“One moment, please,” Miss Green called imperiously. “Vivian, you were late at supper. Can you explain this matter. Answer me, can you?” Poor frightened Vivian tried to look into Miss Green’s glaring eyes, but failed miserably. She stammered, hesitated, was silent. “Answer me, Vivian. What sort of a method of procedure is this?” “Please—please, Miss Green, it’s—it’s—” “Well, it’s what?” “It’s the way they discipline sn-snobbish c-cow-boys in Wyoming.” Utter silence reigned for a few long seconds. Miss Green stared at each of the mystified girls, until her eye fell upon Virginia, most mystified of all. “For the present, Virginia,” she said in measured tones, each one distinct, “I will inform you that methods which are in vogue upon a Wyoming ranch are not suitable in a young ladies’ boarding-school. I will see you later.” She turned to go with Miss Wallace, still dripping, still glaring. Miss Wallace’s face had become stern. “Go to your rooms, girls. There will be no talking to-night. Please remember, Mary.” “Yes, Miss Wallace,” promised the Senior monitor. But the mystified Virginia and her wholly indignant room-mate could not resist some whispers. “It’s Imogene,” whispered Priscilla, on Virginia’s bed. “She made Vivian do it; and now she means to put the blame on you, just because you told that story about Dick.” “Oh, she couldn’t be so mean, Priscilla!” “Yes, she could. She’s just that kind. And if Miss Green blames you, I’m going to tell. I am!” This, and much more, went on in whispers in their room, and, for that matter, in every other. No one could sleep, and a half hour later every girl heard Miss Wallace’s voice at Imogene’s door. “Imogene, you are to come to my room at once. No, I don’t wish you, Vivian. At once, please, Imogene.” It was fully an hour later when they heard Imogene reenter her room, but no one ventured either that night or in the morning to ask any questions. As for Virginia, she was summoned to no interview, and suffered no unjust reprimand, save Miss Green’s piercing words, which she wrote, with a half-smile, in the chapter, “Pertaining Especially to Decorum”: “I will inform you that methods in vogue upon a Wyoming ranch are not suitable in a young ladies’ boarding-school.” Miss Van Rensaelar, who returned the next morning, never knew what deluge she escaped. Imogene’s manner forbade any interferences, but apparently Vivian’s life with her room-mate for the next few days was anything but a happy one. Secret discussions were held in The Hermitage, and likewise in the other cottages, for the news had spread; but Imogene and Vivian never attended, and Dorothy, if present, was silent and strangely embarrassed.