"They go to bed, you know, Lavinia, apparently just as usual, and then they slip away from their rooms. Oh, you needn't think, dear, that I go to bed on those nights. Not I! I wait about, just hovering near, to be certain that there is no real mischief; and when they are snug in their beds, then I retire." "You, dear little, patient Jessie! You have tried to act the guardian angel; but the post is too much for you, dear. To-night I, Lavinia Peacock, will take your place." "Oh, Lavinia, they would be so frightened--so terrified--if they saw you!" "It is your impression that there is going to be a very special feast to-night?" "I did think so, but I am not so sure now. Some provisions were got in, but for the last two or three days all has been quiet." "Well, dear, to-night I will mount guard. Say nothing to anyone." Jessie soon afterwards left Miss Peacock's presence. She felt so upset, so terrified, at what she considered her betrayal of her darling girl that she had to retire to her own room, and did not even appear at tea time. The girls, however, were all too excited to notice her absence. Christian was the heroine of the hour. Next to Christian, Rose took the highest place. Wasn't she pretty? And wasn't she stanch and true and faithful? And wasn't the adventure itself quite a grand sort of affair? And wasn't Christian really brave? "To think that I should ever have doubted her bravery!" thought Star. As Star thought in a very penitent way of her own conduct in the past, a hand was put on her arm, and looking up, she saw Maud Thompson by her side. "Star, I do wish you'd come and speak to her. She's in the bowling-alley, and she's crying just like anything. She wouldn't come in to tea. She says she hates everyone in the place." "Do you mean Susan?" asked Star. "Yes--oh, yes! Do come to her! I think she respects you if she respects anyone." Star thought for a minute. The rain was still pouring. To get to the bowling-alley she had to run down a sidewalk which was dripping with moisture. Turning her skirt over her head, she ran quickly, followed by Maud. Susan was standing where an eave from a neighboring tool-house slightly protected her. Her handkerchief was pressed to her eyes; she was bending forward. As Star drew near she heard her very audible sobs. "Are you sorry, Susan?" said Star. "I sorry? No. Go away; don't torture me." "Oh, Susan! I said I would bring her, and you said you'd listen to her. Here's the key of the tool-house. Let's open it and go in. We must say something to comfort you, Susan. I am an awfully bad girl, but I am sorry for you." "No one is sorry for me," said Susan. "Oh, yes, someone is. I am, and so is Star." "If she is going to repent, I'll try and be sorry," said Star. "Are you going to repent, Susan?" "No, I can't--I won't. There's nothing to be done. I must go to those girls to-night, and you must come with me. I am crying so because everyone has forsaken me, for Maud doesn't wish to come."