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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/9986-8.txt b/9986-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a44951a --- /dev/null +++ b/9986-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,10672 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Wild Kitty, by L. T. Meade + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Wild Kitty + +Author: L. T. Meade + +Posting Date: November 12, 2011 [EBook #9986] +Release Date: February, 2006 +First Posted: November 5, 2003 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WILD KITTY *** + + + + +Produced by Kevin Handy, Dave Maddock, and the Project +Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + + + + + + + + + +WILD KITTY. + +BY L. T. MEADE + + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER I. Bessie, Alice, Gwin, and Elma + +CHAPTER II. The Blarney Stone + +CHAPTER III. Is that the Girl? + +CHAPTER IV. Tiffs all Round + +CHAPTER V. Incorrigible Kitty + +CHAPTER VI. The Tug-of-War + +CHAPTER VII. Elma + +CHAPTER VIII. The Little House in Constantine Road + +CHAPTER IX. The Head Mistress and the Cabbage-Rose + +CHAPTER X. Paddy Wheel-About + +CHAPTER XI. In Carrie's Bedroom + +CHAPTER XII. The "Spotted Leopard" + +CHAPTER XIII. Coventry + +CHAPTER XIV. The Lost Packet + +CHAPTER XV. Gwin Harley's Scheme + +CHAPTER XVI. Paddy Wheel-About's Old Coat + +CHAPTER XVII. "We Are Both in the Same Boat" + +CHAPTER XVIII. "I Cannot Help You" + +CHAPTER XIX. Kitty Tells the Truth + +CHAPTER XX. An Eye-Opener + +CHAPTER XXI. The Lady from Buckinghamshire + +CHAPTER XXII. Stunned and Cold + +CHAPTER XXIII. Stars and Moon, and God Behind + +CHAPTER XXIV. Sunshine Again + +CHAPTER XXV. Kitty "Go-Bragh" (Forever) + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +BESSIE, ALICE, GWIN, ELMA. + + +Bessie! Bessie! + +"Yes, mother," replied Bessie Challoner. "You'll be late for school, +child, if you are not quick." + +"Bessie!" shouted her father at the top of his voice from below stairs. +"Bessie; late as usual." + +"I am really going, father; I am just ready," was the eager reply. +Bessie caught up her sailor hat, shoved it carelessly over her mass of +thick hair, and searched frantically round her untidy bedroom for the +string bag which contained her schoolbooks. + +"Oh, Bessie, you'll get into a scrape," said Judy, one of her younger +sisters, dancing into the room. "Why, you are late. I hear the +schoolbell ringing; it will stop in a moment." + +"Don't worry me, Judy," cried Bessie. "Do you know where my bag is?" + +Judy ran into the middle of the room, turned round, and began to laugh +ecstatically. "Do you know where it is, you little good-for-nothing? +Have you put it hiding?" + +"Yes, yes, yes," screamed the child, jumping up and down in her joy. + +"Then, if you don't give it to me at once, I'll--" + +But Judy had dodged her and was out of the room. Up to the attic flew +the child, and after her dashed Bessie. The bag was found in the corner +of the linen-cupboard. Bessie aimed a frenzied blow at Judy, who once +again dodged her, then the schoolgirl ran downstairs and was out of the +house. + +"Bessie, for shame!" said her brother, who was standing smoking his +cigarette in a very lazy manner in the garden. "Why, you'll never get +full marks." + +"Don't," said Bessie. "I feel quite hunted between you all." + +She had got on the highroad now, and could walk away in peace. She was a +tall girl, somewhat bony-looking at present, with a face which showed +abundance of intellect, large dreamy eyes, a wide mouth, a flat nose, a +long chin. Bessie was certainly not at all a pretty girl; but, +notwithstanding this fact, there were few of all the pupils at Middleton +School who approached her in popularity. She was clever without being a +scrap conceited, and was extremely good-natured, doing her work for the +pleasure of doing it and not because she wanted to outstrip a +schoolfellow. She was conscientious too, and would have scorned to do a +mean or shabby thing; but she was hopelessly untidy, careless to a +fault, late for school half her days, getting into countless scrapes and +getting out of them as best she could--the butt of her class as well as +the favorite, always true to herself and indifferent to the censures or +the praise of her fellow-creatures. + +"Well, Bess, is that you? Do wait for me," called out a panting voice +in the distance. + +Late as she was, Bessie stopped. It was never her way to leave a +fellow-creature in the lurch. + +A girl with dancing eyes and rosy cheeks came panting and puffing round +the corner. + +"I just caught a sight of the red ribbon with which you tie your hair," +she said. "I am so glad you are late; I am too, and I am quite ashamed +of myself." + +"Why in the world should you be ashamed of yourself, Alice?" asked +Bessie. "I don't suppose you meant to be late." + +"Of course not; but I shall lose my mark for punctuality; and you know, +Bessie, I am feverishly anxious to get a move, and to--to win the +scholarship at the midsummer break-up." + +Bessie yawned slightly. + +"Come on, Alice," she said; "I am disgracefully late as usual, and we +need not make matters worse. I suppose we must wait in the hall now +until prayers are over." + +"It's too bad," said Alice. "I'll tell you afterward how it happened, +Bessie. I am glad you waited for me. They always scold you so much for +being late that they will not take so much notice of me. May I slip into +my place in form behind you?" + +"If you like," said, Bessie. + +They entered the great schoolhouse, turned down a long corridor, +deposited their hats and jackets on the pegs provided for the purpose, +and went into the schoolroom just when the pupils were filing into their +different classes. + +Both girls had marks against their names for unpunctuality. Alice +frowned and fidgeted, turned scarlet, glanced nervously at her +fellow-pupils, but Bessie took the matter with her wonted calm. Soon she +forgot all about it. She became absorbed in her different studies, each +one of which she had prepared with extreme attention. As she answered +question after question her great, full, dreamy eyes seemed to lighten +with hidden fire, her face lost its plainness, the intellect in it +transformed it. One or two other girls in the class watched her with a +slight degree of envy. + +Bessie was very high up in the school. As usual she quickly rose to the +head of the form; this position she kept without the slightest +difficulty during lesson after lesson. + +Alice, muddled already by that mark for unpunctuality, got through her +work badly; as Bessie rose in the class Alice went down. At the end of +the morning's work the two girls were far as the poles asunder. + +"I can't think how you do it," said Alice, coming up to Bessie during +recess, and linking her hand through her arm. "You never seem to mind +disgrace at all." + +"Of course I mind disgrace," answered Bessie. "Come out into the +playground, won't you Alice? We can't talk in here." + +They went out and began pacing up and down the wide quadrangle devoted +to the purpose. Other girls passed them two and two, each girl talking +to her special companion. + +"How very handsome Gwin Harley looks this morning," said Alice, pausing +in her grumbling to gaze at a slender and lovely girl who passed them, +walking with another dark-eyed, somewhat plain girl of the name of Elma +Lewis. + +"I wish she was not such friends with Elma," said Bessie. "I like Gwin +very much indeed; I suppose every one in the school does." + +"Catch Elma not making up to her," said Alice. "Why, you know Gwin is as +rich as ever she can be; she has a pony-carriage of her own. I cannot +make out why she comes to Middleton School." + +"Because it is the best school in the neighborhood," said Bessie +somewhat proudly. "It is not a question of money, nor of anything but +simply of learning; we learn better at Middleton School than anywhere +else; there are better teachers and--" + +"But such a rum lot of girls," said Alice. "Of course we all go in sets, +and our set is quite the nicest in the school; but all the same, I +wonder a rich man like Mr. Harley allows Gwin to come here." + +Gwin and Elma drew up at that moment in front of the other two. + +"Bessie," said Gwin, "I saw you carrying everything before you this +morning. But," she added hastily, "that is neither here nor there. I +shall never be a great learned genius like you, but I shall admire +geniuses all the same. Now, I want to say that Elma is coming to tea +with me this afternoon, and will you both come as well? We have a good +deal to talk over." + +Bessie's face lightened. + +"I should like it very much indeed," she said; "but you know I must get +through my studies first." + +"Oh, you won't take long over them." + +"Yes, but I shall," answered Bessie; "there is a very stiff piece of +German to translate this afternoon. I can manage French and mathematics +of course, and--" + +"Oh, don't begin to rehearse your different studies," said Gwin, holding +up her hand in a warning attitude. "I don't care in the least what you +learn, Bessie; I want you to come. Because," she added, "you are such an +honest creature." + +"Why should not I be honest?" said Bessie, opening her eyes wide. "I +have never had any temptation to be anything else." + +"My dear Bessie, you are too painfully matter-of-fact," said Elma. "Gwin +meant that your nature is transparent--it is a beautiful trait in any +character." + +"Well, Bessie, will you come or will you not?" interrupted Gwin. + +"Yes, I'll come. I'll manage it somehow," said Bessie. I can't resist +the temptation." + +"And you too, Alice?" said Gwin, turning to Alice Denvers, who was +watching Bessie with envious eyes. + +"I don't suppose mother will let me. I am ever so vexed," said Alice. + +"But why not, dear; you have nothing special to do to-day?" + +"Well, I had a bad mark for unpunctuality, and--" + +"What does that signify?" + +"But listen; I have gone down several places in class. Father and mother +are so particular; they seem to think my whole future life depends upon +my position in school. Of course I know we are not very rich, like +you--" Here she flushed and hesitated. + +Gwin Harley flushed also. + +"When you talk like that," she said, "I feel quite ashamed of being well +off. I often long to be poor like--like dear little Elma here." As she +spoke she patted her somewhat squat little companion on her arm. "But +never mind, girls; I am not one of those who intend to throw away all my +money; that is one reason why I want to have a good talk this afternoon. +You must come, Alice; you simply must." + +"But there is another reason," said Alice. "Kitty Malone is coming +to-day." + +"Kitty Malone! Who in the name of fortune is she?" + +"Oh, a wild Irish girl." + +"Truly wild, I should think, with that name. 'Kitty Malone, ohone!' I +seem to hear the refrain somewhere now. Isn't there a song called 'Kitty +Malone'?" + +"There is a song called 'The Widow Malone,'" said Bessie; "don't you +know it? You read all about it in 'Harry Lorrequer.'" + +"But who is Kitty Malone, Alice?" + +"I say a wild Irish girl." + +"And what has she got to do with you?" + +"She is coming to board with us. She is going to join the school, and +mother is to have the charge of her. A precious bore I shall find it." + +"When did you say she was coming?" asked Gwin eagerly. + +"I expect she is at home by now; she was to arrive this morning." + +"Delightful!" said Gwin, clapping her hands, "she shall come too. I want +beyond anything to become acquainted with a real aborigine, and of +course any girl called Kitty Malone hailing from the sister-isle must +belong to that species. Bring the wild Irish girl with you by all means, +Alice; and now, as you have no manner of excuse, I'll say ta-ta for the +present." She kissed her pretty hand lightly to the two girls, and went +on her way, once more accompanied by her faithful satellite, Elma. + +"Isn't she fascinating?" said Alice; "aren't you quite in love with her, +Bessie?" + +"Dear me, no," answered Bessie Challoner. "I never fall in love in that +sort of headlong fashion; but all the same," she added, "I admire Gwin +very much, only I do wish she would not take up with Elma." + +"So do I," said Alice. + +"It was very kind of her to ask us," continued Bessie, "and I for one +shall be delighted to go. I have not the least doubt that in a big house +of that sort they have 'Household Encyclopędia,' and I want to look up +the article on magnetic iron ore." + +"Oh, what in the world for?" cried Alice. + +"I am interested in magnets, and--but there, Alice why should I worry +you with the sort of things that delight me. I am going, and that is all +right. You will be sure to come too; won't you Alice?" + +"Yes, I must manage it somehow; and as Gwin has asked Kitty Malone it +won't make it quite so difficult. I know mother would not let me leave +Kitty this afternoon, for it is, from the money point of view, a great +thing for us her coming. Her people are quite well off, although they +are Irish. They live in an old castle on the coast of Donegal, and Kitty +has never been out of the country in which she was born. They are paying +mother very well to receive her, and mother is ever so pleased. Of +course it's horrid for me for she will be my companion morning, noon, +and night; we are even to sleep in the same room. It was that that made +me late for school this morning, and got me that horrid, horrid mark for +unpunctuality." + +"But why? I don't understand," said Bessie. + +"Well, you see, I put it off until the last minute. I know it was all my +fault; but I would not empty the cupboard in the corner of the room, +although mother told me to do so at intervals for the past week. Well, +mother came in this morning and found it choke full--you know the sort +of thing, full to bursting, so that the door wouldn't shut--and she said +that I should empty it before I went to school. I told her I should be +late, and mother said it was a just punishment for me. Didn't I bless +Kitty Malone! But of course I set to work, and I scrambled out the +things somehow. Of course I am in hot water, and father is so terribly +particular; but I will try and come. Yes, I'll try and come, and I'll +bring Kitty." + +"Very well; if you are going we may as well go together," said Bessie. +"Gwin never mentioned the hour she had tea; but I suppose if we are at +Harley Grove by five o'clock it will do." + +"Yes, I should think so," said Alice in a dubious voice. "It is a pity +she did not mention the hour. There she is still hobnobbing with Elma. +I'll just run across the quadrangle and ask her." + +Alice left her companion, obtained the necessary information from Gwin, +and came back again. "She says if we are with her sharp at five it will +do quite well, and we are to stay until nine o'clock, then we can all go +home together." + +"Delicious!" said Bessie. "I love being out late. I hope there will be a +moon, and that there won't be many clouds in the sky, for I want to +examine the position of some of the planets. Did I tell you, Alice, that +Uncle John has a telescope through which I can see the asteroids?" + +"What on earth are they?" cried Alice, yawning as she spoke. + +"Oh, the very small planets." + +"Then, my dear, I hope you will see them. But really, Bessie, I can't +run round nature as you do--your intellect is quite overpowering; one +moment you want to get up information with regard to magnetic iron ore, +and the next you confound me with some awful observation about +asteroids. Good-by, Bessie; good-by. I shall be late for dinner, and +then no chance of going to the fair Gwin's this afternoon." + +"Well, if you do go, call for me," shouted Bessie after her; "I'll wait +for you until half-past four, then I'll start off by myself." + +"Yes, yes, I'll come if I can, and bring Kitty also if I can." + +"Be sure you don't fail. I'll look out for you." + +Alice put wings to her feet and set off running down the dusty road, and +Bessie more soberly returned home. