“You’ll stand up for me, won’t you, Miss Oliphant?” whispered Polly.

Maggie raised her eyes, looked at the girl, who was even taller than herself, and began to reply in her usual voice.

“Silence,” said Miss Eccleston.  She put down her note-book.  “I wish for no conversation between you at the present moment, young ladies.  Good evening, Miss Oliphant; I am pleased to see you here.  I shall have a few questions to ask you in a minute.  Now, Miss Singleton, if you please, we will resume our conversation.  You have confessed to the fact of the auction.  I wish now to ascertain what your motive was.”

Poor Polly stammered and reddened, twisted her hands as badly as Prissie herself could have done and looked to right and left of her in the most bewildered and unhappy manner.

“Don’t you hear me, Miss Singleton?  I wish to know what your motive was in having an auction in Katharine Hall,” repeated Miss Eccleston.

“Tell her the truth,” whispered Maggie.

Polly, who was in a condition to catch even at a straw for support, said falteringly: 

“I had the auction in my room because of dad.”

Miss Eccleston raised her brows.  The amused smile of sorrow round Miss Heath’s mouth became more marked.  She came forward a few steps and stood near Miss Eccleston.

“You must explain yourself, Miss Singleton,” repeated the latter lady.

“Do tell everything,” said Maggie again.

“Dad is about the only person I hate vexing,” began Polly once more.  “He is awfully rich, but he hates me to get into debt, and—­ and—­ there was no other way to raise money.  I couldn’t tell dad—­ I—­ couldn’t keep out of debt, so I had to sell my things.”

“You have made a very lame excuse, Miss Singleton,” said Miss Eccleston after a pause.  “You did something which was extremely irregular and improper.  Your reason for doing it was even worse than the thing itself.  You were in debt.  The students of St. Benet’s are not expected to be in debt.”

“But there’s no rule against it,” suddenly interrupted Maggie.

“Hush! your turn to speak will come presently.  You know, Miss Singleton—­ all the right-minded girls in this college know—­ that we deal in principles, not rules.  Now, please go on with your story.”

Polly’s broken and confused narrative continued for the next five minutes.  There were some titters from the girls behind her—­ even Miss Heath smiled faintly.  Miss Eccleston alone remained grave and displeased.

“That will do,” she said at last.  “You are a silly and rash girl, and your only possible defense is your desire to keep the knowledge of your extravagance from your father.  Your love for him, however, has never taught you true nobility.  Had you that even in the most shadowy degree, you would abstain from the things which he detests.  He gives you an ample allowance.  Were you a schoolgirl and I your mistress, I should punish you severely for your conduct.”