"If," continued Miss Mackenzie, interrupting Mrs. Naylor, and speaking in a very firm tone—"if, instead of these pleasant things happening, a little girl learns to join insurrectionists, to forget those to whom she is indebted for such tremendous advantages, then how do matters stand—eh, Ruth Craven?"
"I don't understand," said Ruth.
Her trembling and fear had come back to her.
"The dear child is frightened, Miss Mackenzie," said Mrs. Naylor.
"I hope not," said Miss Mackenzie; "but I as chairwoman am obliged to question her.—Ruth Craven, is it true that you became a member of a silly schoolgirl society called the Wild Irish Girls, and that you wore a badge like this?"
Ruth nodded.
"Don't nod to me. Speak."
"It is true," said Ruth.
"Are you now a member of that society?"
"No."