"Miss Sherrard's," replied Alice shortly. Meanwhile Elma had slipped her hand gently through Matilda's arm, and looking up into the face of the taller girl, said in her most insinuating voice: "I do think, painful as it is, that we ought to take Miss Sherrard's side. Gwin is so enthusiastic, poor dear, and so is Bessie Challoner, that they are certain to be led away by their feelings. Now, Miss Sherrard is the most sympathetic and kindest of head-mistresses, she would not have given Kitty so severe a punishment without reason." "That is true," said Matilda. "Only, of course, you see, Elma, I don't want to go against Gwin. I am so terribly anxious to become her friend. I admire her so immensely. I don't think there's any other girl in the school to equal her." "I should think there isn't," said Elma with sudden warmth. "I am sorry she has taken Kitty Malone's part--poor Kitty! We certainly all think her charming; but if father were to hear of it!" "You would not like him to take you from the school now," said Elma, "just when you have such a good chance of the literature scholarship?" "I should think not; it would be a dreadful blow. But he would be--oh, I cannot tell you how shocked he would be!" "And he would be more shocked, would he not, if he heard that you had taken Kitty's part, and had signed the petition against Miss Sherrard?" "Of course, I never thought of that. I declare Elma, you are clever. I will mention what you say to Jessie, and tell her that she must go against the petition." Elma felt that she had won her point. There would be at least four girls against Gwin's motion, and probably others would follow their example. When the girls arrived at the house, they were shown immediately into Gwin's pretty private study. Gwin was standing by the open window. She had a book in her hand, but was not reading it. She was looking anxiously out. There was a perplexed expression on her fine face, and her large deep gray eyes were full of emotion. "I am so glad you have come," she said when she saw the girls. "I hope all the Tug-of-war girls will be present. The more I think of this affair the more certain I am that it will be the ruin of Kitty Malone." Elma looked sympathizingly at her friend, Alice frowned, Matilda and Jessie did not know where to look, nor what to say. If they had not met Alice and Elma they would have certainly gone heart and soul with Gwin in the matter. "Sit down, won't you, girls?" said Gwin. "Tea will be ready in a moment--are you not thirsty?" "Yes, it's a very hot day," said Jessie, somewhat timidly. "And you had a long walk; but it was really kind of you to come. We won't do anything until some more of the Tug-of-war Society arrive. But perhaps my letters have not reached the others." "Oh, I know the Hodgsons are coming," said Matilda Forbes, "because I met them." "I am glad of that. Ah, and here is Bessie."