They had heard, of course, of the accident, but how it had happened, and what had become of Tavia, whether she run away or been arrested—­these and many similar queries kept the excited scholars buzzing about Dorothy like bees about a hive.

“I do not know how it happened,” she insisted, “I wish I did.  We found her under the tree, and helped her home.  That is all I know about it.”

The class took its place.  Miss Ellis began to speak but was surprised at that moment to see old Squire Sanders enter the room.

“Oh, oh, he’s after Tavia!” whispered May Egner to Dorothy.  “I’m glad she is not here.”

“Take your seats, young ladies,” Miss Ellis directed the class, and then the squire assuming his business attitude, that of holding his black-thorn cane well out in front of his left foot, which member in turn was in advance of its mate, and planting the cane down firmly twice, he began: 

“I’ve come here to investigate a complaint” and he rapped his stick noisily on the floor.  “Where’s the girl who threw Sarah Ford from the swing, and broke her ankle?”

“Why,” stammered Miss Ellis, “I have not heard of any such occurrence.  Does any young lady here know anything of it?”

Dorothy was on her feet instantly.  Her flushed face betrayed the emotion she tried bravely to hide, but when she spoke her voice rang with truth and confidence.

“Sarah Ford was not thrown from the swing,” she began.  “We found her suffering under the tree in the orchard.  When the bell rang this morning she was on the swing, and I was the last girl to enter the hall.  I saw her on the swing then.”

A pin, dropped, might have been heard in the room.  It was so like a trial to have Dorothy there “giving testimony.”

“Well, that ain’t the story I have,” drawled the squire.  “Where’s that wild harum-scarum Tavia Travers?  She’s the one that’s blamed.”

“Tavia Travers!” called the astonished Miss Ellis, but of course there came no answer.

“Absent!” answered a girl from the back row.

“Can you tell us where she is?” Miss Ellis asked Dorothy.

“At home I believe,” answered Dorothy simply.

“Well, this matter must be fully investigated,” declared the squire, “thoroughly and fully investigated.  Girls or boys who cut up tricks must be punished.  Dalton will not stand any nonsense when it comes to life and limb,” and again the cane thumped the floor.  “I propose, as squire of the borough, to run this thing down to the very end.  School girls now-a-days put on too many airs—­copyin’ after college rowdies with their pranks!”

While the teacher and squire were talking in the hall the pupils took advantage of the opportunity to express their opinions of the case, and what were meant to be whispered remarks soon reached a pitch of voice that called for remonstrance from the squire; and he rapped his cane vigorously on the door.  This had the effect of restoring order, and also of bringing punishment upon the entire class for the remainder of the afternoon.