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +THE BLARNEY STONE. + + +Alice's home was nearly half a mile from the school. It was a big, +commonplace suburban house standing at a corner. It had a small garden +in front and a larger one at the back; but neither at front nor back +were the gardens tidily kept. They were downtrodden by the constant +pressure of many feet, and were further ornamented at intervals by sheds +and kennels, for Fred and Philip Denvers were devoted to all sorts of +pets; there was also a rabbit-run at one end, and a little railed-off +place where Mrs. Denvers tried to keep fowls. + +Alice at intervals had sighed for a tennis lawn; but whenever she dared +to mention the idea she was hooted by her big brothers, who did not want +the garden to be made in the least bit, as they expressed it, +ornamental. + +"But tennis isn't ornamental!" said Alice. + +"Beastly game," remarked Fred. "Only meant for girls; just to give them +an opportunity of hobnobbing together, and talking gossip, and making up +mischief." + +"You talk in the most ridiculous, unfair way," said Alice in +indignation; but she did not dare to mention the subject of the tennis +court again, and the boys still continued to build fresh sheds and +introduce new animals. + +On this occasion, as Alice walked up to the house, she was met by Fred, +who ran out to meet her in some excitement. + +"I say, Alice," he cried, "she's come, and she is a rum 'un!" + +"Who has come?" asked Alice; "not--not Kitty Malone?" + +"No one else, at your service, Kitty Malone, ohone!" cried Fred. "And +oh! isn't she Irish! You come along and see her. I never saw anything +like her before." + +"Why, Fred, I didn't think you cared for girls." + +"Nor do I as a rule, but this one--oh! I say she is a jolly sort. Why +she's been down in the kitchen and up in the attics--she knows every one +in the house already; and do you know what she is doing now--sitting in +the drawing-room with the window wide open, grinning down at you, and +she has got Pointer in her arms. You know Pointer, dirty old +fellow!--well, she caught him up the moment she came in, and insisted on +bringing him upstairs, and he has taken to her as if he had known her +ever since he was a puppy. Mean of him, isn't it; but I declare I don't +blame him. Oh! there you are, Kitty Malone." Fred raised his laughing +face to encounter another as laughing, a face at that moment grinning +from ear to ear. + +"Are you Alice?" called a voice. "Are you the one I am to sleep with? +Just say, call out loud; don't mind if you shout, because I'm accustomed +to that sort of thing." + +"Is this Kitty Malone?" thought Alice. She liked frank, jolly girls; +but she was not quite prepared for Kitty. + +She entered the house, flung down her bag of books, and ran upstairs to +the drawing-room. The next moment she found herself in the firm embrace +of a girl a little taller than herself, a slim, very pretty, very +untidy, very overdressed girl. + +"Here I am and welcome to yourself," said Kitty. "I was so vexed you +were not here to greet me; but bless you, my dear, I'm quite +comfortable. No, I'm not a bit tired--you haven't asked me, by the way, +but I suppose you mean to. I had a spiffin' journey. Sick! not I. I'm +never seasick, and I enjoyed the train. I made friends with such a dear +old gentleman and with two boys. I nearly kissed the boys when I was +leaving them, but I didn't quite. Is that you, Fred? Come along in now +and let us be jolly together. Why, Alice, how stiff you are; you have +not opened your lips yet." + +"I have not had an opportunity," answered Alice. "You do talk such a +lot, Kitty." + +"Do I? I expect we all do in Old Ireland. Bless her! she's a dear old +country, and I'm as sorry as anybody to say good-by to her. But, all the +same, I am glad to see England (poky, stiff sort of place it seems). Say +now, Alice, do you like my dress? It was made in Dublin; it's the height +of the fashion I am told." + +"It's very showy," said Alice. + +"Do you think so? Well, you are plainly dressed; nothing but that brown +merino. And--my dear, I thought they were always dressed up to the nines +near London. This place is near London, isn't it?" + +"Yes, a few miles off. Oh, of course your dress is very nice; but now I +must get ready for dinner." + +"Oh! and ain't I peckish?" said Kitty, clapping her hands and winking +broadly at Fred. + +Alice turned to leave the room. + +"We may as well go together," said Kitty, following her and slipping her +hand through her arm. "Do you know," she said, "when I first came to the +house I could scarcely breathe. Why, it's nothing but a nutshell. I +never saw such a deeny dawn of a place in the whole course of my life. +How many of you live here?" + +"Father and mother, and the two boys and I," answered Alice. + +"And you are the only girl?" + +"Yes." + +"Now come to the window and let me have a good squint at you." As Kitty +spoke she dragged Alice forward, put her facing the light, and stood +herself with her back to it. She began to make a careful scrutiny, +calling out her remarks aloud: "Eyes passable, forehead so-so, mouth +pretty well, complexion not bad for England, hair--" + +"Oh, I say, Kitty, I can't quite stand this," said Alice. "Are those +your manners in Ireland? What a wild country it must be!" + +"Dear, darling, jolly old place!" said Kitty, dancing up and down. + +"And you really give me to understand that people make remarks on one +another in that sort of fashion?" said Alice, darting away from her +companion and pouring some water into a basin to wash her hands. + +"Well, yes, love, they do when they like, and they don't when they +don't like. We are free and easy folk, I can tell you, and we have a gay +time. I'll tell you all about father and the old castle, and the dogs, +and the cows, and the cats, and the rabbits, and the mice when we have a +spare moment. That brother of yours, Fred, is not half a bad old chap; +and I saw a nice, curly-headed little gossoon coming in just now with +his books under his arm. What's his name?" + +"Oh, you mean Philip. Yes, he's the youngest; he's well enough if you +don't spoil him, Kitty." + +"I won't spoil him, bless his heart," said Kitty; "but of course I'll +make friends with him. I couldn't live without boys. There are two at +home, Pat and Laurence; and, oh! I shall miss Laurie, dear old chap! I +must not think of him." Kitty's face underwent a swift change, the +brightness went out of it just as if a heavy cloud had swept away the +sun; the big, very handsome dark-blue eyes, so dark as to be almost +black, grew full of sudden tears; the exquisitely curved lips trembled; +she turned her head aside and looked out of the window. + +At that moment it seemed to Alice that she saw beneath Kitty's wild, +eccentric manners a heart of gold. She only caught a glimpse of it, for +the next moment the girl was chatting away in the most light, frivolous, +extraordinary style. The dinner-bell sounded through the house, and the +pair went down to dinner. + +"I'd like to sit near you, please, Mr. Denvers," said Kitty. + +Philip's place was always near his father; this had been a custom ever +since he had been a baby. Kitty now ensconced herself in the little +boy's chair. + +"Am I taking anybody's seat?" she asked, looking up. + +"Only mine," said Phil. + +"Never mind, little gossoon; you shall have it to-morrow. I want to sit +near Mr. Denvers because I expect he can tell me a good many things I +don't understand." + +"You must allow me to eat my dinner, Miss Malone. You see I have a good +deal of carving to do, and besides I am a busy man," said Mr. Denvers in +a good-humored voice, for it was difficult to resist the roguish glances +of Kitty's eyes, and the sort of affectionate way in which she cuddled +up to her host's side. + +"Oh, I won't talk _over_ much," she said, glancing with her flashing +eyes round at the entire party. "But you see I am quite a stranger; and, +oh my! the place does seem lonely. You are all so stiff, I cannot quite +understand it. Is it the English fashion, please, Mr. Denvers?" + +"Well, you see," answered Mrs. Denvers from the other end of the table, +"we don't know you yet." + +"But I am sure all the same we shall be very good friends," said Mr. +Denvers. "May I give you a glass of wine?" + +"Wine! Bless you, I'm a teetotaller," said Kitty. "Why, it isn't habits +of intoxication you'll be putting into me. I never take anything but +water, or milk when I can get it; and it isn't Miss Malone you're going +to call me is it, for if it is I tell you frankly that I'll die +entirely. I must be Kitty from this moment, or Kitty Malone, or anything +of that sort, but Kitty something it must be. Now, is it settled fair +and square, Kitty shall I be? Here's my hand on my heart; I'll die if +I'm called Miss Malone!" + +Fred burst into roars of laughter. + +"I say," he cried, "what an extraordinary girl you are!" + +"Well, and so are you an extraordinary boy," said Kitty. "Oh, dear me, I +am hungry! Do you mind handing me over the potatoes? Why, you don't mean +to say you peel 'em. I never heard of such a thing! Why don't you have +them in their jackets?" + +"Potatoes are generally mashed or peeled or something of that sort in +England," said Mr. Denvers. "I see, Kitty--" he added. + +"Ah! bless you now for calling me that! What is it you want to say, dear +Mr. Denvers?" + +"I see we shall have a good deal to teach you," he said, and then he too +burst into a fit of laughter, and so the merry, somewhat rollicking meal +proceeded. + +Alice alone would not succumb to the fascinations of the Irish maiden. +She sat holding herself somewhat stiff, feeling a good deal disgusted, +wondering what Bessie Challoner would say, what Gwin Harley would think, +anticipating in advance Elma's sneers. + +Kitty, however, subjugated Mr. and Mrs. Denvers and the two boys +completely. As to Pointer, he would not leave her side; as her long, +white, taper fingers touched the top of his grizzled head, he looked at +her with eyes of unutterable love. + +"What have you done to the dog?" said Fred at last. He felt almost +afraid, in his great admiration of the bewitching stranger. + +"Only given him a taste of blarney," was the reply. "Tell me now, Fred, +were you ever in Ireland?" + +"No," answered Fred. + +"Ah! I thought as much. If you had been, and if you had kissed the +Blarney Stone, why then, it's nothing could withstand you." + +"What is the Blarney Stone?" asked Fred. + +"Don't you know that much? Why you are an ignoramus out and out. Well, +I'll tell you. It's a stone on Blarney Castle, set low down in the wall, +five or six feet from the top; and to kiss it, why that is no easy +matter, for you have to be held by your heels and let hang over the +wall; and if you can get some one to hold you tight--very tight, +mind--you slide down and you reach the stone and you kiss it, and from +that moment--oh glory! but you carry everything before you. There's not +a man, a woman, nor a child, no, nor a beastie either, that can resist +you. You bewitch 'em." + +"I have no doubt, Kitty, you kissed the stone," said Mr. Denvers. + +"Why then, it's yes, sir," she answered raising her big eyes and then +dropping them again with an inimitable expression. + +"What a queer little girl you are!" he said. "You are very amusing; but +I think we must tame you a bit." + +"You won't do that, sir. They call me the wild Irish girl at home, and +the wild Irish girl I'll be to the end of the chapter. If it's schooling +I want, why, I'll have it, but taming, no thank you." + +Kitty jumped from her seat and began to dance a sort of improvised Irish +jig about the room. + +"Do you know the jig?" she said, dancing up to Fred as she spoke. + +"No," he answered; "are you trying it on now?" + +"Yes; jump up, my hearty, and I'll teach you in a twinkling. Here, watch +me; point your toes so, turn round--pirouette as we call it. Now, then, +put your hand on your hip, courtesy to me, and come back again. That's +how it's done. Oh, Fred, I'll soon have you as beautiful a broth of a +boy as if you were born in Old Ireland." + +"Fred, my son, it is time for you to go back to college," said his +father. "Kitty, we are very pleased to have you here, and you are a very +amusing girl; but you know life is not all play." + +Kitty pulled a long face. Fred darted a laughing glance at her, and ran +off. Kitty and Alice at last found themselves alone. + +"You're disapproving of me a good bit, aren't you, Alice?" said Kitty, +going up to the other girl and taking both her hands in hers. + +"Well, I think you are very odd," said Alice. + +"And do you want me to be quite sober and tame, and to have all the +spirit knocked out me, alanna?" + +"No; but we don't do exactly as you do in this country." + +"And you think you'll tame me into your cut-and-dry pattern?" + +"I don't know about that. I don't understand you, Kitty." + +"You will after a bit, Alice. It's here I am for sure, and a gray sort +of land it is! Why, the sun doesn't even shine!" + +"Oh, doesn't it," said Alice angrily. "It's ridiculous to talk in that +strain about this country. We have much finer weather than you have in +Ireland." + +"Don't be cross, darling; I mean it metaphorically. You see we live a +gay life over there, we have a joke about everything, and the wit that +runs out of our mouths--why, it's like flashes of lightning. Oh, we have +a good time in the old country, and when you come and stay with me at +Castle Malone you'll say so for yourself. Now, then, what do you want to +do this afternoon?" + +"I must look over my lessons first." + +"Lessons--how many?" + +"A good few. You see of course I want to get on." + +"By the way, Alice," said Mrs. Denvers, who came into the room at that +moment, "I am afraid you had a bad mark for unpunctuality this morning." + +"Yes, mother, that is so." + +"And what is your place in form?" + +"I went down two or three places, mother." + +"I am sorry to hear it; your father will be very much annoyed." + +"I'll try and make up for it to-morrow, mother. And, mother, Gwin Harley +has asked me to go to tea with her this afternoon--may I?" + +"I don't see how you can. There is Kitty Malone." + +"But she has asked Kitty too." + +"What's that?" asked Kitty, bounding forward. "A tea party, bless you?" + +"You have been asked to tea at Harley Grove. Mother, may we go? I think +Kitty would enjoy it." + +"If you are sure you are not too tired, Kitty; you have had a long +journey," said Mrs. Denvers. + +"I'm not a scrap tired," said Kitty. "I'm as gay as a lark and as fresh +as a daisy. I hope it's rather a big swell party, for I have got some +awfully pretty dresses. I want to make myself look smart. You can tell +me how they manage these sort of things in England. I'm all agog to go." + +"Yes, Alice, you may go," said Mrs. Denvers. "But Kitty, my dear, if I +were you I would let them down lightly." + +"What do you mean, dear Mrs. Denvers?" + +"Don't startle them too much. They are not accustomed to such--such +frankness as you are disposed to give." + +"I'll bewitch 'em," said Kitty, beginning again to dance with light +fantastic measure up and down the room. "I'll bewitch 'em one and all. I +have made up my mind. I didn't kiss the Blarney Stone for nothing!" + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +IS THAT THE GIRL? + + +Kitty and Alice went up to their bedroom, where Kitty began to unpack +her trunks and toss her dresses about--they were all new and most of +them were gay. She had scarcely a quiet-looking dress in the entire +collection. + +"What will you do with those?" said Alice, who saw nothing to admire in +the fantastic clothes, and much to condemn. Alice had not the smallest +love for dress, and at this period of her life she considered any pains +taken over clothes a sheer waste of time. + +"But don't you like them?" said Kitty. "I thought girls loved pretty +dress. Aunt Honora says so, and so did Aunt Bridget when she came to see +us at Castle Malone a month ago. When she heard I was going to England +she said: 'Why, then, my dear Kitty, you must titivate up. It will never +do for them to see you not looking as bright as a sunbeam and as gay as +a cricket. It's colors you'll want, Kitty, and rich materials, and +spangles, and jewels, and beads, and all the other fal-lals.' And father +said to Aunt Bridget: + +"'Why then, now, Biddy,' said he, 'you just get what's right for the +child, for she hasn't a notion, and no more have I, what's worn in that +foreign place England.' + +"So Aunt Bridget said: 'A wink's as good as a word,' and I'll dress her +up in dashing style!' So she took the measure of my chest, and the round +of my waist, and the length of my skirt, and she saw how many inches I +wanted in the sleeve, and she said: 'You leave the rest to me, Kitty.' +And of course I did, and in three weeks' time down came a trunk that +would make your eyes shine even to look within it. Oh! wasn't it just +the darling entirely! Here's one of the dresses. Now, what do you think +of that?" + +As Kitty spoke she pulled out a pink nun's-veiling, made up with +innumerable ruffles and frills and laces and embroidery, a really very +pretty dress for quite a gay party, but totally unsuitable for a +schoolgirl of Kitty Malone's age. + +"Why, it's a long dress?" said Alice. "How old are you, Kitty?" + +"It's fifteen