," said Miss
Ravenscroft; "and your opinion of her, Cassie, confirms my own. She told
me, too, that you have been extremely kind to her. I quite expect that
is the case. But, my dear, the time has come when Ruth will either have
to tell us what she knows or to resign her place in the school."

Cassandra's face looked troubled.

"There are no two opinions on the matter," continued Miss Ravenscroft.
"Yesterday a meeting of the governors was convened. They assembled in
the committee-room, and I was present. Ruth was sent for and questioned
by Miss Mackenzie, our chairwoman. She was asked certain questions,
which she absolutely refused to answer. The only thing we could get out
of her was that she had been a member of the society but was one no
longer."

"She left them because of me," said Cassandra. "She felt she could not
be with me and with those who do not approve of the paying girls."

"There you are!" said Miss Ravenscroft. "Think of the monstrous
mischief that is going on in our midst. Children like the foundationers,
who are received at the school without being expected to pay anything,
who get the most admirable education free of all cost, daring to set up
their opinion against girls who, without being in any sense their
superiors--one doesn't want to imply that for an instant--are yet vastly
superior in numbers. The thing must be put a stop to, and with a high
hand; and to show you, my dear, what we mean to do, we have presented an
ultimatum to Ruth Craven. She will either tell publicly what she knows
of the Wild Irish Girls or be publicly expelled."

"Oh, poor Ruth!" said Cassandra.

"We are naturally most anxious that such a painful scene should not take
place," said Miss Ravenscroft. "I beg of you, therefore, Cassie, to see
her and use your influence to induce her, not from quixotic motives, to
ruin herself and injure the other girls of the school."

"I will do what I can. But Ruth is peculiar. She is, with all her
sweetness, very obstinate. Still, I faithfully promise to do what I
can."

Cassandra left the presence of Miss Ravenscroft and returned to her
place in class. Nothing would induce her not to work with her usual
diligence, but when on certain occasions she raised her head she saw
that Florence Archer was watching her with curiosity and affection, and
that Ruth darted quick glances at her and then bent her head, with its
curly hair falling over her face, to resume her lessons.

This was a ha