Mr. Sills passed the book to Kit. The tracings of the first letter although dim, certainly looked like a "K."
"It doesn't make any difference. Even if my name was written in full on that page, I still tell you I never saw the book before."
And through all the questioning, Kit remained firm. Every moment Miss Owens became more excited and indignant against Kit. She felt that the good papers the girl had passed in daily, had been copied, and she disliked the idea of having had such a thing put over in the class.
Kit stood the grilling with patience for a long time, then suddenly she jumped to her feet:
"I have a right to have a friendly person to defend me," she exclaimed. "I want Miss Elder to come in!"
"We are both your friends," said Principal Sills.
Miss Owens' face flushed at the criticism. "And you know Kit, I have always been friendly."
"You are not being friendly now and you are not being just, that is certain. I need someone who will believe me in spite of this, and will help to straighten it out."
Miss Elder was sent for and came in, her eyes smouldering with sympathy for the girl. And right behind her came Bet. The three girls had gone to Miss Elder as soon as class was dismissed, Joy and Shirley in tears, but Bet, stamping up and down the room in a rage.
"Let me go to Mr. Sills!" she cried. "I'll tell him something. Why Kit wouldn't cheat. She just couldn't!"