On the morning after Betty had been expelled from the Specialities, Fanny ran up to Miss Symes. “By the way,” she said, “I am afraid you will have to do it, for it is the rule of the club.”
“I shall have to do what, my dear Fanny?”
“You will just have to say, please, on the blackboard that Betty Vivian is no longer a member of the Specialities.”
Miss Symes stopped writing. She was busily engaged notifying the hour of a very important German lesson to be given by a professor who came from town. “What do you mean, Fanny?”
“What I say. By the rules of the club we can give no reasons, but must merely state that Betty Vivian is no longer a member. It ought to be known. Will you write it on the blackboard?”
Miss Symes looked at Fanny with a curious expression on her face. “Thank you for telling me,” she said. She then crossed the great hall to where Margaret and some other girls of the Specialities were assembled. She told Margaret what Fanny had already imparted to her, and asked if it was true.
“It is true, alas!” said Margaret.
“But I thought Betty was such a prime favorite with you all,” said Miss Symes; “and she really is such a sweet girl! I have never been more attracted by any one.”
“I cannot give you any particulars, Miss Symes; but I think we have done right,” said Margaret.
“If you have had any hand in it, dear, I make no doubt on the subject,” replied Miss Symes. “It is a sad pity. Fanny says it is one of your rules that an expelled member has her name published on the blackboard, the fact being also stated that she has been expelled.”