They were all desperately ashamed; each in her secret heart wished she had never entered into the conspiracy.
They had given the captaincy to Grace, and after all, they had no right to take away what they had freely given, and for no better reason than that Grace was loyal to a friend whom they distrusted.
It was a cruel thing that they had done.

They admitted it to each other now, and wished they had never listened to Miriam Nesbit.
Speaking of Miriam, who was to tell her that she had not supplanted Grace after all, as captain of the team.
"You are all cowards," exclaimed Marian Barber still buoyed up by her recent emotions, "I am not afraid of Miriam, or anyone else, and I'll undertake to tell her." But at the last moment she determined to break the news by letter.
In the meantime, Miss Thompson had quietly entered the locker-room, where Grace and her three chums were still standing.
"Grace," said the principal, "I was passing by and I could not help overhearing what has been said, and while I don't care to enter into the little private quarrels of my girls, I want to tell you that you made a noble defense of your position.

I am very proud of you, my child." Miss Thompson put her arms around the weeping girl and kissed her.

"I wish every girl in my school would make such a stand for her principles.

You were right not to have resigned.