CHAPTER XIV

THE SECRET


It took but a short time for Mr. MacAllister to explain everything
satisfactorily to Miss Ellis and her pupils. He was a gentleman any
daughter might well be proud of, and, indeed, Alice showed a pardonable
pride as he stood there smiling and assuring the teacher that, as
president of the Selectmen of Dalton, he would promise a holiday to the
class that would make up in every way for the disappointment of the
morning.

When the visitor had departed, Miss Ellis announced she would carry out
the intended program as far as a half session was concerned, but, as it
was too late to go on the picnic then the pupils might go home and enjoy
themselves as they wished.

Tavia and Alice were now regarded as heroines. To think they had really
been in the court, and that they had been witnesses to--"a fight," as
Tavia declared Squire Sanders' attack on Ralph was "nothing more nor
less than a common roll around fight."

Finally the picnic lunches were disposed of, and Tavia took Dorothy's
arm as they walked homeward--she had much to tell Dorothy and knew that
no girl would interrupt such apparent confidence as "arm in arm"
indicated.

"And what do you think Mr. MacAllister said?" began Tavia. "That old