ast surprised if she
had left them both out, and I should certainly have said it served them
right."

Vivian was at an age when stern justice appears more attractive than
mercy. She kept rules rigidly herself, and had scant patience with
those who did not, serving out retribution in her capacity of monitress
with an unsparing hand. She was perhaps too hard on prodigals, but her
influence and authority undoubtedly did much to maintain the high
standard of St. Chad's; and if she were not altogether popular, she
was, at any rate, greatly respected.

Honor's last delinquency had placed her more than ever on Vivian's bad
list. The monitress considered that it completely cancelled the bathing
episode, and regarded "that wild Irish girl" as the black sheep of the
house, ready to lead astray such innocent lambs as Lettice Talbot who
were impressionable enough to be influenced by her example. Miss
Maitland, though grieved at such a relapse from the marked improvement
that Honor had shown, was fortunately a better judge of character. She
knew that old habits are not overcome all at once, and that it takes
many stumblings and fallings and risings again before any human soul
can struggle uphill. She did not want Honor to be discouraged, and
hoped that if the girl felt herself trusted she would make an effort to
be more worthy of confidence.

"I put you on your parole," she said to her. "It would be impossible
for me to take you to Baldurstone if I imagined you were capable of a
repetition of what occurred last week. I think, however, that I need
feel no anxiety on that score."

"I promise faithfully," said Honor, and she meant it.

Vivian's opinions largely led popular feeling, and as Honor did not
hold a high place in her estimation, the other Chaddites also, in
consequence of the affair on the moors, slightly ostracized "Paddy",
letting her understand that they did not altogether approve of her.
Lettice Talbot suffered a severe snubbing from her elder sister, in
addition to Miss Maitland's censure.

"It was such shockingly bad form!" declared Maisie. "Why, you might
have been two little Sunday-school children, running away from your
teacher to buy common sweets at a small village shop! I'm utterly
ashamed of you. We don't do such things at Chessington. No wonder Miss
Maitland was amazed and disgusted. Yes, I know Honor Fitzgerald is
listening; I'm very glad, because she'll hear what I think of your fine
adventure."

Hon