who did not understand the exact reason, Elinor's treatment of Sylvia,
for Miss Patten's demand.

The teacher did not respond, and Elinor did not speak. Then after a
moment Miss Patten said, "Take your seat, Elinor. I shall make this
request of you again at the beginning of the afternoon session. If you
do not comply with it you will no longer be received as a pupil in this
school."




CHAPTER VI

SYLVIA AT THE PLANTATION


When the afternoon session opened Elinor Mayhew was not in her usual
place. Grace and Flora had been told by the other girls what had
happened on the day of Sylvia's disappearance from school. May Bailey
had declared that Sylvia must have "run straight to the teacher," and
that she was a telltale as well as a "Yankee." Grace had defended her
friend warmly.

"I don't know how Miss Rosalie found out, but I'm sure Sylvia did not
tell," she declared.

Flora was unusually quiet. There were many scornful looks sent in
Sylvia's direction that afternoon, which Miss Patten noticed and easily
understood. Before school was dismissed she said that she had a brief