Cordelia Running Bird heard the fierce discussion through the open door,near which she knelt at work, and the bitter tears ran down her face.

When at length her work was done as well as she was able, and the laststair wiped, she went back upstairs on tiptoe to inspect her floor andsee if it was dry. She was met by Jane Straight Tree on the upperlanding, carrying a pail of scrub water, mixed with ashes, from thedormitory. Jane set it on the top stair, and then glanced wickedly atCordelia through half-closed eyes that meant mischief.