A day or two was allowed to pass before any further notice was taken of it, then Miss Ashton had decided to spare Marion, and call Susan directly to her. Susan had word sent to her that she was wanted in the principal’s room, and obeyed the summons with a heavy heart.
“Susan!” said Miss Ashton, “I am willing to believe that you copied your poem with the innocent intention of passing it off as a parody, and that you really did not know it could not be accepted, but there is one other thing that troubles me. Some time ago you wrote an excellent story called ‘Storied West Rock;’ was that yours, or another parody?”
Susan dropped her head upon her chest, the color surging into her face, and the tears dropping from her eyes; but she did not speak a word.—Page 343. Miss Ashton’s New Pupil.
Susan! Susan! Tell the truth now; tell it at once, simply, honestly. Do not conceal even how you have suffered from it, not even how unkind and cross you have been to Marion. Own it all at once, quickly, without giving the tempter even a chance to tempt you! Don’t you know, don’t you see, how much your future depends upon it?
Susan dropped her head upon her chest, the color surging into her face, and the tears dropping from her eyes; but she did not speak a word.
In the silence of the room you could have heard a pin drop.
Miss Ashton was answered. When she spoke there was tenderness and deep feeling in her voice.