last words. At that moment the last bell sounded and Miss Baylis was obliged to dismiss her class as quickly as possible. Miss Woodhull was very intolerant of tardiness at meals. Upon the instant the release bell sounded the classes must be dismissed and each girl must hurry to her room to make herself presentable at luncheon.
“Sally, you will come to me immediately after luncheon. I am deeply pained that you could be guilty of such deportment. I wish to talk seriously with you,” was Miss Baylis’ concluding admonition to the incorrigible one.