Good evening, Miss Oliphant; I am pleased to see you here. I shall
have a few questions to ask you in a minute. Now, Miss Singleton, if
you please, we will resume our conversation. You have confessed to the
fact of the auction. I wish now to ascertain what your motive was."
Poor Polly stammered and reddened, twisted her hands as badly as
Prissie herself could have done and looked to right and left of her in
the most bewildered and unhappy manner.
"Don't you hear me, Miss Singleton? I wish to know what your motive
was in having an auction in Katharine Hall," repeated Miss Eccleston.
"Tell her the truth," whispered Maggie.
Polly, who was in a condition to catch even at a straw for support,
said falteringly:
"I had the auction in my room because of dad."
Miss Eccleston raised her brows. The amused smile of sorrow round Miss
Heath's mouth became more marked. She came forward a few steps and
stood near Miss Eccleston.
"You must explain yourself, Miss Singleton," repeated the latter lady.
"Do tell everything," said Maggie again.
"Dad is about the only person I hate vexing," began Polly once more.
"He is awfully rich, but he hates me to get into debt, and-- and--
there was no other way to raise money. I couldn't tell dad-- I--
couldn't keep out of debt, so I had to sell my things.
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