“Miss Savell,” said the principal quietly, although her flashing eyes and set lips showed that she was very angry, “if you have that paper in your possession, bring it to me at once, and never answer me again as you did just now.  You are both disrespectful and impertinent.”

But Miss Thompson’s anger toward Eleanor was nothing compared with the tempest that the principal had aroused in Eleanor.  The latter flushed, then turned perfectly white with rage.  Still standing, she reached down, picked up a book from her desk and took from it a paper.  “This,” she said, in a low tense voice, “is the paper you wish to see.  I do not choose to let you see it, therefore I shall destroy it.”

[Illustration:  “I Do Not Choose to Let You See This Paper.”]

Then she deliberately tore the offending paper into shreds and scattered them broadcast.

“I hope you understand that I am not afraid of you or any other teacher in this school,” she continued.  “I have never been punished in my life, therefore I am not liable to give you the first opportunity.  I despise you, because you are a ridiculous prig, and I am glad of an opportunity to tell you so.  As for the persons who told you about our plan, words cannot express my contempt for them, and right here I accuse Grace Harlowe and her sorority of getting the information from Mabel Allison yesterday and carrying it to you.  They are all tale-bearers and sneaks.”

With these words, Eleanor angrily flung the book she held on the desk and walked down the aisle toward the door, but Miss Thompson barred her way.

“Stop, Miss Savell,” she commanded.  “You shall not leave this room until you have apologized to the girls whom you have unjustly accused and to me.  I will not tolerate such behavior.”

Eleanor glared at the principal, whose face was rigid in its purpose, then sank into the nearest vacant seat, saying defiantly:  “You may keep me here all night if you like, but, I meant what I said, and I shall retract nothing.”

Nevertheless she did not again attempt to leave the room.  She had met with a will stronger than her own and she realized it.

Ignoring Eleanor’s final remark, Miss Thompson once more turned her attention to the matter in hand.

“Those girls who are not in any way implicated in this matter are dismissed,” she said.

About one third of the girls arose and prepared to leave the study hall, the Phi Sigma Tau being among the number.  Grace motioned the girls to hurry.  She wished to leave the room with her friends before Miss Thompson noticed them.  She knew the principal would insist on an apology from Eleanor, and neither she nor her friends wished it.  For the first time since Eleanor had chosen to cut their acquaintance Grace was thoroughly angry with her.  She could not forgive Eleanor for having accused her and her friends of carrying tales before almost the entire school; therefore a forced apology would not appease her wounded pride.  She drew a breath of relief when the eight girls were safely outside the study hall door.