I know that most people feel quite sure that she really did carry those letters, and then wouldn't own up, but told stories about it, and Aunt Pike has never been nice to her since, and Lady Kitson scarcely speaks to her, and Miss Richards doesn't speak at all, and--and that mean Anna won't clear her, and--" "Well, Elizabeth, I have come to hear your explanations and apologies for your shocking attack on Anna." "It was Anna who attacked me," said Betty.

"It was only when she called me a pry and a spy that I--that I--" "Hurled all sorts of wicked accusations at her.

Oh, I heard you.
You said the most shocking and untrue things in your passion." "I didn't say a word that wasn't true," said Betty firmly, "and--and Anna knows it.

Anna could have cleared Kitty, but she wouldn't, and I am not going to let Kitty bear the blame for her and Lettice any longer; and if they won't clear her, I will.

Anna called me a sneak, and I said she was mean and bad, and I meant it; and so she is, to let Kitty go on bearing the blame and the disgrace all her life because she is too honourable to tell how mean they are." "Did you say that Anna knew who went to Lettice with that letter that night, and that--it wasn't Kafcherine ?" asked Aunt Pike, but so quietly and strangely that Betty was really quite frightened by her curious voice and manner.
"Oh, I wish I had not told," was the thought that rushed through her mind, while her cheeks grew hot with nervousness.