I'll be my next birthday, darling. Well, and is there +anything wrong about fifteen? I always thought it was a jewel of an +age." + +"Yes, but this dress is long; why, there's a train to it!" + +"Oh, mercy me! so there is," said Kitty. "To tell you the truth, I never +even tried on the skirt, I was so bamboozled and overexcited with the +others. A train to be sure! Oh, won't I bewitch 'em entirely. Let me try +it on, darling. Have you got a long looking-glass anywhere?" + +"Not in this room," answered Alice; "it is not necessary." + +"Not necessary? Well, now, I should say it's the one thing you ought to +have in every room, a long looking-glass that you can see yourself in +from top to toe. Why, half your elegance is lost if you cannot see how +you look your own self. Is there one in any other room?" + +"In mother's dressing-room, I think." + +"And where's that room situated, my jewel?" asked Kitty. + +"Oh, at the other end of the passage; but really, Kitty--" + +Kitty, however, was off. Alice stayed in her room, too disgusted to +follow her. + +"Something must be done to put a stop to this," she thought. "Of course, +mother won't keep a girl of that sort. Why, she's a regular wild Indian; +I shall be ashamed to take her out this afternoon." + +But at that moment a high voice, accompanied by peals of laughter, was +heard shouting for Alice. + +"Alice, mavourneen, come along this minute! Alice, come quick! quick! +Why, it's enthralling I am! You never saw anything like me before, did +you? Oh, the Blarney Stone, what it has done for me. Come, Alice, come, +come quick!" + +"What can be the matter?" called Mrs. Denvers from downstairs. "Has +anything happened?" + +"Oh, it's only me, dear Mrs. Denvers. Do come up this minute, my dear +ducky woman, and see me. I found a dress with a train to it in my trunk, +a new dress from Dublin, and I'm in it, and beautiful I look. Come up +and see me. I'm gazing at myself in your glass. I never saw anything so +lovely in the whole course of my life." + +Mrs. Denvers and Alice now both appeared upon the scene. Kitty in her +new dress, with a train nearly a foot on the ground, was stepping +backward and forward before the long glass in Mrs. Denvers' wardrobe. +Her eyes were flashing with merriment and delight. Her small arched feet +were dancing a _pas de seul_ in and out of the many flounces which +befrilled the end of the pink dress. + +"Well, do you like it?" called Kitty. "How do you think I look? Did you +ever see anybody more elegant in all your born days? Oh, if only the +dear old dad could see me! I feel as if I must kiss myself." Here she +commenced blowing kisses vigorously at the gay figure reflected in the +glass. + +"Come, Kitty," said Mrs. Denvers, "you are not going out in that dress." + +"And why not, my dear Mrs. Denvers? Why shouldn't I go out and captivate +the natives? That's what a pretty girl is made for." + +"Not in this country," said Mrs. Denvers in a somewhat severe voice. "It +cannot be done; Kitty, you are much too young to wear a dress of that +sort. While you are with me you must expect to be guided by my taste and +wishes." + +"But, dear Mrs. Denvers, Aunt Bridget ordered it." + +"Well, of course, dear, you can wear it at Castle Malone, but not +here--at least, not out of doors. Yes, my child, it is a very pretty +dress; but I do understand what is right for girls to appear in. You +must have something quieter, Kitty." + +"Then come along and choose for me," said Kitty, who was as good-natured +as she was high-spirited and volatile. "Come straight and choose, for +Alice, poor child, is troubled with the sulks." + +"What do you mean?" said Alice indignantly. + +"But isn't it true, darling; you have such a frown between your brows, +and it doesn't improve you. There, cheer up, Alice, honey! Why, it's the +best of friends I want to be with you; but you don't like me, not a bit. +I'll win you yet, Alice, aroon! But at the present moment you're saying +in your heart: 'What a nasty, forward, ill-bred girl that is, and I am +ashamed, that I am, that my schoolfellows should see me with the likes +of her.'" + +"Come, come, Kitty, no more of this," said Mrs. Denvers. "If you are +going out you have no time to lose. Yes, let me see your wardrobe. I +think this dark-blue dress is the best." + +"But you are not expecting me to go out in the open air without a body!" +said Kitty, "and there's nothing but a skirt to this. I suppose I may +wear one of my pretty blouses?" + +"Yes; that skirt and a nice blouse will do. Now then, get ready, both of +you, as quickly as you can. Kitty, remember I expect your things to be +put away tidily." + +"To be sure, ma'am. Why, then, it would be a shame to spoil all these +pretty garments. I'll put them away in a jiffy, and come down looking as +neat as a new pin." + +Alice, who had brushed out her hair, put on a clean collar and a pair of +cuffs, was now standing waiting for her friend. + +"Look here," she said suddenly, "will you be long putting away your +things and dressing?" + +"Not very long, darling; but I must curl my fringe over again." + +"I wish you wouldn't wear a fringe, Kitty; none of the nice girls do at +the school." + +"Is it give up my fringe I would?" answered Kitty. + +"What a show I'd be! Why, look at my forehead, it's too high for the +lines of pure beauty. Now, when the fringe comes down just to here, why, +it's perfect. Aunt Bridget said it was, and she's a rare judge, I can +tell you. She was a beauty in her youth, one of the Dublin beauties; and +you can't go to any city for fairer women than are to be found in +Dublin. I tell you what it is, Alice, I see you are in a flurry to be +off. Can I overtake you?" + +"You can," said Alice suddenly. "You can come to me at Bessie +Challoner's house." + +"Bessie Challoner!--what a pretty name!--Challoner! I like that!" +answered Kitty, looking thoughtful. "And where's her house, aroon? What +part of the neighborhood is it situated in?" + +"Come here to the window and I'll show you. When you leave this house +you turn to the right and walk straight on until you come to Cherry +Lodge--that's the name of the house. Bessie and I will be waiting for +you." + +"Well, then, off you go, and I won't keep you many minutes." + +Alice ran out of the room. She found her mother waiting for her +downstairs. + +"Oh, mother," said Alice, "she's too dreadful." + +"Come now, no whispering about me behind my back," called a gay voice +over the stairs. "I thought it would be something of that sort. That's +not fair--out with your remarks in front of me, and nothing behind." + +"Kitty, Kitty, go back and dress, you incorrigible child!" called Mrs. +Denvers. + +"Mother!" said Alice. + +"My dear Alice," said her mother, "you will soon learn to like that poor +child. She has a great deal that is good in her, and then she is so +pretty." + +"Pretty?" muttered Alice. "Oh, I see you're bewitched like the rest of +them." + +She left the house, feeling more uncomfortable, depressed, and angry +than she had done for several years. + +Mr. Denvers was a lawyer, and made a fairly good income; but his large +family and the education of his boys had strained his resources to such +an extent that he was very glad to accept the liberal sum which Kitty's +father was paying for her. Alice knew all about this, and at first was +more than willing to help her family in every way in her power. She did +not murmur at all when she was asked to give up half of her room to the +Irish girl. She was quite willing to take her under her patronage, to +show her round, to try to get friends for her among her own +schoolfellows--in short, to make her happy. But then Alice had never +pictured any one in the least like Kitty Malone. She had imagined a +somewhat plain, shy, awkward girl, who would lean upon her, who would +give her unbounded affection, and follow her lead in everything. Now, +this sparkling, racy, daring Kitty was by no means to her mind. There +was not the least doubt that Kitty would not be guided by anybody, that +she would never play second fiddle, and there was also a dreadful fear +down deep in poor Alice's heart that she would fascinate her school +fellows instead of disgusting them, and that Alice's own dearest friends +would leave her in favor of the stranger. + +She walked very slowly, therefore, a frown between her brows, discontent +and jealousy in her heart. + +Bessie was waiting for her at the gate. + +"Why, Alice," called out Bessie, "how late you are. We shan't get to +Harley Grove by five o'clock." + +"I can't help being late; it is a blessing you see me now," answered +Alice. "I wonder you waited for me, Bessie." + +"Well, my dear," answered Bessie, "I would much rather walk with you +than take a solitary ramble by myself. I thought," she added, "you were +going to bring that new Irish girl with you. Has she come?" + +"Has she not come?" answered Alice. "Oh, Bessie, Bessie, it is because +of her I am late. Oh, Bessie, she is quite too dreadful." + +"How so?" asked Bessie. + +"She is the most extraordinary, wild, reckless, absolutely unladylike, +vulgar person I ever came across in the whole course of my life." + +"What a lot of adjectives!" laughed Bessie. "I shall be quite curious to +see her; from your description she must be a monster." + +"She is a monster, a human monster," answered Alice; "and the worst of +it is, Bessie, that in some extraordinary way she has fascinated both +father and mother, and even Fred--Fred, who hates girls as a rule; they +are all so taken up with this blessed Kitty Malone that they don't mind +her perfectly savage manners. I can tell you I am quite miserable about +it." + +"Poor Alice," answered Bessie in a sympathetic tone. "I suppose then, +dear, she is not coming with us?" + +"Oh, yes, she is; she is following us. She could not find anything quiet +enough to put on." + +"Quiet enough to put on! What do you mean?" + +"Oh, my dear, her wardrobe is beyond description. She absolutely wanted +to come to poor Gwin's quiet little tea party in a dress fit for a ball, +flounced and frilled and laced and ribboned, and with a train to it, +absolutely a train, although she is not fifteen yet." + +Bessie could not help laughing. "I am sorry she is fond of dress," she +answered; "I can't bear that sort of girl." + +"Oh, you'll positively loathe her, Bessie. I quite pity you at the +thought of having to walk with her this afternoon." + +"My dear Alice, we must make the best of it," answered Bessie, "and I +don't suppose she will quite kill me; she will be amusing at any rate." + +"Amusing enough to those who have not got to live with her day and +night," answered Alice in a very discontented voice. "Oh, and here she +comes," she added; "and, look, she is running and racing down the road +and waving her hands to us. Oh, Bessie, it is intolerable! Don't you +pity me?" + +"What! is that the girl?" cried Bessie. "How very--" + +"How very what?" asked Alice. + +"How very pretty she is!" + +"Pretty," said Alice in a tone of such withering scorn that Bessie could +not help gazing at her friend in astonishment. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +TIFFS ALL AROUND. + + +Kitty's dark-blue skirt was all that was correct and proper; it reached +just to her ankles, and her remarkably small and beautifully-shaped feet +were encased in the neatest possible tan boots. But the blouse of light +pink silk, all bedizened with bunches of ribbons and lappets of lace, +was in Alice's eyes almost as painfully unsuitable as the trained skirt. +Kitty wore a little close-fitting cap of dark-blue velvet on her head. +Her hair, of the softest, cloudiest black, true Irish hair, was piled up +in a thick mass behind; in front it waved and curled round her white +forehead. Kitty was very tall, and, child as she still was in years, had +a more formed figure than most girls of her age. She was drawing on her +tan gloves now, and unfurling a parasol of tussore silk with a heavy +lace fall. + +"I do hope I'm smart enough," she said, panting slightly as she spoke. +"Is this one of your schoolfellows?" + +"Yes; my friend, Miss Challoner." + +"Haven't you got a Christian name?" asked Kitty, staring frankly with +her wide-open eyes at Alice's friend. + +"Bessie is my name," answered Bessie Challoner. + +"Do you mind my calling it to you? I like Challoner awfully, and if I +were to say Challoner without the Miss it might do, but Miss is so +stiff. I hope I may be Kitty to you, and then you won't object to being +Bessie to me." + +"Not a bit," answered Bessie heartily; "but we are a little late, and +had better walk on as fast as we can." + +Gwin Harley lived in a beautiful house about two miles away, and the +girls turned down a path which led across some fields in the direction +of Harley Grove. The time of year was toward the end of May, and the +weather was perfect. + +Kitty, who had been silent for a time, now stood in the middle of the +field, threw both her hands to her sides, let her parasol drop on the +ground, and opened her mouth wide. + +"Have you gone quite mad?" asked Alice in a severe tone. + +"Mad is it?" said Kitty; "not I. I am taking in some of the air." Here +she began to breathe very deeply and with considerable noise. "Why, my +ducky girls, the pair of you, I was fairly suffocated in that bandbox of +a house; now the breeze here is fine and fresh, and I want to fill my +lungs. Is there any objection?" + +"Oh, none I am sure," answered Bessie; "but you really did look most +extraordinary." + +"I am glad no one was passing at the moment," said Alice. "What would +they have thought?" + +"Does it matter what they think?" asked Kitty. "We never mind what +anyone thinks of us in Ireland. Ah, the dear old place; how I pine for +it! There now, my lungs are full, and we can go on again." + +She picked up her parasol and began to stride forward. + +"Isn't she a horror?" whispered Alice to Bessie. + +"Hush!" answered Bessie; "she only does it to amuse us. The thing is to +take very little notice; we'll soon tame her down." + +"Is it taming me you're after?" called back Kitty. "Well, then, you'll +never do that, for I come of a wild lot, and I have always been called +Wild Kitty from the moment I could speak. But there's no harm in me, not +a bit. Now, then, I'll walk as sober as you please. What shall we talk +about?" + +"Is there anything you would like to ask us?" said Bessie. + +"I am sure then, darling, I don't think there is. Wouldn't you like to +ask me some questions? I'm as open as day. I'll lay bare all the +thoughts of my secret soul to the pair of you, if you care to hear +them." + +"I don't know that we do," said Bessie. "You see we have got to make +your acquaintance yet, Kitty." + +"Ah, now it's nice of you to call me Kitty, and that's a very pretty +little voice you have; soft and winning. How is it you say some of those +words? I can't get my tongue round them; but I dare say I will after a +bit." + +"Would you like to know what kind of place we are going to?" asked +Bessie. + +"Oh, I'll wait until I get there," answered Kitty. "I suppose it's like +all other places; there's a house and some girls; and if we are asked to +tea, why we'll get tea, and they'll think me no end of an oddity, and +I'll think them a lot of muffs; but that don't matter. Oh, my dears, if +you only saw Old Ireland, and if you only knew the free life we have +there, and the beautiful air that comes blowing in from the broad +Atlantic. Why, it's smothered I'll be in this queer place. I doubt if +I'll stay long. I'll write to father, and ask him to take me back +again." + +"I would if I were you," said Alice stoutly. + +"Now, what do you mean by that, 'Alice, aroon?'" + +"I mean," said Alice, who had now almost lost control over her temper, +"that if you go on as you have done since you came here, we shall none +of us like you, and I for one shall be delighted when you return to +Ireland." + +As Alice spoke Kitty's charming face suddenly lost its brilliant color; +it became white, and her dark eyes flashed with an angry fire. She stood +perfectly still for a moment, then began to walk on a little faster than +before. + +"You have hurt her, Alice," said Bessie; "you should not have said +that." + +"I don't care; she made me do it; she is intolerable." + +"Still, you had no right to speak as you did; remember she is a +stranger." + +Here Bessie ran after Kitty, and tried to slip her hand through her arm; +but the Irish girl made an impatient movement, and, shrugging her +shoulders, walked on quicker than before. + +"Oh, leave her alone," whispered Alice; "let us talk about things that +interest us. Why should all lives be upset by her? There, she is going +on in front; let us fall back and talk about interesting