"Don't suppose what?" interrogated Emma sharply.
"Nothing," finished Grace shortly.
"Yes, you do suppose something," declared Emma. "I know just what you are thinking. You believe as I do, that Miss West listened—"
"Don't say it, Emma!" exclaimed Grace. "We may both be wrong."
"Then you do believe——"
"I don't know," said Grace bravely. "I admit that suspicion points toward Miss West, but until we know definitely, we must try to be fair-minded. I have seen too much unhappiness result from misplaced suspicion. I know of an instance where a girl was sent to Coventry by her class for almost a year on the merest suspicion."
"Not here?" questioned Emma, her eyes expressing the surprise she felt at this announcement.
"No," returned Grace soberly. There was finality in her "no."
"And the moral is, don't jump at conclusions," smiled Emma. "Come on down to my lair while I remove my Sphinx-like garments and step forth as plain Emma Dean. Don't look so sober, Grace. I've put my suspicions to sleep. I'll give even Miss West the benefit of my doubt. I will even go so far as to forgive her for spoiling my fun to-night. Now smile and say, 'Emma, I always knew you to be the soul of magnanimity.'"
Grace laughed outright at this modest assertion, and obligingly repeated the required words.