"I _want_ to believe that you are telling the truth. Miss Ashe, but--I am sorry to say that I have known girls, who thought they were truthful, to dissemble--to--" "I am not one of those girls, Miss North. I give you my word of honor that I never saw that book, or one like it, in my life, until this minute. That is all I can say--you may believe me or not." She started to leave the room, her head held a trifle higher than usual, her eyes bright and snapping. "One moment, Miss Ashe. There is no need for anger. This, as I stated before, is a serious matter. It is possible that the girl who brought this book into the school did not realize its full import; its true significance. No girl could read it without taking away much of the bloom that it is our privilege to guard and preserve. Even I, at middle age, should find this book--obnoxious." "And you think that I would secrete a book of that kind in my drawer? That I would touch it any more than you would?" Blue Bonnet's eyes were appealing now, almost pathetic in their mute inquiry. "Do you know of any one who would be likely to put the book in your drawer, Miss Ashe?" Miss North had ignored Blue Bonnet's question for a moment. "No, Miss North, I do not. I don't believe any of the girls I know would have done it." "Very well. You may go now. The matter will be thoroughly investigated." "And in the meantime I remain under suspicion?" Blue Bonnet looked as if she had been struck a blow. It was the first time in her life that her word had ever been doubted in the slightest particular. She had a great reverence for the truth. It was an inheritance. "Straight and true like an Ashe, Honey"--the words rang in her ears now--would always--like an armor they wrapped themselves about her--protected her.... "We have many of us rested under an injustice, Miss Ashe, but right always triumphs. I am old fashioned enough to believe that. The matter will be sifted to the bottom." Blue Bonnet went up to her room feeling that a cloud had settled upon her--a cloud black and ominous. Joy Cross sat in her accustomed seat by the window, reading. She did not glance up as Blue Bonnet entered, but, if anything, turned her face farther away. Blue Bonnet sat down listlessly. Her first thought was to question Joy in regard to the book, but she hated to mention it; to have any one know that she was mixed up in such an unsavory affair. Who could have done such a thing--such a contemptible, cowardly thing? Who, in school, disliked her enough to put her in such a position? How had it happened? Round and round in a groove went her thoughts, bringing no solution. She got up after a while, and opening her top bureau drawer, took out a small box safely guarded in one corner. From the box she drew a miniature which she gazed at long and tenderly. Joy Cross put away her book and left the room.