things. Have +you finished your work yet?" + +"Oh, yes; I had a great deal to do this afternoon. I do hope, Alice, +that Gwin won't mind if I ask her to let me go into the library. I must +take a peep into 'Household Encyclopędia;' it is such a chance." + +"Oh, I am sure she won't mind," replied Alice. "Gwin is the soul of good +nature. I only dread what she will think." + +"Oh, you need not dread anything," said Kitty, suddenly turning round +and coming back to the girls. "I shan't be here long; don't be afraid." + +"Please, Kitty," said Bessie; "don't mind what Alice said just now, she +was vexed, because we are not quite accustomed to manners like yours. +You will soon get into our ways, you know." + +"Never, never!" cried Kitty. + +"Well, at any rate, don't mind about it now. Do you think you will like +your school life?" + +"No; I shall just hate it." + +"What a pity that will be; but I'm sure you don't know what you are +saying. You are vexed with Alice, and I don't wonder--Alice, you were +very hard on her." + +"Oh, never mind," answered Kitty; "don't ask her to apologize. I can go +home again. I don't want to be with people who have made up their minds +to dislike me. All the folks at home love me, and--" Here tears dropped +from her eyes, splashing down her cheeks in bright round pearls. + +"I didn't mean to vex you," said Alice, who was disconcerted at this +evident grief. "I dare say I shall get accustomed to you after a bit. I +mean I do not really want you to go home." + +Kitty's face underwent a change, rapid as a flash of lightning. + +"If you want to make friends, Alice, it's as right as rain," she cried. +"I know I was vexed, but it is over now; yes it is over. I am willing to +be friends if you are willing." + +"Of course," said Alice; "and I know I ought not to have spoken as I +did; but you do manage to fret me dreadfully. I never saw a girl exactly +like you before." + +"It is all right now you really want to be friends," answered Kitty; +"and I will try to be as dull as you please." Here she paused and seemed +to consider. "There's no use," she continued after a moment; "I mean I +must be myself whatever happens. I must be genuine. Please, Alice, let +me be genuine for a week; if at the end of that time you find me +intolerable, why I'll be off." + +"Don't say anything about that," said Bessie; "everything is quite new +to you, and Alice did speak unkindly; but please, Kitty, don't be angry +if I say something." + +"Oh, no, I won't be angry with you; you're a real duck," cried Kitty. + +"Well, we English girls are not quite accustomed to your sort of way; we +are quieter here and more reserved. Perhaps you had better--" + +"Oh, I know exactly what the end of that pretty little speech is going +to be," said Kitty; "but I cannot. I must be Kitty Malone or nothing. I +was born that way. Why, bless you, it is in our race. Aunt Bridget was +just the same when she was young, and so was Aunt Honora, and even +father; oh, and--and Laurie. If you only saw Laurie and Pat! Oh, I wish +you knew Laurie; if you saw him you would say, 'If there is a broth of a +boy in the world he is one.'" + +The girls had now reached the avenue gates at Harley Lodge, and the +lodge-keeper ran out to open them. A few moments later they found +themselves in sight of the pretty, modern mansion which Mr. Harley had +lately purchased. The door was opened by a butler in very correct +livery, and the young folk were shown into a handsome drawing-room at +the other side of a broad hall. There was no one in the room when they +entered, and Kitty walked straight up to a glass let into the wall, and +began to survey herself with intense satisfaction. She had by this time +forgotten the rebuff which Alice had given her, tears had only added to +the brightness of her eyes, and her momentary fit of vexation and temper +had deepened the color in her blooming cheeks. She nodded to herself +with smiles of intense satisfaction, pushed her velvet cap in a slightly +more coquettish way over her mass of black curls, and began once again +to dance a very graceful _pas de seul_ in front of the glass. + +"I do think I have nice feet," she said; and just at that moment the +door was opened, and Gwin Harley and Elma Lewis entered the room. + +Gwin, statuesque, graceful, dressed in the most suitable manner, made a +perfect contrast to poor, excitable Kitty. Kitty's words had been +plainly audible, and Alice flushed deeply with vexation. + +"Why, then, I had better introduce myself," said Kitty, who was by no +means abashed. "Are you Miss Harley? You have got a very nice looking +glass, let me tell you; it shows off the figure to perfection." + +Gwin could not help coloring in surprise and astonishment. + +"I am Kitty Malone, at your service," continued Kitty. "Shall I drop you +a courtesy in the true Irish way? Some of us bob like this--so, and some +of us step back like this," here Kitty performed a very elaborate and +very graceful courtesy, then stood upright, and laughing heartily, +showed rows of pearly teeth. Gwin held out her hand. + +"May I introduce my friend, Elma Lewis? Elma, this is Miss Malone." + +"Kitty Malone. I won't be called Miss Malone," said the incorrigible +Kitty. + +"Won't you all come upstairs now, girls?" said Gwin, who perceived that +both Alice and Bessie were annoyed by Kitty's manners. + +"If we take off our things we can go into the library and have a good +game before tea, or would you prefer a walk?" + +"Well, I for one am tired," said Kitty. "The fact is," she continued, +these boots are somewhat tight. They're awfully becoming, you know, +aren't they? but they do squeeze a little just across the toes; how +ever, as Aunt Honora says, 'Pride feels no pain,' and I am desperate +proud of my feet. Shall we all look at our feet, and see which has got +the prettiest pair?" + +"I don't think we will just at present," said Gwin. "If you are tired +you must take your boots off. Have you not just come from Ireland?" + +"Bless you, yes," answered Kitty; "I only arrived to-day. The place is +as new to me as it can be. Up to the present I don't think much of it, +although you have got a lovely house, Miss Harley--fine and airy with +plenty of big rooms. I suppose you have got money _galore_; have you?" + +"I believe we have," said Gwin in some astonishment, and a haughty note +coming into her voice. + +"Ah, now, don't begin to be proud and stiff!" exclaimed Kitty. "It is +quite wonderful; every one I speak to here seems to take me the wrong +way. What in the world do you all mean? I thought when I came to England +that people would say, 'Well, now, that's a remarkably pretty girl. I am +sure she's Irish by the twinkle in her eye and the roll of the brogue in +her voice; but we'll like her all the better for that.' But, bless my +heart! that's not the way you're taking me. Every time I open my lips +somebody seems to think I have said something wrong. Upon my word it's a +nice state of things, and I, the darling of my old father. If Aunt +Honora and Aunt Bridget were here they would soon put matters straight; +and Laurie, dear, darling, old Laurie, if he saw his Kitty put upon, +wouldn't he give it to you all?" + +"We none of us want to put upon you, Miss Malone," said Gwin Harley. + +"_Miss_ Malone!" + +"Yes," said Gwin firmly, "it is the custom here to call girls by their +surnames for a little until we get to know them; but I am sure," she +added kindly, "you will soon be Kitty with us all, for I see you are +very nice, although you have not quite our ways." + +"Ah, there, that is all I want you to say," answered Kitty with a +profound sigh, "and now I'll go upstairs and slip off my bits of boots, +for they are a trifle tight. Can you lend me a pair of your shoes, Miss +Harley?" + +"Yes, with pleasure," replied Gwin, and turning, she led the way out of +the room. The rest of the evening passed off better. Kitty became a +little subdued, and satisfied herself with talking less, and casting +ravishing glances of delight and roguish entreaty first at one girl and +then at the other. It was extremely difficult to withstand her, for her +voice was low and singularly sweet, her eyes were beautiful, she could +not do an ungraceful thing, she was altogether like a bright, flashing +meteor, and soon she began to exercise an extraordinary fascination both +over Bessie Challoner and Gwin Harley. Having got over her first +astonishment, Gwin began to take a sincere interest in the pretty +stranger. The lovely expression of her coral lips made her long to kiss +them, and to assure the Irish girl that she for one would be her friend; +but the next instant Kitty said something so very much against the grain +that Gwin felt as much repulsed as a moment before she was delighted. + +Immediately after tea Bessie went off to the library to hunt up her +darling "Encyclopędia." + +"Now that she has gone," exclaimed Gwin, "we are not likely to get her +back for some time. What a remarkably earnest student she is!" + +"The Earnest Student?" interrupted Kitty. "I thought that was the name +of a religious book. I think father has got it at home." + +"Perhaps so," replied Gwin, "but we always call it to Bessie. She is +wonderfully clever. She gets on splendidly at school, taking everything +before her. I am certain she is the kind of girl who will make her mark +by and by." + +"I hate studies!" said Kitty in her low, humorous voice. + +"I am sorry for that," answered Gwin, "for if you come to school you +won't be at all popular if you do not care for your books." + +"Popular? How do you mean? Is it with the teachers or with the girls?" + +"Well, with both I fancy." + +"Then, I tell you what," exclaimed Kitty, "I'd like to bet with you that +you are wrong--that I'll be the most popular girl in the whole of the +school with the teachers--yes, with the teachers--and the scholars as +well." + +"You must be very conceited," exclaimed Elma, who had sat silent during +the greater part of the evening, taking Kitty in, however, all the same. + +"Conceited? No more than you are," cried Kitty, "but I know my powers, +and I have not kissed the Blarney Stone for nothing." + +"Oh, you need not tell us that ridiculous story over again," said Alice. + +"But I should like to hear it," cried Gwin. + +"You really would not Gwin; it is too absurd. We must show Kitty, now +she has come to live among us, what is real wit and what is not. Her +way of talking is only silly." + +Gwin knit her brows, and looked pained. + +"I would rather not correct her now," she said in a gentle voice. Then +she added, her eyes sparkling with sudden eagerness, "Would it not be a +good opportunity for talking over the rules of our society, girls?" + +"Oh yes," cried Elma, "yes; but is it well to----" + +Here she bent forward, and began to whisper vigorously in Gwin's ear. + +"Yes, I think so," answered Gwin. + +"I wouldn't, I really wouldn't," said Elma. "I am certain Alice agrees +with me." + +"I can guess what you are saying," cried Alice, "and I do agree most +heartily." + +"And I can guess what you are saying," exclaimed Kitty, starting to her +feet with flashing eyes. "You don't want to talk about your society or +whatever it is because I am present. Well, discuss it without me. I'll +find my way to the library. Poor dear Bessie is the only decent one +among you, and I shall go and sit with her. How do you know I won't take +up with literature just to spite you all? I can do anything I have a +mind to, and that you will soon find to your cost." + +She ran out of the room as she spoke, slamming the door behind her. + +"There, that's a comfort," cried Alice, breathing freely for the first +time. "Did you ever, girls, in all your lives, see a more terrible +creature? What is to be done? Why, she will disgrace us all at school. +You know what a very nice set we are in at present." + +"Oh, an excellent set," said Elma, in a sarcastic voice. + +"You know, Elma, that we do belong to the nicest set in the school, and +I am sure, Gwin, your father--" + +"You need not drag father in," cried Gwin. Father likes all the people I +like." + +"But, surely--" began Alice. + +Gwin looked at her gravely, then she nodded. + +"I am not quite certain yet," she said; "but I think it highly probable +that I shall take up that poor, wild, little Kitty. At least she is +fresh; she speaks out her mind plainly, and there is a great deal to +admire about her." + +"Then, listen, Gwin," cried Alice; "if she is taken into our special +society I will resign." + +"Will you really, Alice? What, if I ask you to stay?" + +"It is hard to refuse you, dear; but you scarcely know what all this +means to me. I am rubbed the wrong way; I don't understand myself. But +frankly, Gwin, you are not going to ask Kitty Malone to join our +society?" + +"What if it does her good?" + +"But ought we not to think of the others? She is a perfect stranger to +us all at present." + +"But she won't be long. Bless the child, she has no reserve in her, and +I do want to help her, poor little girl! Well, we need not decide that +point at present." + +"Do let us vote to leave her out," cried Alice. + +"No, Alice, we will leave the point undecided. Now let us set to work, +and begin to form our rules, for really we have no time to lose." + +"But what are we to do without Bessie?" exclaimed Alice. "Whatever +happens, we cannot do without Bessie Challoner; she will be the life and +soul of the whole society. Shall we send for her, Gwin?" + +"No, Kitty is with her, and they had better not be disturbed." + +"What a difference Kitty makes," cried Alice. "I did think we should +have had a delightful and heavenly evening, and it has been all ruction +from first to last." + +"Because you dislike her so much, Alice," said Gwin. + +"Well, I do," said Alice; "I can't abide her. But do I show my dislike +so plainly?" she added. + +"Rather! Any one can see it in the curl of your lip and the expression +in your eyes; and then you say such terribly withering things to the +poor girl. You try to crush her." + +"Well, if I may say what I think," cried Elma, "Kitty Malone seems to me +to be a very unpleasant, vulgar girl, and I cannot imagine why she has +been sent here." + +"Oh, as to her vulgarity," said Alice, who suddenly felt forced to +defend herself against Elma's spiteful speeches, "Kitty comes of a very +old family, and her father is as rich as ever he can be. They live in a +wonderful castle in County Donegal, just overhanging the sea; and from +what I learn are considered county people. Father was very pleased to +have her, and whatever she is, she is a lady by birth." + +"So she is rich?" remarked Elma in a low voice. "Well, at any rate," +she continued after a pause, "she is very pretty." + +"Pretty!" cried Gwin; "I should just think she is. She has the most +lovely face I ever saw. Girls, it is quite true what she says; she will +fascinate any number of people. That dashing, daring way of hers will go +down with numbers. Yes, she will make a revolution in Middleton School, +I am certain." + + + + +CHAPTER V + +INCORRIGIBLE KITTY + + +Mr. Harley's library was a beautiful room. It was lined with books from +floor to ceiling, and these books had been selected with the greatest +care. Standard works of all sorts and in three languages were to be +found on certain bookshelves, also modern works, both poetry and prose, +with some of the best novels of the day. + +Bessie Challoner never envied rich people. She cared nothing whatever +for fine dresses, nor for carriages and horses, nor for the luxurious +life of the wealthy, but she did envy Gwin Harley the use of her +father's library; and when she entered the room now, with that delicious +faint smell of leather which all libraries possess, she sniffed first +with ecstasy, and then climbing on the ladder secured the volume of the +"Encyclopędia" which she required, and seating herself at one of the +center tables, was soon lost in the fascinations of her subject. After a +time a little cough, very gentle, however, caused her to raise her head, +and there standing before her was Kitty Malone. + +Kitty's long arms had dropped to her sides, and she had pushed back her +masses of dark hair. There was a pathetic expression about her rosy +lips, and tears trembled on her long eyelashes. + +"Why, what is it, Kitty; what do you want?" asked Bessie. + +"Ah, then it's good to hear you say that word, aroon," said Kitty. "I +want to sit near you. I won't speak, no, not a syllable. Hush will be +the only word with me, hush! hush! hush! You can go on with your beloved +reading and I'll stay near you; that's all I require. Why, then, it's +just a shelter I need, and nothing more. Read away, Bessie, my honey, +and I'll do nothing to interrupt