There was a terrified hush over the school, and every eye turned to Rose and Ruth. As for the teacher, he seemed stunned.
Darthea jumped to her feet.
“These are friends of mine, sir,” she called out, though her voice shook more than Ruth’s had done. “They do not know the ways of this school yet, and have only come this morning for trial.”
“Ha,” exclaimed the teacher. “Then, since they are no scholars of mine, and cannot be punished for this insolence, you will please step up here, Darthea, and take a whipping for them.”
With tears, barely suppressed, Darthea stepped into the aisle and began to walk toward the desk. Utterly astounded for a second, Rose and Ruth stood motionless. Then they rushed after her, and all three came to halt before the master.
The two sisters were shaking with excitement and anger, so unjust and brutal the whole thing seemed to them. Looking up into the cold and sneering eyes of Mr. Dove, Rose spoke.
“Do you mean to say you are going to hit her! A man, and ... and ... you coward!”
For Rose had never imagined such a thing as this.
And Ruth said too, in a voice that was hoarse with emotion, “Yes, you coward.”
Darthea looked from one to the other in amazement.