There was a stir in the rear of the room and a girl elbowed her way through a group of newcomers who were waiting to see Miss Romaine.
"The north room!" cried this girl, in a high, strident voice. "Why, they can't have that room! It belongs to me!"
CHAPTER XI
A VANQUISHED ENEMY
At the astonishing statement made by one of the schoolgirls, an excited murmur spread among the group gathered in the principal's office.
Miss Jane Romaine raised her fine brows and stared at the speaker.
"Nothing in Laurel Hall belongs to you or any other girl, Katherine," she said coldly, each word dropping like an icicle upon the surcharged atmosphere. "If you cannot enter this office in a becoming manner and wait to speak until you are spoken to, I am afraid I shall have to ask you to leave."
Kate Speed—for it was she—flushed angrily, started to speak, and then, at the last minute, thought better of it.
"Do I hear an apology?" Miss Romaine's tone was gentle, but underlying it was a ring of authority not to be denied.
"I'm—sorry," said Kate sullenly and as though she had to drag the words from between her unwilling lips. "But I thought——"