“Better than some of us, surely,” fought Tavia.
“If you mean that for me, Miss Octavia Travers,” flamed up Nita, “I shall demand an apology. My family record cannot be questioned.”
“I said nothing about your family, I was talking about you. And if you demand an apology, I guess you’ll have to take it out in demanding.”
“We shall see about that. Miss Bylow will be able to settle this.”
“Miss Bylow, indeed! Since when did she become head of Glenwood? Oh, I see. You have taken her into your confidence. Perhaps you have—exactly! I see it as clearly as if I had been there. Miette lost a note and you gave it to Miss Bylow!”
At this direct accusation Nita turned scarlet.
A chorus of “Ohs!” went up from the others.
“You didn’t really do that?” asked Edna Black.
“This is not an investigating committee,” Nita found words to say. “And I can’t see that what I may do is any of your business,” and at this she, too, fled from the room.
Meanwhile Dorothy and Rose-Mary were doing their best to console Miette, who lay on her bed weeping bitterly.