Part 15 (1/2)

Kitch.e.l.l stride up and down, up and down, never for an instant removing his keen eyes from the cla.s.s before him?

In the daily intercourse with her parents, she had asked questions freely.

She did now as she would have done with them. As Dr. Kitch.e.l.l pa.s.sed her desk, she spoke to him:

”I could not help hearing what Miss Brosius said to you about leaving the room, and wondered what she meant.”

”It is impossible for me to see all the students. Unfortunately, I do not have eyes in the back of my head.”

Elizabeth met his glance with a look of surprise.

Dr. Kitch.e.l.l then spoke more plainly. ”I am quite determined there shall be no cheating in my cla.s.ses. My students will pa.s.s on their own merits--or not at all.”

”And Miss Brosius then--” she paused, not feeling confident enough of the situation to put her feelings into words.

”Miss Brosius is here to a.s.sist me, and to see there is no copying, no cheating done in the cla.s.s.”

Now Dr. Kitch.e.l.l was an excellent man, an able instructor, but he had a blunt way of expressing himself. Elizabeth's face flushed and then grew pale. For one instant her lips quivered and her eyes filled. But she quickly controlled herself, and began putting together her papers.

Arising, she was about to quit the room.

”Have you finished, Miss Hobart?”

”No, I have not.” Elizabeth spoke quietly. One could have no suspicion of the fire that lay smoldering beneath.

”Finish and hand me the papers before you leave the room. That has always been the rule at Exeter.”

”I do not intend to finish, or to hand in my papers.” Although she spoke quietly, her voice was heard over the cla.s.s-room. Each student paused with uplifted pencil in her hand. For the most part, Dr. Kitch.e.l.l was feared.

Few would have dared oppose him.

”And why not, may I ask?”

”Because I will not stay and take an examination where we are treated as though we were criminals. Having a watch set upon us is an insult to every honest student in the cla.s.s. Until I have proved myself to be either a liar or a thief, I insist upon being treated with respect. That is why I will not stay to take an examination under police supervision.”

Dr. Kitch.e.l.l was a big man. Elizabeth looked so childish and little as she stood before him that he could not suppress a smile. He rather admired the s.p.u.n.ky little lady who dared to express her opinion so freely. Yet discipline must be maintained. ”You will report to Dr. Morgan,” he replied.

”I certainly shall,” was the rejoinder, as she quitted the room.

In this whirl of indignation and hurt pride, she entered her room and found Mary there.

”I was coming for you, Elizabeth,” she said. ”Here's a telegram for you.”

She held out the yellow envelope. ”I hope there is nothing serious the matter.”

Elizabeth tore it open before Mary finished speaking, and read it quickly.

”It's from father,” she said. ”I do not understand it.” She handed the paper to Mary. ”You know I was to start for home Sat.u.r.day morning.”

Mary read it aloud: