She shut her eyes, folded her arms, and prepared for further slumber; but somehow Kathleen had effectually aroused her. She could not get the radiant face out of her head, nor the words, a little sad in their meaning, out of her ears. She looked up as though moved to say something.
"As you have asked me a question, I will give you an answer. I know a way in which you can secure my good opinion."
"Really!" said Kathleen, who was too angry now to be properly polite. "And what may that way be?"
"Why, this: if you will tell the truth about your horrible society, and spare dear little Ruth Craven, and make Cassandra Weldon happy."
"I don't care twopence about your tiresome Cassandra; but little Ruth—what ails her?"
"The governors are going to insist upon her telling what she knows."
"But she won't," said Kathleen, laughing merrily. "She is too much of a brick."
"Then she'll be expelled."
"What nonsense!"
"You wait and see. You don't know the Great Shirley School as well as I do. However, I have spoken; I have nothing more to say. It is time to get up, after all."