"Who dared to mark you like that?" he exclaimed, standing her on her feet. "Wait. I want to see it. Who did it?"
He pushed back the sleeve, and stood analyzing the bruised shoulder and arm.
"Who did it?" he persisted, drawing a quick, sharp breath.
"Dominie Graves," muttered the girl.
"What!" Two deep creases marked the fine brow.
"He licked me," reiterated Tess, with an indifferent droop to her lids. "He had a right. I were a-stealin'."
"Tessibel! Tessibel! Look at me."
She swept him with a glance of truth.
"Are you—? Tess, I demand to know it all—all! Please, tell me about it!"
"There ain't much to tell," she returned; "only that I were a-stealin' from the Dominie's kitchen, and he licked me for it."