you." + +"But why have you left the others?" asked Bessie. + +"Never mind, dear, now. I'll just sit quietly here, and contemplate you +while you are studying." + +Bessie sighed impatiently. She then bent again over her book, and began +to devour the pages. Kitty watched her with marked interest. + +"I wonder if it will be my fate to have to take up with literature in +sober earnest," she said to herself, "I, who can never abide a book. Oh, +to be back again in the dear old place! I should not be a bit surprised +if Laurie is out fishing now, and Pat with him. And oh, suppose they are +bringing in the trout, and the creatures are leaping and struggling as +they come to shore, and father is going round to feed the dogs--why, the +thought is enough to madden me. Oh, then, why did I ever leave home? I +don't care _that_ for books, nor for being clever nor for--How she works +to be sure! How earnest she looks. She has got a very fine forehead, +although it is miles too high. She ought to wear a fringe; it would +improve her wonderfully. I will cut her hair some day if she will let +me. I will cut it and curl it. I have got the dearest little jewel of a +pair of curling tongs that ever was seen! Aunt Honora sent it to me in a +box with a spirit lamp all complete when I got the rest of my things. +I'll just exercise those little tongs on dear, nice Bessie. I do wish +she would not be so devoted to that book, she might talk. Oh, I am +lonely. I think I'll fidget a bit." + +Kitty moved her chair, creaking it ominously; but Bessie had got to a +most thrilling part of her subject, and Kitty might have creaked the +library down before she would have roused her companion's attention. + +"Now, if I sigh, perhaps that will do it," thought Kitty. She opened her +mouth and let some profound sighs come up from the depths of her heart; +but they only depressed her still more, and had no effect whatever on +Bessie. + +"I think I hate intellectual people," muttered the Irish girl. She +jumped to her feet. + +"I must do something to rouse her or I shall go mad. She is the nicest +of them all, much. I wish she would speak to me. Why should I break my +heart, and why should she simply go on devouring that stupid book? Here, +I know what I'll do. I'll just toss down one of the big volumes; it will +make a clatter and she will have to look up. Perhaps I'll let it drop +just the tiniest bit in the world on the corner of her toe; that will +finish her." Here Kitty laughed excitedly, pushed out her arm and +knocked over a huge volume which certainly fell a good deal more than a +tiny bit on poor Bessie's foot. + +"Oh, Kitty, what have you done?" cried Bessie. "You have quite hurt me. +I wish you would not drop the books about." + +"There, darling, I had to do it. Pray forgive me," said Kitty. + +"You had to do it!" answered Bessie. "Do you mean that you did it on +purpose?" + +"Why, then, yes, love--that's what I do mean exactly. I did it because +I wanted you to talk to me, and you _would_ think of nothing but that +book." + +"It is such a chance," answered Bessie, "and I wanted to find out for +myself all about that wonderful magnetic iron ore. You know it never +loses its power, it is potent for hundreds and hundreds of years, and--" + +"Oh, don't tell me any more, or I'll lose my senses. Dear Bessie, what +does magnetic iron ore matter. Bessie, I'm awfully unhappy. Every one is +so unkind to me. Promise you'll be my friend, won't you?" + +Bessie looked up, and then she saw something so touching in Kitty's face +that she closed her book with a reluctant sigh, to devote herself the +next moment with all the sympathy she possessed to her companion. + +"I am sure you are suffering, Kitty, and I am sorry for you," she said. +"I'll fetch my hat and we'll go out for a little." + +"Oh, what a darling you are!" answered Kitty. + +A moment or two later the girls were walking across the beautifully-kept +garden; they soon reached a shady path at the further end. + +"And now, Kitty," said Bessie, "I mean to lecture you a little." + +"Anything in the world you like, darling. I'm quite agreeable. Aunt +Honora and Aunt Bridget lecture me, and so does the dear old dad +sometimes; but I always say when they have finished that it is like +water on a duck's back--it rolls off without making the least bit of +impression, and then they laugh and say that I am the queerest mixture +they ever came across, and that they had best leave me to nature. But +perhaps I'll listen to you, Bessie." + +"I wish you would," said Bessie. "I am sure," she added, speaking with +great earnestness, "that you are a very nice girl, Kitty; but at the +same time you are wild." + +"Oh, I pride myself on that," said Kitty in her frankest of voices. + +"But I wish you would not, Kitty, for it really isn't nice." + +"Not nice! Now what may you be meaning by that, aroon?" + +"Well, there is a sort of dignity which I think a really well brought-up +girl ought to possess." + +"Oh, my! dignity is it?" said Kitty. She stepped away from her +companion, drew down her face to a ridiculous length, nearly closed her +eyes, and folded her hands demurely across her breast. + +"Is that pleasing you, mavourneen?" she said. "Is it dignified and sober +enough poor Kitty Malone looks now?" + +"Oh, Kitty, you will joke about everything." + +Kitty immediately changed her mood. + +"No, I won't," she said. "I am really awfully obliged to you. You don't +know what all this has been to me. Father said I was growing too +wild--yes, the darling dad did; he agrees with you down to the core of +his heart, and he said I must go to England and be taught manners. But, +bless you, they'll have a job. I told him so when I was going. I said, +'Dad, it's the hearts of the teachers I'll be breaking;' and dad said, +'Oh, no, you won't, Kitty, aroon. You'll be a good girl, and you'll try +to please your old dad and you'll come back a beautiful, perfect lady!' +He said it with tears in his eyes, he did, the darling; and I promised, +and down on my knees I went and asked God to help me. But, dear, it's +like the froth of the sea-foam inside me, the fun and the mischief and +the nonsense and the ways that you think queer; but, all the same, those +ways delight the good folk at home. Must I really give them up, +Bessie--must I?" + +"To a certain extent," said Bessie, "or you will have a lot of enemies +here, Kitty, and you won't be at all happy." + +"How I wish I lived with you, Bessie Challoner. You're a broth of a +girl, that you are. You have not taken a dislike to me just because of +the fun bubbling up in my heart?" + +"No, dear; on the contrary, I like you extremely." + +"Ah, you precious duck of a darling! It is a good squeeze you would +like, if I gave it to you?" + +"Well, I am not very fond of being kissed; but if you must, Kitty." + +"I must, dear, I must, for the heart in me is full to the brim. Now +then, stand still, and I'll catch you up close to my heart. There! isn't +that better?" + +Poor Bessie gave some long-drawn breaths, for the firmness, in fact the +ferocity, of Kitty's embrace quite hurt her for a moment. + +"There," said Kitty, "that's the way we hug in Old Ireland. Now I'm a +sight better, and I'll let go. So you do like me, Bessie?" + +"Yes, very much indeed, Kitty, only--please don't do it again." + +"I won't to-night, I won't really, but it's wonderful that you don't +like it. I wish you could see Aunt Honora and Aunt Bridget hug one +another. Why, it's the noise they make when they get together, and the +way they kiss! Oh, dear, I hope some day you'll come to Ireland." + +"You don't tempt me by these descriptions," replied Bessie. "But now, +Kitty, will you promise just to be a little quieter, to keep in all +those irrepressible and--really I must say it, dear, at the risk of +hurting you--those silly words." + +"But then I'm silly myself," said Kitty. "Can you expect wisdom out of +nonsense? I am pure and simple nonsense from first to last." + +"But you do want to be something better? You do want to lead a good +life?" + +"A good life! I never thought there was anything bad in me." + +"You want to learn for instance?" + +"No; that I don't, darling." + +"You don't want to learn, Kitty? Then what is the good of coming to +Middleton School?" + +"Listen," said Kitty. "I'll do anything for father. Father said I was to +learn, and that I was to get manners. Now I think your manners are +perfect. I'll model myself on you, dear; that I will. Will you teach me +your manners, Bessie Challoner?" + +"I'll do all I can to help you, Kitty." + +"And you'll be my real faithful friend?" + +"Yes, only please not--" + +"I won't, dear, I won't to-night; but when I meet you to-morrow you'll +allow me just once?" + +"Well, if it will break you in." + +"It will, it will. It will enable me to bear Alice. I am not the sort to +hate people; but I'll soon get to hate her. It's an awful affliction +that I have got to live with the Denvers; not that Mrs. Denvers is bad, +nor Mr. Denvers, poor dear, nor Fred, but Alice! I'd like to get Alice +over to Ireland, to Castle Malone. I could punish her a bit if I put her +into Laurie's hands. But there!" + +"Well, Kitty, time is going," said Bessie. "It is a bargain that I help +you to learn some of our English ways, and that you, in order to pay me, +try to be gentle yourself, and to restrain some of your wild words." + +"I'll try. I'll do my very, very best. You'll see when I get to +Middleton School what a proper, respectable sort of girl I'll become." + +"And you'll work hard too, won't you, Kitty? For I know it will do you a +great deal of good, and I am sure you are very intelligent." + +"Well, I can take in most things; only it's no end of a bother." + +"I am certain you will succeed if you try," said Bessie. "Then it's a +bargain, isn't it? You'll try to learn a great deal, and you will do +your best to get better mannered?" + +"Why, of course I will. I hate learning, and I don't want to be bothered +with lessons: but there's nothing under the sun I wouldn't do for those +I love; and I love father and I love you too, Bessie Challoner." + +"They are calling us. We must go into the house," said Bessie. + +"Do yield to me on one point," cried Kitty. + +"What is that?" + +"Let us go back to the house with our arms round each other's waists. It +will show Alice that we have come to an understanding. I don't care +twopence about Miss Harley nor about that other girl--I don't remember +her name; but I want Alice to see us. Why, it's mad with jealousy she'll +be. Come along, aroon. Here's my arm firm round your waist; now let us +dance up to the house." + +"Oh Kitty, Kitty, you are incorrigible!" cried poor Bessie, and a +feeling of despair certainly visited her at that moment. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +THE TUG-OF-WAR. + + +A few days after the events related in the last chapter Alice Denvers, +Bessie Challoner, Elma Lewis, and Gwin Harley met once more at Gwin's +pretty home, to discuss the rules of a little society which they were +drawing up among themselves. The nicest girls in their set were to be +invited to join; but the important subject of the rules was first to be +discussed. Gwin £ad drawn up a plan which she now submitted to her eager +companions. + +"The most important thing of all is the name," she said. "I thought of +calling it 'The Early Rising, Devoted to Study Society.'" + +"Oh, twice too long," said Bessie. "Who could be bothered saying all +these words? You know when we are in the rush of school-life we cannot +be bothered talking of the 'Early Rising, Devoted to Study;' it would +never, never do. We must express what we mean in a single word if +necessary." + +"Then let us get one," said Gwin. "You have not the least idea what a +headache I had last night searching in the dictionary and cudgelling my +brains; but a sensible word which would express all our meaning I could +not get." + +"Let us think what our meaning clearly is," said Elma. + +"Don't you know that yet?" exclaimed Bessie. "The society is to be +formed as an incentive to make us work extra hard. You know," she added +"I always think the motives of school-life are quite wrong." + +"Oh, do listen to the words of Miss Wisdom," said Elma, in a very +mocking tone. + +Bessie's big gray eyes flashed for a moment with indignation; but she +soon recovered her usual calm. + +"I think the motives of school are wrong," she repeated; "there are +prizes offered, and there is a lot of emulation--" + +"And how could we live without emulation?" cried Alice. "Why, it is the +very breath of life." + +"But the desire of each to excel the other is not surely why we are sent +to school," continued Bessie. "We are sent to school because our parents +want us to learn something. They don't want us specially to get prizes, +although they are glad when we do, because they suppose that we have +accomplished some of the objects of our school life; but their real wish +is that we should know English history, and history generally, that we +should be well acquainted with geography, that we should speak French +fluently, and understand German so as to be able to converse in that +tongue, and to read the literature." + +"Oh, do listen to the bookworm," cried Elma. + +"In short," continued Bessie; "that we should become accomplished +women--that is undoubtedly the real object of school." + +"Well, we are not gainsaying it," said Gwin. "We all know, dear Bessie, +what you feel about learning; it is the breath of life to you." + +"It is, I rejoice in it," said Bessie. "A good vigorous tussle with a +tough subject is the keenest pleasure which I can possibly have." + +"But the rest of us are not made the same way," continued Gwin. "Now I +like my studies very much--that is, in moderation. When I am learning +and mastering French, and getting through my music creditably, and, in +short, going through the usual curriculum of work, I feel interested; +but I also have a delightful sense that if I work for so many hours I am +entitled to play for so many hours." + +"Oh, bother the play," interrupted Bessie. + +"You see, Bessie Challoner, that is the difference between us. I like +work just to form part of my life, but not the whole; you want work to +form the whole of your life." + +"Yes; that I do," said Bessie. + +"But now to return to the society," interrupted Elma. "We all know that +it won't be the slightest effort to Bessie to join; but she will be a +good incentive to the rest of us. She will always be at the top of the +tree, at the head of her class, and all that sort of thing. She won't +require to be told to get up early, because she always does." + +"I tell you what," interrupted Bessie; "let us put things into our rules +which will be a tug-of-war for me too. For instance, now, I am untidy." + +"Well, yes; just a little bit," said Gwin, her eyes dancing. + +"It's more than a little bit," said Bessie. "Oh, Gwin, you don't know +what a nuisance it is to keep my room in order, and sometimes I forget +the things dear mother tells me, and I am impatient with poor little +Judy, who takes, I must say, a fiendish delight in putting my things in +hiding. Now, our rules might include tidiness of person and order +generally. It's no trouble to me to keep my books in order, nor my mind +in order; but I do hate washing my hands before every meal, and brushing +my hair and doing it up in a fashionable roll at the back of my head." + +"Oh, my dear child," said Elma, "do you imagine for a moment that that +excrescence at the back of your head is fashionable? I never saw +anything more dowdy." + +"Dowdy? Is it?" said Bessie. "I spent five minutes over it this morning, +and twisted it up three times in order to give it that horrid little +handle of a jug look which you all aspire to. Well, well, I don't +suppose we need add to our rules that the girls who belong to the +society are to be fashionable." + +"It would be a really good idea if we did," said Elma. "I cannot see why +schoolgirls should be a lot of frumps. Our society is to effect a +certain object which can never be acquired unaided in a great school +like Middleton. We want to be as ladylike, as refined, as nice as if we +belonged to a very small and select school. We get the best teaching at +Middleton, but I don't suppose we get the best manners." + +"Well, let us add all these things to the rules," said Gwin, "and let us +begin to put them down at once. First, as to the name. Until we can +think of a better we must call it the 'Mutual Improvement Society.'" + +"A hateful word," said Bessie. "The M.I.S.!" + +"Yes, it does sound priggish," said Elma. + +"Well, I dare say some one will have genius enough to think of a more +flashy and brilliant name," said Gwin, "but for the present we will call +it the 'Mutual Improvement,' for that is exactly what it means. Now then +for the rules." + +As Gwin spoke she drew in front of her a sheet of foolscap paper; and, +dipping her pen in ink, looked eagerly at her three young companions. + +"Rule I.," she said. + +"For goodness' sake," cried Bessie, "let Rule I. apply to study. Do let +down lightly with regard to tidiness and fashionable hair, and all that +sort of thing." + +"Yes, we will begin about the most important matters first," said Gwin. +Here she began to write rapidly in pencil. "I must copy this out in my +best and most copperplate hand presently," she continued; "but while we +are correcting matters and getting down our rules somehow pencil will +do. Well, Rule I. Shall it be something like this, girls? 