"I don't want any of you to talk to me; I have nothing to say at all: I want to go back to my bed," said Jane, who was so terribly frightened that she forgot all that remorse which troubled her, her only present desire being to fly from the presence of the dreadful five girls who had entrapped her into their power. "Come, come," said Patience; "there's no good in giving way: it will be all right if you only tell us the truth. Sit down in that chair and make yourself comfy. Now then, you poor little thing, we know quite well that you are the cat's-paw, and that your poor little paw is dreadfully burnt. But never mind, Janie, you will be out of all this misery if you will take the advice of girls who at least have a shadow of honour in their disposition." At these words, Jane stopped crying, raised her head, and looked with her round black eyes full into the faces of all five. It was true what they had said: they were honourable and she, if left to herself, would much rather not walk in deceit's crooked ways. She gave a sigh deep from her heart. A memory stole over her of the little children who were really all her world--little Miriam, little Bobbie, they thought their own Jane perfect; but if they could look into her heart, would even such tiny children trust her? She shivered, and sat very still. "You had best do the questioning, Patience," said Frederica; "you have taken this matter in hand, and you had best pull it through." "Very well," said Patience; "then I will make short work of it. It is this way, Jane. You know quite well that Harriet wants to be elected school-mother to Ralph. She wants to live here and to have all the advantages of the home Mr Durrant means to offer to the girl who is elected to the post. You know that at least, don't you?" Jane nodded her head. "So far, so good," said Patience. "You will please note on a piece of paper, Frederica, that Jane Bush admits that Harriet is anxious to be Ralph's school-mother." Frederica, seeing that the proceedings were to take such an orderly course, immediately approached the centre-table and wrote down Jane's reply on a piece of paper. "That is statement one," continued Patience. "Now statement two is this: another girl equally wishes for the post, and that girl is Robina Starling. You admit that also, don't you, Jane?" "Yes," said Jane. "Note it down, please, Frederica," said Patience. "Now, Jane," continued Patience, "we come to the really important part. For some extraordinary reason Robina, who is admirably suited to become Ralph's school-mother is likely--more than likely--to be worsted in this conflict by Harriet, who is not suitable at all. Now, there is not the slightest doubt in the minds of us five girls that there is foul play in this matter: yes, Jane, foul play. Is there foul play or is there not?" Jane grew scarlet and fidgetted in her chair. "Is there foul play?" repeated Patience. "I am not going to say," remarked Jane.