Then without another word she began to read first a line of Susan’s poem, then one from the poem in the book, pausing over the changed words, to substitute the one for the other.
In truth, the changes were very few, how few 241 Susan had not realized until they were thus set before her.
“This is hardly what might be called a parody,” Miss Randall said as she ended, looking gravely into Susan’s face. “I suppose you had no idea of passing it off as your own work?”
How inevitably one wrong act leads to another! There is an old saying that “one lie takes a hundred to cover it,” and it is true.
Susan had confidently expected this to pass for her own; but now, without a moment’s hesitation, looking Miss Randall fully in the face, with a pleasant smile she said,—
“Oh, no, Miss Randall! I knew you would recognize it; you are too good a teacher of literature not to suppose you would be familiar with such a fine poem as that. I thought if I made a successful parody, it would be better than any poor thing I could write myself.”
Miss Randall was for a moment staggered. Was the girl telling her the truth, or was it only a readily gotten-up excuse? She waited a moment before she answered, then she said coldly,—
“This will not pass at all. I am sorry you have wasted so much time upon it; you will begin at once upon your essay, and, for fear you will be tempted to use some thoughts not your own, I will change the subject. You will write an essay on ‘Truth.’ Good-afternoon.”
“Miss Ashton!” said Miss Randall, presenting 242 herself, a few moments after Susan’s departure, in the principal’s room. “I am afraid Susan Downer never wrote that excellent story, ‘Storied West Rock.’ I always have wondered over it, for it was far superior to anything else she has done since she has been in school, and now, I am sure, though she denies it in a very plausible way, that she has copied a poem, with only a few immaterial changes to make it fit her subject, intending to palm it off for her own.”
Miss Ashton did not answer at once; she was busy thinking. With the other teachers, her surprise had been great at the ability Susan had shown in the story; and now, instantly, she connected this report of Miss Randall’s with Marion’s embarrassed mention of Susan’s name, and her own intention to discover what was wrong. Perhaps Susan had stolen it, and Marion had become acquainted with the theft. It was not impossible, at any rate she must inquire into it, so she said to Miss Randall.