her? We go the same way."

"Not to-night, dear; no, not to-night. Ida Starr is in disgrace. She
will not go home just yet. Run away, now, there's a good girl."

Sadly, sadly was the command obeyed, and very slowly did Maud
Enderby walk along the streets homeward, ever turning back to see
whether perchance Ida might not be behind her.

Miss Rutherford ascended to her sitting-room. The culprit was
standing in a corner with her face to the wall.

"Why do you stand so?" asked the teacher gravely, but not very
severely.

"I thought you'd want me to, Miss Rutherford."

"Come here to me, child."

Ida had clearly been crying for a long time, and there was still
blood on her face. She seemed to have made up her mind that the
punishment awaiting her must be dreadful, and she resolved to bear
it humbly. She came up, still holding her hands behind her, and
stood with downcast eyes. The hair which hung down over her
shoulders was dark brown, her eye-brows strongly marked, the eyes
themselves rather deep-set. She wore a pretty plum-coloured dress,
with a dainty little apron in front; her whole appearance bespeaking
a certain taste and love of elegance in the person who had the care
of her.