the Principal bade me bring
this. Also, if there's time before lecture, you are to go to her
private parlor to speak with her. I'll help you and 'twill make the
time seem shorter."

"Thank you, Dawkins, that's sweet and kind of you; but--but I don't
feel any great hurry about dressing. Maybe Miss Tross-Kingdon'll be
better-natured--I mean not so cross--Oh! dear, you know what I mean,
don't you, dear Dawkins?"

"Sure, lassie, I know you have a deal more fear of the Lady Principal
'an you need. She's that just kind of a person one can always trust."

"I reckon I don't like 'just' people. I like 'em real plain _kind_.
I--I don't like to be found fault with."

"Few folks do so like; especially them as deserves it. But you will
love Miss Muriel better 'an anybody at Oak Knowe afore the year's out.
Only them that has lived with her knows her. I do know. A better woman
never trod shoe leather, and so you'll find. Now, you've no time to
waste."

Nor was any wasted, though Dorothy would gladly have postponed the
Principal's further acquaintance till another day. She found the lady
waiting and herself welcomed by a gracious word and smile. Motioning
to a low seat beside her own chair, Miss Muriel began:

"You are looking vastly improved, Dorothy, since you've taken off your
rain-soaked clothes. I hope you haven't taken cold. Have you felt any
chill?"

"Thank you, Miss Tross-Kingdon, none at all. Winifred says I will soon
get used to rain, and she doesn't mind it in the least. She says she
likes it."

The Lady Principal's expression altered to one of sadness rather than
anger, at the mention of the other girl, but she did not criticise her
in words.

"My dear little Dorothy, I sent for you to explain some things about
Oak Knowe which you do not understand. We try to make our rules as few
and lenient as possible, but such as do exist we rigidly enforce.
Where there are three hundred resident and day pupils gathered under
one roof, there is need for regular discipline, and, in general, we
have little trouble. What we do have sometimes comes from ignorance,
as in your case to-night. Your taking so long a walk without a
chaperon, and paying a social visit without permission, was a direct
trespass upon our authority. So, to prevent any future mistakes, I
have prepared you a list of what you may and may not do. Keep this
little notebook by you until you have grown familiar with Oak Knowe
life. Also, you will find copies of