'But I cannot dismiss them. Don't you think it will be better, first
of all, to talk to Miss Hopgood? Perhaps we could do her some good.'

'Good! Now, do you think we can do any good to an atheist? Besides,
we have to consider our reputation. Whatever good we might do, it
would be believed that the infection remained.'

'We have no excuse for dismissing the other.'

'Excuse! none is needed, nor would any be justifiable. Excuses are
immoral. Say at once--of course politely and with regret--that the
school is established on a certain basis. It will be an advantage to
us if it is known why these girls do not remain. I will dictate the
letter, if you like.'

Miss Hannah Pratt had not received the education which had been given
to her younger sister, and therefore, was nominally subordinate, but
really she was chief. She considered it especially her duty not only
to look after the children's clothes, the servants and the accounts,
but to maintain TONE everywhere in the establishment, and to stiffen
her sister when necessary, and preserve in proper sharpness her
orthodoxy, both in theology and morals.

Accordingly, both the girls left, and both knew the reason for
leaving. The druggist's faith was sorely tried. If Miss Pratt's had
been a worldly seminary he would have thought nothing of such
behaviour, but he did not expect it from one of the faithful. The
next Sunday morning after he received the news, he stayed at home out
of his turn to make up any medicines which might be urgently