t because I have mastered one
language besides my own. I've spoken Spanish ever since I can
remember, first with the little Mexican children around the ranch, and
later I learned it properly with a teacher who wanted to pick it up.
And I think it makes it easier now in Latin."

"Which shows you're clever just the same," laughed Shirley. "Imagine
being able to speak in Spanish and knowing some of the Indian dialects
as well."

"Huh! I'd call that smart," exclaimed Joy. "I'll never be able to do
anything in languages. Why can't they have dancing and give
scholarships for that?"

"Never mind, Joy," soothed Bet. "Maybe they'll invent a way to study
Latin on tiptoe, then you'll be at the head of the class."

"Those examinations next week give me heart trouble," shivered Joy. "I
just hate exams!"

The dreaded quarterly examinations came, however. The Latin test was
hard: most of the pupils sighed, bit their pencils and the ones who
were unprepared, gave up in despair.

But Kit turned in a paper that afterwards proved to be almost perfect.
Just at the close of the test when Miss Owens was picking up the test
papers, she passed Kit's seat and saw a book protruding from her desk.

The order had been that all books were to be turned in and anyone found
possessing a book would be given zero in the test.

Miss Owens stopped short. "Why Kit Patten!" she exclaimed in
amazement. "Give me the book that you have in your desk!"

Kit started in surprise looking in her desk and handed the book to the
teacher, her face white.

"Where did you get that book?" exclaimed Miss Owens. Raising the book
above her head she announced to the class. "This book is a Latin Key.
I'm surprised Kit Patten, that a girl like you could do such a thing."

Kit sprang to her feet. "Miss Owens, I never saw that book before."
Her voice was clear and strong, no sign of guilt or embarrassment.
"There must be some mistake."

"Come with me!" ordered Miss Owens, hastily picking up the rest of the
test papers, and led the way to the office.

Miss Owens blurted out the story to Principal Sills. She was too
outraged to be just to anyone at the moment and even the principal felt
no inclination to be lenient.

"You know," said Mr. Sills, facing the girl, "that this is a serious
thing you have done. It means only one thing, that is expulsion from
the school. No pupil is allowed to have a key."

It was some time before Bet had a chance to sta