“What do you mean?”
“I mean that Miss Henderson is the sort of woman who would think very little of small personal pain and inconvenience compared with the injury which might be permanently inflicted on a girl who was harshly dealt with.”
“Still I do not quite understand. If any girl in the school did such a disgraceful thing it ought to be known at once.”
“Miss Henderson evidently does know, but for some reason she hopes the girl will repent.”
“And we are to be punished?”
“Is it not worth having a little discomfort if the girl’s character can be saved?”
“Yes, of course; if it does save her.”
“We must hope for that. For my part,” said Brenda in a reverent tone, “I shall pray about it. I believe in prayer.”
“And so do I,” answered Audrey. “But do you know, Brenda, that I think Miss Henderson was greatly wanting in tact when she mentioned my poor little cousin’s name two days ago.”
“Why so? Your cousin did happen to be alone in the room.”