“It seems incredible that a Glenwood young lady should do such a thing,” Mrs. Pangborn said. “But I have no doubt your motive was innocent enough. Then about the young gentleman with whom you were seen walking?”
Dorothy felt like crying. Who could have tattled these stories? And what a construction to put on her actions!
“He merely walked this way because——”
She hesitated. What was his reason? And how would it sound?
“Was he a personal acquaintance?” asked the inquisitor.
Again Dorothy hesitated. “I know his mother,” she said finally, “and he has been very kind. It was he who sent you the message from the train when we could not get here.”
“Oh, the young man who ’phoned from the station for our car? He certainly was kind, and I can’t see——”
It was then Mrs. Pangborn’s time to hesitate. She had no idea of letting Dorothy know that some one had notified her that Dorothy Dale was out walking with a young man whom she had met on the train—a perfect stranger!
“It is a pity,” the principal went on, “that these first days must be marred with such tattle, but you can readily understand that I am responsible, not only for the reputation of my pupils, but also for my school. I must warn you against doing rash things. One’s motives will not always excuse public criticism.”
Dorothy was too choked to make an answer. She turned to the door.