"She wouldn't dream of saying I was there if I wasn't." "But your father, or your aunt--" "They were both out," said Kitty.

"Anna saw me go to the schoolroom, and saw me begin my lessons, and I never moved until father came to me." So Anna was called.
"Can you support your cousin's statement that she was in the schoolroom all the evening, and never once left it ?" Anna was about to say "yes," when she hesitated, and grew very red and confused.

"I--I couldn't say," she stammered, and those listening thought she was embarrassed by her desire to shield Kitty, and at the same time tell the truth.

Kitty looked at her with wide, horrified eyes.

Surely Anna would say why she could not give the required assurance.