When the dreaded inquiry took place, and all the senior girls were called into the "study" to undergo a rigorous cross-examination, she soon found that Miss Richards was very far from accepting her unsupported denial as conclusive.
"Yes, but who can bear out your statement that you did not leave the room or the house throughout the evening?" she asked sternly.
"Betty can," said Kitty. "Betty was in the room with me all the time."
"Ah! Betty! But she is very young, and very attached to you, and would of course be prejudiced."
Kitty's cheeks flamed with indignation, and she had to set her teeth to keep herself from answering.
"Have you no older—more responsible witnesses?"
"No one could be more honest and truthful than Betty," said Kitty proudly. "She wouldn't dream of saying I was there if I wasn't."
"But your father, or your aunt—"
"They were both out," said Kitty. "Anna saw me go to the schoolroom, and saw me begin my lessons, and I never moved until father came to me."
So Anna was called.