Lessons began, and the girls were forced to keep their opinions to themselves. It was in the midst of the history lesson that Star walked up the room. The history mistress paused and looked at Star. Star went up to her.
"I have a message from Miss Peacock. She wants to see Susan Marsh at once."
"At once, Star? Does that mean now or after school?"
"Now," said Star briefly.
"Susan," said Miss Forest, glancing at the girl, "go at once to your head-mistress in her private room."
Susan gave Star a very venomous look. Her face turned white. She wondered if Star had really told what she knew; but then she reflected that by no possibility could Star know the truth. She could not know who had stolen the bill out of her purse. She could not possibly guess in what way Susan Marsh had become possessed of Christian's secret. Above all things, she had not the most remote idea that strangers were to be admitted into the attic on the following Wednesday to partake of the Penwernian feast. Any one of these things, if known, would have insured Susan's removal from the school under the most bitter and disgraceful circumstances. But no one could know, and Susan tossed her head in the air, walked down the corridor, entered the central hall, quickly traversed another passage, and knocked at Miss Peacock's door. Miss Peacock said, "Come in," and Susan entered.
"Ah, Susan!" said her mistress, glancing at the girl, and treating her altogether in a different manner from what her conduct had been to Star; "come and stand before me. I have something to say to you."
Susan considered this an indignity. She augured the worst from Miss Peacock's somewhat stern manner. "What is it, Miss Peacock?" she asked.
"Stand quiet, Susan; I want to ask you a question."