“Thanks, mother,” answered Alice; “but if you were as Rich as Croesus, I should not wish, while I am a schoolgirl, to dress any better than I do.”

“You certainly have a great deal of sense, dear; but don’t be too hard on the little girl.  Ah! here she comes.  Now we must sit down to dinner at once.”

During dinner Kathleen’s eyes sparkled so brightly, and she looked so merry and mysterious, that both the boys gazed at her in wonder.

“Don’t mind me,” she said, whispering to David as she bent towards him.  “It’s in real downright delight I am.  I am expecting to have the most wonderful joy all the afternoon that was ever given a girl.  Ah, then, it’s illegant myself will be when you see me next, boys.  And do look at her!  I declare she’s getting crosser each minute.”

“Hush, Kathleen!” said David.  “You must not say unkind things.”

“Don’t trouble to reprove her, David,” called out Alice in a calm and lofty tone.  “I assure you she doesn’t annoy me in the least.  Sometimes I think there is a little gnat flying about and trying to sting me, but that’s all.”

“And a charming metaphor, too,” said Kathleen.

She ate her meal soberly, but occasionally a bubble of laughter came to the surface, and her merry eyes glanced from Mrs. Tennant’s face to Alice’s, and from Alice’s to those of the boys.  The moment the meal came to an end Kathleen jumped up.

“Now, then, my angels, you come with me,” she said, and she caught David by the one hand and Ben by the other, and led her willing slaves into the hall.

“Did you ever see anything like it?” said Alice to her mother.  “She will ruin the boys in addition to all her other mischief.  Mother, must we keep her long?  It is really most disturbing.”

“If you would only take poor little Kathleen as she is, you would find her quite agreeable, Alice,” was her mother’s answer.

“Oh dear, mother! you seem to be just as much infatuated as the others.  But never mind.  I am off now, and I need not be back in the house until it is time to dress to go to Mrs. Weldon’s.  I declare that girl is causing me to hate my home.  I don’t think its fair, whatever you may say to the contrary.”

Mrs. Tennant sighed.  Alice had always been a little difficult; she was more than difficult at the present moment.  But very soon afterwards the welcome bang of the hall door was heard, and the house was free.

“Now for a jolly time,” said Kathleen.  “Tired one, where are you?”

“Kathleen, you ought not to call me by that name.  You ought to be more respectful.”

“Arrah, then, darling, I can’t; ’tain’t in me.  I am so fond of you—­oh, worra, worra! there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you; but I must be as I’m made.  You do look tired, and tired you will go on looking until I take you to Carrigrohane to rest you and to feed you with good milk and good fruit and good eggs and good cream.—­Now then, boys, lift up that