“My dear Marion,” said Mrs. Stone, using Miss Preston’s Christian name, as she sometimes did when more than usually solicitous of her welfare, “I’ve come to have a little talk with you regarding what happened last night, and I’m sure you will not take it amiss from one who has known you since your childhood.”
“Do I often take it amiss?” asked Miss Preston, with an odd smile.
“Indeed, no; you are most considerate of my feelings, and I fully appreciate it, considering our business relations. Of course, I have not the slightest right to dictate to you, nor would I care to have you regard it in the light of dictation. It is only my extreme interest in your welfare that prompts me to speak at all.”
“And is my welfare in serious peril now?” asked Miss Preston, half laughing as she recalled the previous evening’s prank and her own very thorough enjoyment of the fun.
“No, my dear, not in peril, but I fear that you will never grow to look upon your position in the world with sufficient seriousness, for, I assure you, your responsibility is enormous.”
“Would I could forget that mighty fact for one little fleeting moment,” thought Miss Preston, but, aloud, she asked:
“And do you think that I am not fully conscious of it, Mrs. Stone?”
“Oh, most conscious! most conscious! You could not be more conscientious, I am sure, but you sometimes let a misdemeanor, such as occurred last night, go unpunished, and it establishes an unfortunate precedent, I fear.”
“Did you ever know me to punish any girl placed in my charge?” asked Miss Preston, a slight flush creeping over her face.
“Certainly not! Certainly not!” cried Mrs. Stone, hastily, for she had touched upon a point which she knew to be a very sensitive one with her principal, and wished to smooth matters down a trifle. “I do not mean punishment in the generally accepted term, but do you think it wholly wise to let the girls feel that they can do such things and, in a measure, find them condoned?”