"Oh, Miss Peacock!" said the child at last.
Then Miss Peacock dropped her knitting; over her whole face there came an alert, watchful, and yet affectionate expression. She held out both her arms to Star, and the next instant the weeping child was clasped to her breast. Miss Peacock was one of those women who are mothers without ever having had children, and Star knew as those firm arms clasped her, and those lips kissed her on the brow, that she was to all intents and purposes in the presence of a mother.
By and by Miss Peacock loosened her clasp, and motioned Star to a chair by her side. She took one of the girl's hands, pressed it gently, and said:
"Now, darling, you will tell me."
"But I can't," said Star in a choking voice.
"You can't, Stella? You can't tell me about that which I have spoken of, and yet you know?"
"I may not know. I know something; I certainly don't know all; I am distressed, I am unhappy; but if you banish me from the school even, I shall not tell."
Star's voice gained courage as she proceeded. She looked full up at Miss Peacock now.
"Star," said her teacher, "I am the last to force anyone to act against her conscience. Is it a matter of conscience with you to keep this thing to yourself?"
"It would injure Christian if I were to tell; it would be unfair."