speak; as for Peggy, she was too bowed down with shame and wretchedness
to think even of her companion. She had been trusted; and she had
betrayed the trust. There seemed nothing in the whole world but that.

They parted outside Peggy's window. Grace was going up a story higher on
the fire-escape, Peggy did not think nor ask where.

No word was spoken; only, Grace laid her hand on Peggy's shoulder and
looked in her face for a moment. Peggy could not speak, could only shake
her head. A single sob broke from her lips; then she hurried in, and
closed the window behind her.

Then Grace Wolfe did a singular thing. Standing on the iron step, she
took from her pocket the packet of marshmallows, and deliberately
scattered them over the lawn, throwing each one as far as her arm could
reach.

"For the frogs!" she explained, aloud. "With the compliments of the
Goat, the Wolf, and the Serpent,--to which is now added the Beast which
Perishes!"

CHAPTER IX.

FACULTY MEETING AND BEDLAM.

"Have you proof of this, Miss Pugsley?"

"I am perfectly sure of it, Miss Russell!"

"Yes; I am sure you would be, before you spoke of it; but have you the
proof? Of course, before taking any such serious step as you propose, I
should, in justice to all, be obliged to ask for positive proof."

"Proof!" cried Miss Pugsley, in some excitement. "Proof enough! Look at
my bonnet, Miss Russell. Oblige me by smelling of it. I can never wear
it again, never! I tell you, brandy has been poured over it. Here are
the slippers!" She produced a pair of slippers which were certainly in a
sad condition. "They were nailed--nailed with tenpenny nails, to the
floor of my closet; they are totally ruined. Look--I ask you all,
ladies, to look at my hand-glass!" She held up the glass; and at the
sight Emily Cortlandt had one of those violent fits of coughing that
often troubled her; this one was so bad that she was obliged to leave
the room for a moment. The worst of it was that one or two of the other
teachers seemed to have caught the infection, for there was a regular
outbreak of coughing and choking, which only a severe glance from Miss
Russell checked.

Somebody had painted a face on the little mirror. It covered the whole
surface; the face of a monkey, with grinning mouth, and twinkling,
malicious eyes; it had an undoubted resemblance to Miss Pugsley. As she
held it up with a tragic gesture, the effect was so absurd that even
Miss Russell might