'Leucha, I forbid you to speak in that tone to your head-mistress. I acknowledge that Hollyhock did wrong; but, oh, how humbly, how thoroughly, she has repented! I fully admit that she had no right to dress up Meg Drummond as a ghost and to frighten such a nervous, silly girl as you are; but afterwards, when she saw the effect, who could have been more noble than Hollyhock; who could have nursed you with more splendid care, and—and loved you, Leucha—you, who are not popular in the school?'
'I don't care! I won't stay here long,' muttered Leucha. 'If you think I am going to eat humble pie to that Hollyhock, you are mistaken, Mrs Macintyre.'
Mrs Macintyre was silent for a moment; then she spoke.
'I am sorry. A nobler nature would have taken the thing as a joke; but you, alas! are the reverse of noble. You have a small nature, Leucha, and you must struggle against it with all your might if you are to do any good in life.'
'I am not accustomed to being spoken to in that strain,' said Leucha.
'Perhaps not; it would have been good for you if you had been. Oh, my child, if I could but move your hard heart and show you the blessed spirit of Love pleading for you, and the Holy Spirit full to the brim with perfect forgiveness, stretched out even to you.'
'You talk to me,' said Leucha, 'exactly as if I were the sinner. It's Hollyhock, mean little scamp, who is the sinner, and yet you call her brave and noble.'
'Hollyhock has most fully repented, and therefore is noble. I intend always to love her as she deserves to be loved.'
'Well, I don't care,' said Leucha. 'She is nothing to me in the future. I 'll have nothing to do with her—nothing at all.'
Again Mrs Macintyre was silent.