"Bring it to me."
Helen rose and came forward with an expressive little fist and opening it laid a crumpled paper upon Miss Hill's desk. As Helen returned to her seat she met Bessy Bell's fiery glance and it seemed to wither her.
The teacher smoothed out the paper and began to read. "Good Heavens!" she breathed, in amaze and pain. Then she turned to Helen. "This verse is in your handwriting."
"Yes'm—but I—I only copied it," responded the culprit.
"Who gave you the original?"
"Rose."
"Where did she get it?"
"I—I don't know—Miss Hill. Really and tru—truly I don't," faltered Helen, beginning to cry again.
Gail and Ruth also disclaimed any knowledge of the verse, except that it had been put into their hands by Rose. They had read it, copied it, written notes about it and discussed it.
"You three girls may go home now," said Miss Hill, sadly.