'The members +of this society are expected to aim for the top of the class in each +branch of their study at Middleton School. They are expected to gain at +least one prize at the midsummer examination.'" + +"That sounds rather like emulation coming in," interrupted Bessie. + +"It must come in, Bessie--it must," said Elma. "We must have something +to work for." + +"I thought the love of the thing--" began poor Bessie. + +"Oh, Bessie Challoner, do shut up. Yes, Gwin, that first rule goes very +well," said Elma. "We are to aim for the top of the class, and we are to +secure at least one prize each. Hurrah! for the Mutual Improvement +Society! Now, then let us get to Rule II." + +"That applies to deportment," said Gwin. "'The members of the Mutual +Improvement Society are to aim at ladylike manners, they are to refrain +from slang in conversation, and they are to refuse to make friends with +girls who indulge too largely in that special form of vulgarity.' Poor +Kitty Malone!" + +"But she does not talk slang," said Bessie. "She talks Ireland, and +Ireland and England are as far apart as the poles." + +"Rule III.," continued Gwin, "relates to tidiness; and now, Bessie, +comes your tug of war. 'The members of the society must engage to keep +their home things in perfect order, as well as their school desks. They +must be neat in their persons, exquisitely clean with regard to hands +and teeth, and tidy with regard to hair.'" + +"I don't think I'll join," said Bessie. + +"Nonsense, Bessie; it was you who told us to put all this in. I, as a +matter of course, always do these things," said Gwin, looking very sweet +and the essence of young ladyhood as she spoke. + +"Oh, yes, you dear old thing, you are perfect; but you don't live in the +sort of ramshackle house we do," said Bessie. "However, never mind. I am +quite agreeable to go in for the tug-of-war. And, now, is there anything +else?" + +"Oh yes, there is," said Elma, "and I think it is a most important +thing. 'The members of the Society, as far as they possibly can, are to +adhere to fashionable dress, to hair done in a stylish manner, and in +short to that distinction of appearance which ought to characterize the +lady of the present day.'" + +"Well done, Elma," said Gwin, "that is a capital rule." + +"It is a hateful rule," said Bessie. "I really don't think I can join. I +don't know what fashionable clothes are. I never study the fashions. I +have not the slightest idea whether sleeves are worn stuck out to the +size of a balloon or skin-tight to the arm. All I ask for in a sleeve is +that it should be comfortable; all I ask for in a dress is that I should +not know I have it on. I like to be warm in winter and cool in summer. +More I do not ask for." + +"Then the rule will do you a wonderful lot of good," said Gwin. "And now +is it decided? If so we will draw up the rules in proper form, and----" + +"I tell you what," said Bessie. "I have thought of a name and a good one +too. Let us call the society the 'Tug-of-war Society.'" + +"Well done," said Gwin; "that will be capital. And now is there to be a +subscription or is there not?" + +"Oh, certainly," said Alice. "It would make it much more distinguished, +and prevent too many girls asking to join. We want to have the +Tug-of-War Society rather select, don't we?" + +"I suppose so," said Gwin; "but I don't think that really depends upon +the amount of the subscription. What do you say to half a guinea, +girls?" + +Alice looked thoughtful, and Elma's face turned rather pale; but she was +the first to say she thought Gwin's suggestion an admirable one. + +"Then that is all right," said Gwin, "and I will set to work to write +out the rules as neatly as I can. After they are all set out in due +form, we can see if there are any improvements to be suggested." + +Gwin set to work, bending low over her foolscap paper, and Alice offered +to help her. Elma and Bessie wandered out of the room, and soon their +conversation turned to the much-discussed subject of Kitty. + +Bessie stood up warmly for the harum-scarum Irish girl, as Elma called +her. + +"She has a lot of good in her," said Bessie warmly. "She would be a +splendid girl if she were tamed down a little. I really don't think we +want to take much of the fire out of her; but if she would only restrain +some of her wild speeches it would be all the better; for if she remains +as frank as she is at present to the end of the chapter she cannot help +making enemies." + +"I want to ask you a question, Bessie," said Elma, dropping her voice to +a low tone; "is it true that Kitty Malone is rich?" + +"Rich?" echoed Bessie. "I really cannot tell you." + +"I thought you might happen to know, as you have made such chums with +her. She is your greatest friend now at Middle ton School, is she not?" + +"Certainly not," replied Bessie. "What do you mean by asking me such a +strange question, Elma? Alice is far and away my greatest friend, and +after Alice I like Gwin best." + +"Oh, everybody likes Gwin Harley," said Elma; "who could help it? She is +so beautiful to look at, and she has such a delightful, lovely home." + +"I cannot see that her having a lovely, delightful home has anything to +do with our liking her," said honest Bessie. + +"Not to you perhaps," answered Elma, and a queer look, half-wistful, +half-defiant, came into her eyes. + +"I thought you would be sure to be able to tell me if Kitty were rich," +she said again after a pause. + +"I cannot. You must ask Alice--she lives with Alice. She has plenty of +pretty dresses, and all that sort of thing; but I don't know anything +about her having money." + +"I will run into the house this minute and ask Alice," said Elma. + +"Do, of course, if you are anxious; but I cannot imagine what difference +it makes to you." + +"No, it doesn't, but I am just curious on the subject. I won't keep you +long." + +Elma dashed into the house. She presently came back. + +"I have found out all about it," she said. + +"All about what?" asked Bessie. + +"What I went into the house for. How forgetful you are, Bessie!" + +"I was wondering if I might steal into the library," said Bessie. "I did +not get all the information I wanted about magnetic iron ore, but--Well, +what is it, Elma?" + +"Kitty Malone is rich, very rich, and----" + +"I can't see that it matters," said Bessie--"I mean to us." + +"Oh, but it matters a good deal. You don't understand. I shall certainly +vote that we ask her to join the Tug-of-War Society." + +"You will?" cried Bessie--a look of great pleasure came into her eyes. +"Then I am really glad, for to join such a society would do Kitty more +good than anything else in the world. Only the nicest girls will belong, +and she will get at once into the best set. She is as wild as she can +be, but she has got plenty of honor; and if she once gave her word that +she would do a certain thing no one would do it better." + +"Let us have her by all means. Let us put it to the vote as soon as we +go back to the house," said Elma. "Come Bessie, no slinking away in the +direction of that fascinating library. They have nearly copied the +rules, and we are to read them over and make comments." + +"I think it will be a delightful society," said Bessie. "I am sure it +will do me good." + +"It is meant to do us all good," said Elma. "Tug-of-war! I should rather +think it will be! How I shall hate that terrible effort to get to the +head of my class; not that I am stupid or dislike my lessons." + +"That would be the nice part as far as I am concerned," said Bessie; +"but oh! the fashionable sleeves and the stylish hair. Oh dear! I often +feel inclined to have my hair cut short." + +"Well, Bessie, you would be a fool if you did," said Elma. "Your +splendid hair; why, it's nearly down to your knees." + +"Yes, and that's the bother," said Bessie, "for mother insists on my +brushing it out every night for at least ten minutes, and all that time +is taken from my books. I tell you, Elma, I would gladly change with +you." + +Elma's locks were very thin and straggly, and she could not help +coloring at this left-handed compliment; but at that moment Alice +appeared on the balcony to tell the other two girls that the rules were +ready, and that they might return to the house. They did so, and the +rules were then read carefully over (by Elma on this occasion), +criticized by Gwin, Alice, and Bessie, and finally carried as far as the +original members of the society were concerned. The next important thing +was to put to the vote who was to be asked to join and who was to be +excluded. Several girls were named, and among them Elma suddenly +introduced the name of Kitty Malone. + +"Now what do you mean by that?" said Alice, her eyes flashing angrily. +"If Kitty joins the society, I, for one, will resign." + +"But you cannot, dear," said Gwin in her placid voice. "Remember you are +one of the founders; you are bound to uphold the society now for at +least one term of its natural life. At the end of that time you are +permitted to resign, but certainly not before." + +"Then, as I presume I have a vote with regard to the election of +members, I certainly do not wish for Kitty Malone," said Alice. + +"I think the votes must go by the wishes of the majority," replied Gwin; +"does any one else want her?" + +"I do." said Elma, holding up her hand. + +"And I think it would be good for her," said Bessie. + +"Dear me, Bessie, how spiteful of you to say that," cried Alice. + +"But I do think it, Alice; I do truly." + +"Why, Bessie?" asked Gwin. + +"Well, you know there are the sort of things mentioned in our rules +which would just give Kitty the sort of restraint she wants," began +Bessie. + +"Yes, I think I begin to understand you, Bessie. I too will vote that +she is asked to join," said Gwin. + +Alice looked very sulky, but did not say anything further, and soon +afterward the girls broke up their conference. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +ELMA. + + +Kitty Malone was admitted to a low form at Middleton School, her +acquirements being the reverse of distinguished. This fact did not give +her the smallest sense of discomfort. On the contrary, she was pleased; +and although her fellow-scholars were all younger and smaller than +herself, she soon became a sort of queen among them, laughing and joking +with them, and flying round the playground with half a dozen small girls +at her heels, feasting them with unlimited chocolate and telling them +stories. She soon got through her somewhat easy lessons, and was wilder +and more incorrigible than ever. The only sober moments she seemed to +enjoy were when she was with Bessie; for Bessie Challoner took a sincere +interest in her, and was very anxious to get her into a higher form, +where she would be with girls nearer her own age, and would thus be +forced to submit to more discipline than she could enjoy with the +younger girls. Bessie also hoped great things from the Tug-of-war +Society, and soon told Kitty that she was to be asked to become a +member. + +"I will certainly join when I am asked," answered Kitty. "I have not the +least idea what you are all driving at, but I'll become a member if it's +to be in the same society with you, my darling duck of a girl!" + +Bessie then read her a copy of the rules. + +"Why, then, you can't expect me to adhere to the first of them," was +Kitty's answer. "It's no, it's no to that, Bessie. I wouldn't tell a lie +for any earthly thing, and I could not drive myself to the head of that +class. Why, I wouldn't take the place from sweet little Agnes Moore for +all the world. Why it's tears I'd bring to the pretty eyes of the +creature. Oh, I couldn't get ahead of her. I'd just as lief be at the +tail--just as lief." + +"But, Kitty, have you no ambition?" + +"Well, no, dear, I don't think I have. I never could see the fun of +taking a prize from another; it's no use I'll be in the society, not the +least bit." + +"Well, all the same it would do you good," said Bessie, "for you know +you love your father, and you said you would try to acquire knowledge to +please him." + +"Oh, where's the good of reminding me of that," said Kitty, looking very +thoughtful and somewhat pensive. "Why did you come out with it, Bessie, +aroon; it's fretting the heart out of me you are. Dear old dad! there's +nothing I wouldn't do for him." + +"I am glad I did remind you, Kitty, for you know you have come here to +learn." + +"Ah, dear, I'll shut my ears if you talk any more in that sort of way," +said Kitty. "If I must learn, I must; but don't be reminding me of it, +there's a good creature--it's play out of school if it's work in." + +"Much work you do, Kitty! Why, I always see you laughing and winking +and twinkling your eyes, and pushing your feet about." + +"Pushing my feet about! And is it to keep them in a corner I would, +pretty feet like mine! Why, they are meant to be seen. That's the only +reason why I object to a long dress, because it does not show so much of +the feet and ankles. Ah, sure it's dear little ankles I have, as neat +and trim as you please." + +"Kitty, you are getting wilder than ever." + +"Well, darling, I'll cool down if you'll just let me give you one of my +big hugs." + +"I really can't; my ribs are quite sore. You must not do it to-day. I +told you, you might once a week, but no oftener." + +Kitty sank down on the nearest chair and looked comically miserable. + +"Go on with the next rule, Bessie," she said, after a moment. "I want to +belong to the Tug-of-war because it's close to you I'll be, darling. +What's the next rule?" + +Bessie read it out to her. + +"Why, now, it's the pink of a lady I am myself," said Kitty. "I was +always told I was; I don't mind that rule in the least. There won't be +much of a tug-of-war there; if Kitty Malone is to be a lady, why, a lady +she is. I wish you could hear Aunt Honora and Aunt Bridget talking about +our ancient family and our long and royal descent. Go on, Bessie; that's +not so bad as taking the prize from poor little Agnes. What's Rule +III.?" + +Rule III. was read aloud to Kitty, who shook her head solemnly several +times. + +"Now, to be frank with you," she said, "there's only one bond between +Alice and me, and that is we do make a froth of the things in our +drawers; and if we are both to struggle against our besetting infirmity, +it will go hard with us; but there, it will be fun to see her struggling +to be tidy and all to no purpose. I think I'll join on that account. I +shall like to see her fighting her drawers. I know if I'm put to it I +can keep mine twenty times tidier." + +"I am now coming to Rule IV.," said Bessie; this she read aloud with +some qualms, for she disliked it so very much herself. Kitty's eyes +flashed with pleasure. + +"Now, that is after my own heart," she cried, "fashionable dresses are +they, and hair done up in style. Mavourneen! mavourneen! you will have +to wear a fringe!" + +Kitty burst into peals of laughter. + +"Oh, Bessie," she said, "I have just been longing to attack that head of +yours. I'll bring my little tongs along, and I'll curl up such a lovely +fringe on your great intellectual forehead." + +"You'll do nothing of the kind," said Bessie, clasping her hands over +her head to protect her thick, long hair. + +"But you must, mavourneen, you must if you join the Tug-of-war Society. +Oh, it's beautiful you'll look! And I tell you what it is, Bessie, I'll +lend you the patterns of my new sleeves--those that are all crinkled +from above the elbow down to the wrist, and puffed ever so much at the +top, with little tucks, and little insertions, and little--" + +"Kitty, I won't listen to you for another moment. I shall try to dress +as neatly as I can, and perhaps I must twist my hair into a more stylish +coil at the back of my head, but beyond that I absolutely refuse to go." + +"Well, it's a delicious rule," said Kitty Malone, "and I hope I'll work +you round after a bit, Bessie. It seems but fair