"I knew it before," said Maria Denyse.
"I didn't know Miss Pomeroy was the lady," said Lizzie Harrowgate. "She is mother's best friend, so I suppose she wouldn't tell me. They both came here to school."
Master McCosh raised his head.
"What new gossip now, girls?" he inquired sternly.
"Oh, nothing," answered Miss Parks.
"You are making quite a hubbub about nothing. The next time that subject is mentioned the young lady who does it takes her books and goes home. Miss Holmes expects to come here among you, and the girl who does not treat her with consideration may better stay at home. Jerome Holmes was the friend of my boyhood and manhood; he sinned and he suffered for it; his story does not belong to your generation. It is not through any merit of yours that your fathers are honorable men. It becomes us all to be humble?"
A hush fell upon the group. Clarissa Parks colored with anger; why should she be rebuked, she was not a thief nor the daughter of a thief.
Marjorie went to the master and standing before him with her cheeks blazing and eyes downcast she asked:
"May I go home? I cannot recite this afternoon."
"If you prefer, yes," he replied in his usual tone; "but I hardly think you care to see Miss Pomeroy just now."