"Why have you allowed us to do you an injustice?"
The child was overwrought, and a sudden dread seized hold of her.
"Why—what do you mean, Miss Bennet?" she faltered.
"Ruth has explained everything to me. It is a great pity this mistake should have been made——"
Maysie interrupted her.
"It was before she got sent out of class, Miss Bennet," she said. "Oh! don't be angry with her! Don't send her away, will you?"
In her earnestness she laid her hand on Miss Bennet's arm. Miss Bennet drew her to her, and kissed her again.
"Poor child!" she said. "So that's what you've been worrying your little head about. No, I won't send her away, Miss Elton tells me that she has improved already, and I am sure she will forgive her when she knows everything."
Maysie thanked her with tears in her eyes.
"And now, I have one other thing to say," Miss Bennet continued. "You must go to sleep at once, and wake up quite fresh and bright to-morrow morning, and you shall give up the whole day to your painting. What do you say to that?"