"I can't pretend to explain her motive, but take it she did--stealing, I should call it. But we're too polite at The Woodlands to use such a strong word." "What'll be done to her?" "Pack her back to New Zealand, I hope--and a good riddance. I always said she wasn't a suitable girl to come to this school. She hasn't the traditions of a lady. You might as well try to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear as to get such a girl to realize the meaning of _noblesse oblige_. It's birth that counts, after all, when it comes to the test." "There I think you're wrong, Stephie," put in Lizzie quietly. "Gentle birth is all very well if it involves preserving a code of honour, but in itself it's no hall-mark of character. Some of the humblest and poorest people have been the stanchest on a question of right, when those above them in station have failed utterly. A charwoman can have quite as high standards as a duchess, and often lives up to them much better." "Oh, you're a Radical!" "I want fair play all round, and I must say that Rona has been very straight and square so far. Nobody has ever accused her of sneaking." "No; the bear cub was unpolished, but not a vicious little beastie," agreed Addie. "And it had grown wonderfully tame of late," added Christine. Rona did not appear at the dinner-table; she had been removed from her own bedroom to a small spare room on another landing. She still refused to answer any question put to her. Her silence seemed unaccountable, and the Principals could only consider it as a display of temper. "She was annoyed at being caught red-handed with the pendant in her possession, and she won't give in and acknowledge her wrongdoing," said Miss Teddington to Miss Bowes. "From a strong hint Cook gave me last night I fear there is something more behind it all," returned her partner. "I shall question every girl in the school separately until I get at the truth." Beginning with the monitresses, Miss Bowes summoned each pupil in turn to her study and subjected her to a very strict catechism. From the Sixth she gained no information. They formed a clique amongst themselves, and knew little of the doings of the younger girls. V A were likewise absorbed in their own interests, and only classed Rona as one among many juniors. It was now the turn of V B, and Miss Bowes sent for Ulyth a trifle more hopefully. She, at least, would have an intimate knowledge of her room-mate. "Have you ever known Rona mixed up in any deceit before? What is her general report among her form-mates?" asked the Principal. "Very square. She used to annoy me dreadfully when first she came by turning over all my things, but she soon stopped when I told her how horrid it was. She never dreamt of taking anything. It was the merest curiosity; she hadn't been taught differently at home." "Have you found her eating sweets or cakes in her bedroom lately?" Ulyth hesitated and blushed. "Ah! I see you have! You must tell me, Ulyth. Keep nothing back."