Prissie had set up a higher standard than theirs,
and they were determined to crush the little aspirant for moral
courage. If in crushing Prissie they could also bring discredit upon
Miss Oliphant, their sense of victory would have been intensified; but
it was one thing for these conspirators to plot and plan and another
thing for them to perform. It is possible that in school life they
might have found this easier; opportunities might have arisen for
them, with mistresses to be obeyed, punishments to be dreaded, rewards
to be won. At St. Benet's there was no one especially to be obeyed,
and neither rewards nor punishments entered into the lives of the
girls.
Maggie Oliphant did not care in the least what girls like Miss Day or
Miss Marsh said or thought about her, and Priscilla, who was very
happy and industrious just now, heard many innuendoes and sly little
speeches without taking in their meaning.
Still, the conspirators did not despair. The term before Christmas was
in some ways rather a dull one, and they were glad of any excitement
to break the monotony. As difficulties increased their ardor also
deepened, and they were resolved not to leave a stone unturned to
effect their object. Where there is a will there is a way.
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