that if I yield to you +with regard to the other rules you ought to yield to me about Rule IV. I +am sure if I do take the prize from poor little Agnes Moore, and if I +never speak a word of slang, and if I keep my abominable drawers as neat +as a new pin, and all my clothes in perfect order, that you on your part +ought to wear a good thick, heavy fringe, and have your hair pointed out +ever so far at the back in the way it is worn in the present day. I'd +love to do it; and you have magnificent hair, Bessie, aroon! so you +have." + +"I must ask you to leave me now, Kitty," was Bessie's answer. "You are a +very funny girl, and there is a great deal that I like in you; but I +cannot neglect my studies even for you." + +"Oh, bother your studies!" answered Kitty. + +Bessie, however, was quite in earnest, and Kitty had to leave her. + +The next day there was another meeting at Gwin Harley's house, and the +members of the Tug-of-war Society were formally initiated into the +mysteries of what they had undertaken. About ten girls joined in all, +and it was decided to limit the number to these until the end of the +present term. In addition to the four chief rules it was also clearly +understood that the members were all to be absolutely faithful the one +to the other, that no member of the Tug-of-war Society was to speak +against another member; on the contrary, she was to uphold her through +thick and thin, to help her if possible, to aid her in moments of +difficulty, and to rejoice with her in moments of triumph. Once a week +the members were to meet at each other's houses. There they were to have +tea together, to discuss the rules if necessary, but at any rate to have +a pleasant time. As the summer advanced picnics were to be inaugurated +on Saturdays, and fun of some sort or another was to be the vogue. + +Kitty, who had dressed herself for this auspicious occasion in a dress +of the palest blue, with a silver sheen running in zigzag lines all over +it, whose black hair was curled up on her forehead and coiled +fantastically round the back of her head, whose eyes were shining and +wreathing themselves in all sorts of smiles, could scarcely restrain her +spirits while the rest of the girls were debating on the rules. + +Finally Gwin laid a little box on the table, and asked the new members +to subscribe their half-guinea each. Each girl dropped her +half-sovereign and sixpence into the box with the exception of Elma, +who, coloring a little, said she would bring it to Gwin the next day. No +one made any remark, as it was well known in the school that Elma was +anything but well off, and Gwin privately resolved to subscribe for her +without saying anything about it. + +Then the girls had tea in Gwin's own private sitting-room, and afterward +they wandered about the lawns, and returned home in the cool of the +evening. On this occasion Elma found herself side by side with Kitty +Malone. Kitty was walking quietly; she had exhausted some of her +emotions during the hours that she had played tennis, and laughed and +chatted with the other members of the Tug-of-war Society, and when Elma +put her hand on her arm, and looked up at her half-timidly and +half-beseechingly, Kitty stopped short, and said in her hearty, frank +voice: + +"And what may you be wanting with me, Elma? Is it a favor I can do you; +because if it is I am sure you are welcome to it with all the pleasure +in life." + +"You are a good-natured girl, Kitty," said Elma; "I always felt that +from the very first. Shall we drop a little behind the others? The fact +is I don't want every one to hear what I am going to say to you." + +"If it is a secret, darling, don't tell it to me," said Kitty, "for I +cannot keep it. I always say so quite frankly. I say to each person who +comes to me with a private confidence, 'Confide nothing in Kitty Malone, +for Kitty Malone is a sieve.'" + +"Oh, but it would never do for you to be that," said Elma, who was +somewhat alarmed and secretly greatly disgusted. "A girl is not worth +her salt if she tells what is confided to her by another girl; and of +course, now that you have become a member of the Tug-of-war Society, if +you are found blabbing any of our secrets at Middleton School I don't +know what will happen!" + +"I wonder what would happen!" cried Kitty; "it would be quite nice to +find out. Do tell me, Elma." + +"How can I when you don't understand," said Elma. "You would be wanting +in all honor; none of us ten girls would speak to you again." + +"Wouldn't Bessie Challoner, the darling?" + +"Certainly not. She could not; none of us could." + +"I shouldn't like that," said Kitty thoughtfully. "I did not know, when +I joined the Tug-of-war, that I was to be burdened with secrets. And am +I not to explain to any of the other girls why I am moving heaven and +earth to get to the very head of the class? Am I not to breathe the real +reason, when I am taking poor little Agnes Moore's place, and breaking +her heart, the pretty lamb? Is that so?" + +"You certainly are not," said Elma. "Dear me, Kitty, what a very +extraordinary specimen you are!" + +"Well, don't scold me, for pity's sake," said Kitty. "I am so sick of +every one telling me that I am an extraordinary specimen. In Ireland +they think I am a very fine specimen; but here! oh, it's nothing but +holding up of hands and rolling up of eyes, and 'Oh, dear, let us get +out of her way!' and 'Oh, dear, how queer she looks in her grand +clothes!' and--and----" + +"Do stop talking, Kitty. You are the most awful rattlepate----" + +"There, now, on you go," said poor Kitty. "I'm a rattlepate, am I? It +seems that I can never speak but I get into somebody's black books." + +"You don't get into mine, I am sure," said Elma. "But I think you ought +to be greatly obliged to me for telling you what is your plain duty with +regard to the Tug-of-war Society. It is just like a secret society; our +rules are our own, and not a soul who is not a member must know anything +about them." + +"Well, I won't tell," said Kitty. "When I say a thing I stick to it. I +won't split--there I that's flat and I suppose I am obliged to you, +Elma." + +"Yon ought to be," answered Elma. "Why, what a terrible scrape you would +have got into. And now, then, Kitty, I have something else to tell you." + +"Well, and what is it?" asked Kitty. + +"First, are you not pleased that you are a member of the Tug-of-war +Society?" + +"To be sure I am. I think it is awfully nice of all you girls to ask me +to join." + +"It is a great distinction," continued Elma; "a new girl like you, one +who is not known a bit in the school! Out of the whole school we have +only selected ten, including the founders, and you are one. You ought to +think yourself in rare luck." + +"So I do." + +"And you ought to be very grateful." + +"So I am." + +"But do you know whom you ought to be grateful to?" + +"Well, I suppose to Bessie." + +"Not a bit of it; it is to me you ought to be grateful. But for me you +would not be a member of the Tug-of-war Society." + +"But for you, Elma?" + +"No." + +"Was it you who got me asked to join?" + +"I was the one who insisted on your being asked to join us. I put it +plainly to Bessie and to Gwin, and they quite agreed with me. Alice was +the only one who voted against you." + +"Oh, just like her, spiteful thing!" said Kitty, coloring with +annoyance. "Well, I am sure, Elma, I am obliged to you, and if there's +anything I can do--" + +"I am coming to that," said Elma; "it's not much, but if you could--" + +"Could what? Why, I'll do anything. Is it one of my gowns you want to +borrow?" + +"No, no. What extraordinary ideas you hare!" + +"Oh, there you begin again," said Kitty. "I never can speak right. Well, +what can I do for you, Elma?" + +"If you could--just until next Monday--if you could lend me some--some +money," said Elma, coloring as she spoke, her voice faltering, and her +eyes seeking the ground. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +THE LITTLE HOUSE IN CONSTANTINE ROAD. + + +Kitty stared at her companion for a moment, then she put her hand into +her pocket and took out a very fat sealskin purse. She opened it and +held it out to Elma. + +"Help yourself," she said. + +Elma looked into the purse--golden sovereigns lay there in delicious +rows. There must have been at least fifteen sovereigns in the purse. + +"Take as many as you like," said Kitty; "you are heartily welcome." + +"You don't mean it; you can't," replied Elma, turning very pale. + +"Why, what are you hesitating about? You said you wanted some money. +Dear heart alive! everybody wants money in Ireland, we are always +borrowing one from the other. Take as many of those yellow boys as you +fancy, and say no more about it." + +"I am obliged to you, Kitty," said Elma. "I think you are quite +splendid; but can I--do you really mean it--can I take five?" + +"Five, bless you! Take them all if you want them. I have only to write +to the dear old man at home, and ask him to send me a fiver or a tenner, +and he'll do it. You need have no qualms, and----" + +"But when must I give them back?" + +"Whenever you like." + +"You don't really require them on Monday, do you?" + +"I don't require them at any special date. Pay me when it is convenient. +Here, you may as well have ten." + +"I could not; it is too much," said Elma. She put her hands behind her +back, her teeth were chattering, and she was trembling all over. She was +afraid that Kitty must read her through and through. + +"Oh, what is the use of bothering?" cried Kitty Malone. "If you won't +take ten, take eight. Let me see, that leaves me seven over. Seven +sovereigns. I don't ever want to spend any money here. Of course I may +require a new dress when the fashions change. I must keep strictly up to +date now that I have joined the Tug-of-war; but in case I do, I'll just +send a wire to Aunt Bridget in Dublin and she'll send me over a beauty. +Ah, she's a dear old soul, Aunt Bridget is. There, Elma, do take the +money and be quick about it." + +Elma--feeling sick and low, hating herself as she had never hated +herself before--dipped her greedy fingers into Kitty's sealskin purse, +and soon extracted eight of the golden sovereigns. These she slipped +into her pocket. + +"I cannot tell you how grateful I am to you," she said. + +"Not another word!" cried Kitty. "I have forgotten all about it already. +Now shall we have a run? I want to catch up to Bessie; I have not had a +word with her for the whole of the day." + +Elma no longer required to keep Kitty Malone in the background. She had +now gained her object. Hoping against hope to extract from half a +sovereign to fifteen shillings from the generous-hearted Irish girl, she +suddenly found herself the lucky possessor of eight whole sovereigns. +Never in the whole course of her life had Elma possessed anything +approaching such a sum. Her mother was very poor. She had only one +sister, a daily governess. All Elma's people were hard up, as the +expression goes, and Elma herself only attended Middleton School because +an aunt paid her school fees. Hardly ever could the girl secure even +half a crown for her own pleasure. She hated poverty, she detested the +small privations which slender means involved. She was in no sense of +the word a high, refined character; on the contrary, there was something +small in her nature, something little about her. She had ever cringed to +the wealthy. She had made friends with Gwin Harley, who was rich, +high-spirited, and generous, but also very conscientious, and with +abundance of common sense. A glance had told Elma that she could never +ask Gwin to lend her money; but Kitty--innocent, frank, generous +Kitty--had proved an all too easy prey. + +At that moment Elma despised Kitty as much as she was grateful to her. +The eight pounds, which she might return whenever she liked, lay lightly +in her pocket; she almost danced in her excitement and sense of triumph. +Of course Kitty would never tell--that went without saying; and in the +meantime she was rich beyond her wildest dreams. The girls had joined +forces when they came up to the stream which led across a wide field +called the Willow Meadow. Kitty linked her hand inside Bessie's arm, and +Elma and Alice walked side by side. + +"Well," exclaimed Alice, "how did you get on with her, Elma?" + +"With whom?" asked Elma. + +"Oh, need you ask? That detestable Kitty Malone. I saw you sucking up to +her, and wondered why." + +"I wish you would not use such horrid, vulgar words, Alice," said Elma. +"You know you are really breaking the rules of the Tug-of-war. We are +requested not to make use of slang." + +"I forgot," said Alice. "But if it comes to that," she continued, "I +believe I shall have to leave the society if I can never express my +feelings with regard to Kitty Malone." + +"But do you really dislike her as much as ever?" asked Elma, who, shabby +and mean as she was, in her poor little soul could scarcely bring +herself to run down generous Kitty just then. + +"Dislike her!" cried Alice. "I hate her--there! I suppose that's flat +and plain enough." + +"It certainly is." + +"But you don't mean to say--it is impossible, Elma--that you see +anything to like in her?" + +"Well, of course," answered Elma--who wished to propitiate Alice, for +her nature was to be all things to all men--"I can see at a glance that +she is not your style; she has not got your cleverness and refinement, +dear Alice." + +"Oh, bother!" cried Alice. But all the same she was pleased, and when +Elma tucked her small hand inside of her arm Alice did not shake her +off. + +"Any one can see that," continued Elma Lewis; "but I don't think she is +quite so bad as you paint her, Alice." + +Alice's private opinion of Elma was that she was a little toad, and she +now managed to extricate herself from the smaller girl's clasp. + +"I shall never like her," she said. "There is no good in your praising +her to me. If you mean to be her friend you must do so from a double +motive." + +"How uncharitable of you!" cried Elma, coloring crimson as she spoke. + +"Oh, I can guess it very well, my dear," pursued Alice. "But for you she +would not be a member of the Tug-of-war. What would have been a +delightful society, a pleasure to the best girls at Middleton School, +will be nothing whatever but a ridiculous farce, a scene of high comedy, +something contemptible, now that Kitty Malone has joined it. But for you +she would never have been asked to join. Why did you do it, Elma?" + +"For no reason in particular," answered Elma. + +"That is certainly not true, and you know it." + +"I cannot think why you speak to me in that tone," said Elma. "What have +I done to you that you should think so badly of me?" + +"Oh, I don't think badly of you, Elma, not specially; but I have always +seen that whatever you did, you did with a reason. In your own way you +are clever, you are extremely worldly wise. There are certain people who +would commend you; but you are not like the rest of us. You are not like +Gwin for instance, nor like Bessie, nor like me. Yes, I will frankly say +so, I am better than you, Elma. I have not got your double motives for +everything. You are only a girl now; I don't know what you will be when +you are a woman!" + +The thought of the eight sovereigns so comfortably reposing in her +pocket made Elma able to bear this very direct attack. She determined to +take it good-humoredly; there was no use whatever in quarreling with +Alice. Accordingly she said cheerfully: + +"You may think what you like of me, Ally, but I hope in the course of +years that you will find I am not so bad as you paint me." + +Shortly afterward the girls parted, and each went on her way to her +special home. Bessie ran briskly up the short avenue which led to her +house, waving farewells to her companions as she did so. Alice and Kitty +were obliged to content themselves one with the other; and Elma, in the +highest good-humor, her heart bubbling over with bliss, departed in the +direction of her own humbler residence. She had to walk quite a mile and +a half, and at the end of that time she found herself in a much poorer +part of the large suburb where Middleton School was situated. The houses +here were of a humble description--not even semidetached, but standing +in long, dismal rows, a good many of them backing on to a +railway-cutting. These houses boasted of no small gardens, but ran flush +with the road. They were built of the universal yellow brick, and were +about as ugly as they could well be. + +Elma paused at No. 124 Constantine Road. As she did so, a high, rasping, +and fretful voice screamed to her from an upper window: + +"You are later than ever to-day, Elma, and mother has been fretting +herself into