Nevertheless she did not again attempt to leave the room. She had met with a will stronger than her own and she realized it.
Ignoring Eleanor's final remark, Miss Thompson once more turned her attention to the matter in hand.
"Those girls who are not in any way implicated in this matter are dismissed," she said.
About one third of the girls arose and prepared to leave the study hall, the Phi Sigma Tau being among the number. Grace motioned the girls to hurry. She wished to leave the room with her friends before Miss Thompson noticed them. She knew the principal would insist on an apology from Eleanor, and neither she nor her friends wished it. For the first time since Eleanor had chosen to cut their acquaintance Grace was thoroughly angry with her. She could not forgive Eleanor for having accused her and her friends of carrying tales before almost the entire school; therefore a forced apology would not appease her wounded pride. She drew a breath of relief when the eight girls were safely outside the study hall door.
"Hurry up," she said. "We'll talk when we get outside school. Don't stop for a minute. If Miss Thompson notices that we are gone, she'll send after us."
The girls silently donned their wraps and fled from the building like fugitives from justice. Once on the street a lively confab ensued, all talking at once.
"Let's take turns talking," cried Grace, laughing. "We shall understand each other a little better."
"Now, what do you think of Miss Eleanor?" cried Nora. "She has certainly shown her true colors this time."
"I never heard of anything more unjust than the way she accused us, when we knew nothing about her old plan," said Marian Barber.
"It was abominable," said Eva Allen.