"She would be a talebearer. I should not like to have any friend of mine
carry tales, would you, Miss Elting?"

"No, Harriet, I would not. Much would depend upon circumstances though. I
fear such a case as you suggest must be one for the girl to decide for
herself."

"Would she be acting dishonorably if she did not tell what she had
learned?"

"Most decidedly not."

"And if she were asked about it by a guardian later on and refused to
answer, she still would not be acting unfairly to herself or her
superior?"

"Wait, wait. You hurl your questions at me so rapidly that you do not give
me time to think. As I have said before, you must be your own judge in
your own case."

"I did not say that it was my case."

"No, that is true. However, I do not believe that Harriet Burrell could do
a dishonorable act if she tried ever so hard," smiled Miss Elting. "Put
your head down here on my lap, Harriet, and be comfortable. Does any one
else know?"

Harriet shook her head that lay in Miss Elting's lap.

"Then let matters rest as they are for the present," replied the teacher.