om; "if I must go I will have a talk with Brownie."

He looked at Susy as if he meant to defy her, but Susy was too wise to
anger him at that moment. As soon as ever he was out of the house she
fetched hot water, soap and a clean towel. Having helped old Mrs. Church
with her ablutions, she produced a clean cap and a little black shawl.
The old lady said that she felt very smart and refreshed, and altogether
in a state to do honor to that dear little almshouse.

"I am quite taking to you, Susy," she said. "But I do hope you will
marshal those dreadful girls into the backyard without frightening my
hens or Brownie."

"Pigs aren't remarkable for sensitiveness," said Susy. "But I tell you
what, Aunt Church; Tom's after mischief; he means to witness all the
proceedings of dear Miss Kathleen's great society, and we oughtn't to
let him. It would do a lot of mischief if the school heard of it, and we
would most likely be expelled. He don't mind a word I say, so will you
talk to him, aunty?"

"But he can't be in the yard without being seen; you say that they are
bringing lamps and will make the place as bright as day."

"Yes, but he will be in the sty with Brownie; and he as good as said
he'd give her a pinch to make her squeal."

"Oh, indeed! I'm afraid that must be put a stop to," said the old lady.
"Send him to me this minute."

Susy went out and called her brother. There was no answer for a minute;
then Tom appeared, looking somewhat rakish and disheveled.

"Brownie and I were chumming up like anything," he said; then he pushed
Susy aside and walked into the old lady's presence.

What she said to him even Susy did not hear, but when the little girl
returned to Mrs. Church, Tom was nowhere to be seen.

"Has he gone home, Aunt Church," she asked.

"You leave the boy alone," was Mrs. Church's answer. "He's a good boy,
and the moral of his grand-uncle; and I'll leave him that microscope.
See if I don't."

CHAPTER XX.

THE GOVERNORS OF THE SCHOOL EXAMINE RUTH.

At four o'clock that afternoon the governors of the Great Shirley School
met in the room set aside for the purpose. There were six governors, and
they were all ladies. Their names were Miss Mackenzie, Mrs. Naylor, Mrs.
Ross, the two Misses Scott, and Miss Jane Smyth. The founders of the
Great Shirley School had ordained that it should always be governed by
women--that women should conduct its concerns, should see to the best
possible education of i