"Miss Seaton," the matron immediately plunged into the business at hand, "you may repeat to Miss Stearns, Miss Allen and Miss Bennett what you have already told me concerning the affair of last year. Miss Stearns has been informed of your charges against her. She wishes to defend herself." "I certainly do," emphasized Judith, "and I shall make you take it all back, too, Miss Seaton." "I'm sorry I can't oblige you by taking it all back," sneered Marian. "I can merely repeat a little of a conversation that occurred between you and Miss Allen in which you condemned yourself." "Very well, repeat it," challenged Judith coolly. As nearly as she could remember, Marian repeated the talk between Jane and Judith, to which she had dishonorably listened on the night of the freshman frolic. "You were heard to admit that you had stolen a gown from Edith Hammond," she triumphantly accused. "That Edith blamed Miss Bennett and that she confessed you had stolen it. Also that Miss Allen settled for it and you all agreed to keep it a secret. Worse yet, you and Miss Allen only laughed and joked about what you called 'your fatal failing.' Deny if you can that you two had such a conversation." During this amazing recital the faces of at least three listeners had registered a variety of expressions. Marian's spiteful challenge met with unexpected results. Of a sudden the trio burst into uncontrolled laughter. "Girls," rebuked Mrs. Weatherbee sharply, "this is hardly a time for laughter. Miss Stearns, do you or do you not deny that you and Miss Allen held the conversation Miss Seaton accuses you of holding?" "Of course we did," cheerfully answered Judith, her mirthful features sobering. "Then you----" "_We_ were in the dressing room on the night of the freshman frolic when it took place," broke in Jane. "May I ask where _you_ were, Miss Seaton, when you overheard it?" Jane's gray eyes rested scornfully upon Marian as she flashed out her question. "I--I wasn't anywhere," snapped Marian. "I--someone else overheard it." "Then 'someone else' should have taken pains to learn the truth before spreading malicious untruth," tensely condemned Jane. Turning to the matron, she said bitterly: "Mrs. Weatherbee, this whole story is simply spite-work; nothing else. When I have explained the true meaning of Judith's and my talk together in the dressing-room, you will understand everything. Judith's fatal failing is not kleptomania. It's merely absent-mindedness." Rapidly Jane narrated the incident of the missing white lace gown, belonging to Edith Hammond, in which herself, Judith and Norma had figured in the previous year. She finished with: