“Suppose nothing is done, what will happen?” said Kitty.
“Well, I tell you what will happen. Father will go straight to see Mrs. Fleming.”
“But isn’t Mrs. Fleming away?”
“You know she’s not; she’s staying at The Red Gables the whole of these holidays to watch the building of the new wing. Father will go and see her, and he will tell about you, and you will be expelled. Oh Kitty, Kitty, it is true! There’s a feeling against you in the school. I can’t really make out why, but there is; and, Kitty, I don’t believe Mrs. Fleming would be very sorry to expel you.”
“I dare say not,” said Kitty. Her hand trembled a little. After a minute she said, “Can we go to the post-office when we get to Downton?”
“Why, of course.”
“I want to write to Miss Weston, and I want to post the letter, and when the reply comes, will you and Grace promise me one thing?”
“What is that?”
“To make no remark of any sort. You will see when the account comes in what I have done, and you’re not to make any comment. It is the only thing to be done; if you do anything else I’ll tell about the black silk stockings. You know what I mean.”
“Oh, you couldn’t—you couldn’t!” said Anne, turning crimson.