is, we hope-- that is, I hope"-- and now Tom looked a bit confused--
"we'll be married before a great while. I have been told about the
diamond ring that is missing, and I know all about how you have
treated Nellie. I don't like it at all. I think you are doing her a
great injustice."

"Oh!" The teacher paused abruptly and bit her lip. She glanced from
Tom to Nellie and then to the others who were in the office. "I-- I
have not accused Miss Laning of anything," she went on, rather lamely.

"Perhaps not in so many words. But you have acted as if you felt
certain she was guilty. Now, that isn't fair. She wouldn't touch
anything that wasn't her own. It's a terrible thing to cast suspicion
on any one. What would you say if I were to intimate you had taken the
four-hundred-dollar ring?"

"Sir!" and now the teacher's face grew red. "Do you mean to insult
me?"

"Not at all. But I mean to stand up for Miss Laning first, last, and
all the time," replied Tom, earnestly. "I think it is an outrage to
even suspect her."

For a few seconds there was an intense silence, broken only by a
certain nervous movement among the others in the office. Miss Harrow
bit her lip again.

"I-- I am sorry if I have done Miss Laning an injustice," she said,
slowly. "But the diamond ring is gone, and if the ring is not
recovered, I may be held responsible for it."