"
"What do you mean?"
"If you went from St. Benet's now, people might be induced to think
that you really were guilty."
"But they think that now."
"I am quite certain that those students whose friendship is worth
retaining think nothing of the sort."
"Why are you certain?" asked Prissie, turning swiftly round and a
sudden ray of sunshine illuminating her whole face. "Do you think that
I am not a thief?"
"I am as certain of that fact as I am of my own identity."
"Oh!" said the girl with a gasp. She made a sudden dart forward, and
seizing Hammond's hand, squeezed it passionately between both her own.
"And Miss Oliphant does not think of you as a thief," continued
Hammond.
"I don't know-- I can't say."
"You have no right to be so unjust to her," he replied with fervor.
"I don't care so much for the opinion of the others now," said
Prissie; "you believe in me." She walked erect again; her footsteps
were light as if she trod on air. "You are a very good man," she said.
"I would do anything for you-- anything."
Hammond smiled. Her innocence, her enthusiasm, her childishness were
too apparent for him to take her words for more than they were worth.
"Do you know," he said after a pause, "that I am in a certain measure
entitled to help you? In the first place, Miss Oliphant takes a great
interest in you.
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