The Principal flushed with annoyance.
"Girls, must I appeal to your honour?
Is that necessary at The Woodlands?
Have I actually one among you so lacking in moral courage that she dare not own up?
I repeat that she will meet with no reproof.
Nothing more will be said about the matter." Still no reply.

Each girl looked at her neighbour, but not even a whisper was to be heard.
"Girls, I am exceedingly pained.

Such a thing has never happened here before.

For the sake of the school, I make one last appeal to you.

Will nobody speak?
Then I shall be obliged to ask each of you in turn what she knows." It was a dreary business putting the same question to forty-eight girls, receiving one after another forty-eight decided negatives.