might have been an
ancient Greek or a modern American, for all she knew. As Professor
Cairnsley came along the line he was gradually eliciting from the
terrified class the superficial points which were more or less common to
all philosophers. Patty perceived that her imagination could not help
her out, that for once the placid professor was on the war-path, and
that Swedenborg, and nothing but Swedenborg, would serve. She cast an
agonized glance up at Priscilla, and Priscilla grinned back with "I told
you so" written on every feature.

Patty looked about desperately. The lecture-room was shaped like an
amphitheater, with part of the seats on a level with the main floor,
and the rest rising in tiers. Patty sat on the main floor, well toward
the rear. She could barely see the professor's head, but he was coming
irrevocably. She did not have to see very clearly to know that. The girl
before her answered wildly; the professor frowned, and, looking down at
his roll-book, slowly and deliberately made a zero.

When he raised his eyes again Patty's seat was empty. She was kneeling
on the floor, with her head bowed behind the girl in front. The
unconscious professor passed over her bent head and called on the girl
on the other side, who coughed hysterically once or twice, and flunked
flat; and while he was crediting the fact in his roll-book Patty resumed
her seat. A ripple of laughter ran around the room; the professor
frowned, and remarked that he saw no occasion for amusement. The bell
rang, and the class somewhat sheepishly filed out.

That afternoon Patty burst into the study where Priscilla and Georgie
Merriles were making tea. "Did you ever think I had much of a
conscience?" she demanded.

"Never thought it was your strong point," said Georgie.

"Well, I've got a perfectly tremendous one! What do you think I've been
doing?"

"Making up your ethics lectures," suggested Priscilla.

"Worse than that."

"You _haven't_ been to gym, Patty!" said Georgie.

"Goodness, no! I'm not so far gone as that. Well, I'll tell you. I met
Professor Cairnsley by the gate and walked in with him, and, if you
please, he complimented me on my work in ethics!"

"That ought to have been embarrassing," said Georgie.

"It was," acknowledged Patty. "I told him I didn't really know as much
as he thought I did."

"What did he say?"

"He said I was too modest. He's such a trustful old man, you know, that
you sort of hate to deceive him.