Bet had started toward the corner of the room where Edith was standing, but Shirley laid her hand on her shoulder.
"Come on, Bet," coaxed Shirley. "Don't listen to her. You'll only get into more trouble."
"I don't care, I'm going to tell her what I think of her."
"Aw forget it, Bet!" exclaimed Joy. "What's the matter with you today, anyway? Usually you can laugh at anything mean Edith has a mind to say to you."
"If it were about me, I could stand it. But I'll fight to the death for Kit!"
Luckily the bell rang at that moment and Bet was restrained from further quarreling.
Bet was not asked to make a public apology, as Edith had hoped. Miss Elder in her kindly way talked to the girl and made her see that to lose her temper and say unkind things was not living up to the best that was in her.
"And why did you get angry? What did Edith do?"
"Miss Elder, don't ask me to tell on her. I've never told on anyone in my life. I'll take all the punishment."
"I'm not going to punish you, Bet. I think by the looks of your unhappy face this afternoon that you have been punished enough."