“But there’s no rule against it,” suddenly interrupted Maggie.
“Hush! your turn to speak will come presently. You know, Miss Singleton—all the right-minded girls in this college know—that we deal in principles, not rules. Now, please go on with your story.”
Polly’s broken and confused narrative continued for the next five minutes. There were some titters from the girls behind her—even Miss Heath smiled faintly. Miss Eccleston alone remained grave and displeased.
“That will do,” she said at last. “You are a silly and rash girl, and your only possible defence is your desire to keep the knowledge of your extravagance from your father. Your love for him, however, has never taught you true nobility. Had you that even in the most shadowy degree, you would abstain from the things which he detests. He gives you an ample allowance. Were you a school-girl and I your mistress, I should punish you severely for your conduct.”
Miss Eccleston paused. Polly put her handkerchief up to her eyes and began to sob loudly.
“Miss Oliphant,” said Miss Eccleston, “will you please account for the fact that you, who are looked up to in this college, you who are one of our senior students, and for whom Miss Heath has a high regard, took part in the disgraceful scenes which occurred in Miss Singleton’s room on Monday evening?”
“I shall certainly tell you the truth,” retorted Maggie. She paused for a moment. Then, the colour flooding her cheeks, and her eyes looking straight before her, she began—
“I went to Miss Singleton’s room knowing that I was doing wrong. I hated to go, and did not take the smallest interest in the proceedings which were being enacted there.” She paused again. Her voice, which had been slightly faltering, grew a little firmer. Her eyes met Miss Heath’s, which were gazing at her in sorrowful and amazed surprise. Then she continued—“I did not go alone. I took another and perfectly innocent girl with me. She is a newcomer, and this is her first term. She would naturally be led by me, and I wish therefore to exonerate her completely. Her name is Priscilla Peel. She did not buy anything, and she hated being there even more than I did, but I took her hand and absolutely forced her to come with me.”
“Did you buy anything at the auction, Miss Oliphant?”
“Yes, a sealskin jacket.”