'If there is no other reason, I cannot think that that can be held to be
a reason now. Of course your mother would like to have you always;
unless you should be married--but then there are reasons why this should
not be so.'

'Of course there are.'

'I do not think--that is, if I know all that there is to be known--I do
not think, I say, that there can be any good ground for your leaving us
now--just now.'

Then Grace sat silent for a moment, gathering her courage, and
collecting her words; and after that she spoke. 'It is because of papa,
and because of this charge--'

'But, Grace--'

'I know what you are going to say, Miss Prettyman;--that is, I think I
know.'

'If you hear me, you may be sure that you know.'

'But I want you to hear me for one moment first. I beg your pardon,
Miss Prettyman; I do indeed, but I want to say this before you go on. I
must go home, and I know I ought. We are all disgraced, and I won't stop
here to disgrace the school. I know papa has done nothing wrong; but
nevertheless we are disgraced. The police are to bring him in here on
Thursday, and everybody in Silverbridge will know it. It cannot be right
that I should be here teaching in the school, while it is all going