ve lost the
'honor' for this season. This consomme seems to be a dismal failure. This
of course does not preclude you from taking up some other branch of
cookery and winning an 'honor'."

Harriet was on the verge of tears, but she held herself under good
control. Her humiliation was apparent only in her flaming cheeks and
almost imperceptible beads of perspiration that stood out on her forehead.

"This is a matter that must be looked into, Harriet," said the Chief
Guardian. "Young ladies, eat no more of the soup. There is something
seriously wrong with it. It tastes like soap to me, too; I am free to
admit that. I hope no one has been playing pranks," fixing a keen glance
on Harriet's face.

"Oh, Mrs. Livingston," cried Harriet, shocked almost beyond words.

"I am not accusing you of any such thing, my dear," explained the Chief
Guardian. "You would be unlikely to play pranks and lose your 'honor'
mark. The guardians will please accompany me to the kitchen. Young ladies,
you will proceed with your dinner. Upon second thought, Miss Partridge and
Miss Elting will accompany me. The other guardians may remain here."

Mrs. Livingston rose, as did the two teachers whom she had named. A heavy
silence settled over the cook tent after the three women had disappeared
into the kitchen, a small tent at the rear of the cook tent. They were
gone for some time. Finally, Mrs. Livingston and Miss Partridge returned.
Miss Elting was not with them. The Chief Guardian's face wore an
expression of sternness such as none of the girls ever had observed there
before.

Harriet appeared wholly to have lost her appetite. She was making a brave
effort to eat, but the food choked her. The meal was finished in silence.
At the conclusion of the meal, Mrs. Livingston rose and requested the
girls to come to order.

"Young ladies," she began, "a most serious thing has occurred. I make no
accusations. Miss Burrell, where is the key to your supply box?"

"I hung it on a nail on the outside of the tent pole just behind my work
table, Mrs. Livingston."

The Chief Guardian turned to Miss Partridge.

"Do you mind bringing Miss Burrell's key and box, Miss Partridge?" she
asked. The young guardian rose promptly and left the tent. A few moments
later, she returned bearing a galvanized box, slightly larger than a
baking powder case. This she placed on the table before the Chief
Guardian, laying a key beside it. Harriet saw that the box was hers, but
s