hysterics. Do come in at once and be quick about it." + +Elma mounted the two or three steps which led to the hall door, and +pulled the bell with considerably more energy than was her wont. The +sovereigns were in her pocket; they made all the difference to her +between misery and happiness. She entered the house in high good-humor. + +"What is it, Carrie?" she called to the fretful voice, which was now +approaching nearer. + +The next moment a slatternly-looking girl appeared at the head of the +stairs. + +"It's very easy for you to ask what is it," cried its owner, speaking in +high dudgeon. "You promised to be in between five and six, and it is now +between seven and eight. Here is all my chance of an evening's fun +knocked on the head. It's just like you, Elma; that it is." + +"Oh, never mind now; please don't scold me," said Elma. "What is +it--about mother; has she been bad again?" + +"Oh, it's the usual thing; she has had one of those dismal letters from +father. I can't imagine why she thinks anything about them. It came just +when we were all sitting down to dinner, and she began to cry in that +feeble sort of fashion." + +"Oh, don't, Carrie; she will hear you," said Elma. "Pray go back to your +room, and I'll be with you in a minute. I have something to tell you. +You won't be quite so miserable when you hear my news." + +Carrie stared at Elma, and then slowly backed until she reached a very +minute bedroom which she and Elma shared together. + +Elma ran briskly upstairs. Turning to her right, she knocked at a +certain door; waited for an answer, but none came; then turned the +handle and went in. The Venetian blinds were down here, and the form of +a woman was seen lying in the center of a big bed. + +"Is that you, Elma?" said a voice; and then the head was buried once +more in the pillows, and no further notice whatever was taken. + +"Yes, mother, I am here," answered Elma. "I was thinking you might like +something nice for your supper--a crab or a lobster, or something of +that sort. Which would be your preference, mother?" + +"A crab or a lobster!" muttered Mrs. Lewis. "You might as well ask me if +I should like a bottle of champagne, or some caviare. One is about as +likely to be forthcoming as the other." + +"I tell you you may choose," said Elma. "I have my hat still on, and +I'll go as far as the fishmonger's, and bring in either a lobster or a +crab." + +Mrs. Lewis raised herself on her elbow as Elma spoke. + +"What are you dreaming about?" she said. "Where have you got the money?" + +"Never mind. I have got the money. Which Would be your preference?" + +"Oh, crab, dear; crab. I like it when it's well dressed; but then Maggie +never can do anything properly." + +"I'll dress it on this occasion," said Elma. "You shall have a good +supper--crab and salad, and--There mother, do keep up heart again; you +give way too much." + +"Ah, child," said poor Mrs. Lewis, "I have had another terrible letter. +He says he is starving; he cannot get work. I made the greatest possible +mistake in allowing him to leave the country." + +"You could do nothing else," said Elma, with a little stamp of her foot. +"You know he would not help you in any way; he had to leave. But there, +mother, you shall tell me the dismal news after tea. You will feel ever +so much better when you have partaken of the dainty meal I mean to get +for you." + +Mrs. Lewis did not say anything further. Elma bent down, touched her +parent on her brow with the lightest possible caress, and then stepped +on tiptoe out of the room. + +"Poor mother!" she muttered. "It is surprising the kind of things that +comfort one; she is soothed at the thought of crab for supper with +salad. Well, that is all right; she will be as amiable and petting to me +as possible for the rest of the day. Now, then, for Carrie. A loose, +untidy, badly, hung together girl like Carrie is a trial to any sister. +However, I know the sort of thing that pleases her. I must be very +careful of my treasure-trove. I shall not spend it lightly; but in +giving my family small unexpected surprises it will be doing me an +immensely good turn." + +Elma now entered the room where Carrie was fuming up and down. + +"Well, what have you to say for yourself, miss?" she cried, when her +younger sister put in an appearance. + +"Only that I am very sorry, Carrie; but to be honest with you, I quite +forgot that you wanted to go out this afternoon. Did I not tell you +that I was engaged to tea at Gwin Harley's?" + +"You are forever with that odious girl," said Carrie. + +"Gwin Harley an odious girl! What in the world do you mean?" + +"What I say. Oh, of course I have seen her, and I know she's pretty, or +some people would think her so; in my opinion she's vastly too stuck up; +and so Sam Raynes says. Sam saw her last Sunday in church, and he said +she wasn't a bit his style." + +"Oh, pray, don't quote Sam Raynes to me," said Elma. "Well, Carrie, of +course I had tea with Gwin, and of course she's about the nicest girl in +the world; and Kitty Malone was there, that scamp of an Irish girl. Oh, +she's not so bad when you get to know her better. And Alice Denvers was +there, and Bessie Challoner. We had quite a nice time. Of course I told +you about that society that I have joined. Well, there are about ten +girls members now, quite the elite of the school. I believe we shall do +a vast lot of good." + +"What does it matter to me," said Carrie, stamping her foot. "I have +lost my pleasant afternoon with Sam. He and his sister promised to meet +me. I was to go with them to the Crystal Palace. Oh, it's too +provoking." + +Carrie still fumed up and down the room. + +"And I have such a dull time," she continued; "those children are quite +past bearing. They wear the very life out of me. See what that little +imp of a Claude did to my dress this afternoon." + +As Carrie spoke she held up a decidedly shabby dress, which bore a huge +rent at one side. + +"He caught it in his nasty little boot," said the girl. "He was +scrambling up on my knee, and made such a fuss, and there happened to be +a tiny hole, and then he wriggled and wriggled, and made it worse and +worse. The skirt is not fit to wear. I don't know what I shall do. I +really have not a blessed farthing to buy myself another new thing." + +Elma made a careful calculation. + +"How much was that stuff a yard?" she asked suddenly. + +"What does it matter, Elma? It's worn out now, and there's an end of it. +You cannot buy me another gown; so where's the good of talking." + +"But perhaps I can," said Elma dubiously. + +"My dear Elma what do you mean?" + +"Well, I am not quite certain, of course," said Elma; "and it would have +to be very cheap--very cheap indeed. But what color would you like, +Carrie?" + +"Oh, blue," said Carrie, "rather light in shade. I love blue; and Sam +says I look sweet in it." + +"If you begin to quote Sam again I don't think I'll give you sixpence +for anything. You know perfectly well that I loathe and detest him." + +"Oh, that's your way," said Carrie. "You think it is very fine to detest +all the young men in our set; but I tell you Sam is a right good fellow, +and he has his ideas as much as anybody. He is going to get a raise, +too, at Christmas, and--" + +"Are you engaged to him, Carrie?" asked Elma suddenly. + +"Not yet. Oh, we don't think of any such thing; but I like to go with +him. He is great fun, and so is Florrie. Florrie doesn't mind a bit how +often she acts gooseberry." + +Elma went and stood by the window. She looked gloomily out. How shabby +and sordid her home was; how miserable everything seemed! Carrie was +really a trial to any sister. Elma wondered if in the future she would +have to tolerate Sam Raynes as her brother-in-law. A sick feeling crept +over her. She was not a particularly refined girl; but in her school +life she associated with girls of a totally different caliber from poor +Carrie, and a shudder ran through her frame as she thought over her +sister. + +"If you mean anything by that talk about a new frock, you had better +speak out plainly," said Carrie. "If you can really give me money to get +the stuff, something pretty and cheap, I could buy it to-night; there is +still plenty of time." + +"Put on your hat and we'll go out at once," said Elma. + +Carrie rushed to her wardrobe, took down her frowzy, over-trimmed hat, +stuck it on her towzled head, drew a pair of gloves up her arms, and +announced herself ready. The two girls ran briskly downstairs. Mrs. +Lewis called from her bedroom after them: + +"Where are you two going?" she said. "Am I to be left alone in the +house?" + +"No, Maggie is in the kitchen," called out Carrie. + +"Oh, I am sick of being by myself, and I want my supper." + +"I must go out to choose the crab, mother," said Elma. + +"Oh, the crab," replied Mrs. Lewis in a mollified tone. "If you are +going really to get one, Elma, be sure you see that it has plenty of +coral in it, and choose nice, crisp lettuce. I care nothing for crab +without lettuce." + +"All right mother; I'll manage," said Elma. + +The girls found themselves in the street. + +"So you are going to get mother crab and lettuce for supper," cried +Carrie. "Then I suppose after all you don't mean to give me money to buy +stuff for a new dress?" + +"Yes, I do, Carrie, if you'll only have patience. I said I would, and +there's an end of it." + +"But how have you got the money?" + +"Never you mind; I have got it." + +Carrie walked on, her spirits rose, and she began to talk in her high +staccato voice, allowing each person who passed to hear what she was +saying. + +"This is Thursday," she said. "I shall get up at daylight to-morrow +morning, and I shall cut out the dress and put it in hand. I am always +home between four and five in the afternoon, so I can work at it again +until late at night. Then on Saturday, thank goodness! there's a whole +holiday. Oh, I shall manage to get it done by the evening, and Sam and I +can have a jolly time together in the park on Sunday." + +"We will buy the crab first," said Elma, "and then we can call at +Macpherson's on our way home." + +"They have sweet things at Macpherson's," said Carrie. "You really are a +very good-natured old thing, Elma." + +"I am glad you think so," said Elma, her lips parted in a slightly +satirical smile. + +Carrie, now beaming all over with good-humor, assisted in the choosing +of the crab; she further volunteered to carry this luxury home, and +suggested that radishes would be a great addition to the lettuce. + +"Is there anything else you think mother would like?" asked Elma. + +"Oh, a bottle of really good Guinness' stout," said Carrie. + +"Capital, Carrie! Why, you are getting quite a head for housekeeping. +We'll give mother such a good supper, and it will do her a world of +good." + +"Poor old dear, so it will," said jubilant Carrie. + +Having purchased the materials for an appetizing meal, the girls now +entered a large establishment which, being supported by people of +extremely slender means, could only afford to indulge in the cheapest +articles. Carrie desired the shopman to exhibit cheap materials in +different shades of blue. She finally selected one, turquoise in color, +and wonderfully pretty, which cost the large sum of sevenpence +three-farthings per yard. She ordered the required length to be cut, and +Elma took out her purse to pay for it. + +She did not at all want her sister to see how many sovereigns that purse +contained, and turned her back slightly as she laid one on the counter. + +"Well, how you got it baffles me!" cried Carrie. + +"Pray, don't speak so loud," said Elma; "they really will think that I +stole it if you go on giving me those sort of staccato rises of your +eyebrows. It's all the better for you; that sovereign has got you a new +dress." + +"So it has, and you are an old darling," said Carrie. "I'll tell Sam +all about you on Sunday, Elma. By the way, what a good idea; wouldn't +you like to come with us? There's Sam's cousin, Maurice, a capital +fellow--Maurice Jones." + +"Oh, no; don't speak of him," said Elma. She gave a shudder, and turned +her head aside. + +The materials for the dress were purchased, even down to the linings and +buttons; and Carrie, holding her parcel tucked comfortably under her +arm, started home, Elma accompanying her. Carrie was so excited and +delighted with her dress that she had no time even to think of the +wonderful problem as to how Elma had got the money. + +When they reached the house Elma ran into the kitchen and prepared to +dress the crab. She did so well, and when the dainty little meal was +upon the table, ran upstairs to bring her mother down. + +"Now, mother, get up at once," she said. + +"Get up. Oh. I can't," said Mrs. Lewis; "I have got such a splitting +headache." + +"But the crab is downstairs, and I have dressed it myself, just in the +way you like best. I have brought in a little cayenne pepper, too, for I +know you don't care for crab without it; and the lettuce is wonderfully +crisp and fresh, and there are some radishes. Oh, and Carrie reminded me +that you would not care for crab without your stout." + +"I know," said Mrs. Lewis in a plaintive voice; "your father would never +allow me to touch crab or lobster without stout. Ah, but those good old +days are gone!" + +"Not quite mother, for there is a bottle of Guinness's waiting at your +disposal." + +"Oh, is there?" said Mrs. Lewis. She raised herself on her elbow. "Then +I think I'll go down," she said. + +"Well, make yourself smart, mother. I shall be waiting for you, and so +will Carrie." + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +THE HEAD-MISTRESS AND THE CABBAGE-ROSE. + + +Middleton School, which consisted of from six to seven hundred girls, +was kept in a state of discipline not so much by punishments as by a +very strict code of honor. There were certain things which no Middleton +girl who respected herself would ever dream of doing. There were other +things which she would do as a matter of course. For instance, she would +uphold her school through thick and thin, allowing no outsider to run it +down. To be a member of Middleton School insured her friendship with all +the other girls in the school. The _esprit de corps_ of this celebrated +day school was exceptionally strong. Even in after-life its members met +as friends, never forgetting that they were at one time schoolfellows in +one of the best and most thorough colleges of learning in the whole of +England. + +As the fees for instruction were necessarily low, and as the school was +therefore open to all classes of girls, from the very rich to those who +had but limited means, a rule, and a very strong one, was that all money +and class distinctions were to be absolutely abolished. The girls, so +long as they belonged to the school, were absolutely on the same +footing, notwithstanding the fact that their home-lives might be very +far removed the one from the other. Among the most emphatic rules of +the school--a rule which, if it were disobeyed, would cause ostracism on +the part of the girls and the gravest reprimand, not to say a chance of +expulsion, on the part of the teachers--was the borrowing of money. +Money was supposed not to be mentioned between the girls; and as to a +poor girl borrowing from a rich, it was considered about the blackest +crime which could take place in Middleton School. Now, Elma, knew this +fact perfectly well, and when she took the eight pounds from Kitty +Malone she was aware of the grave risk which she ran. More depended on +her keeping up a good character in the school than her companions were +at all aware of. She was sent to Middleton School by an aunt who to a +certain extent had adopted her--her mother could not possibly afford to +pay the fees, small as they were. + +Elma knew well as she lay down to sleep that night that if the little +transaction between herself and Kitty were known she would be +practically ruined for life. No other girl belonging to the school would +lend money even if it were asked for, so strong was the feeling on this +head; but Kitty knew nothing about it; she had not been long at +Middleton, and the subject had not been mentioned to her. Elma sincerely +trusted to Kitty's never alluding to it. Kitty had promised not to tell; +and Elma believed, wild and erratic as she was, that when her word was +once given, she would respect it. When she had asked Kitty to lend her +money she had intended only to take half a sovereign; she wanted this in +order to pay her subscription to the Tug-of-war Society; but when Kitty +generously opened her purse and told her to help herself, the temptation +had proved far too strong. Before she quite knew what she was doing she +had taken eight sovereigns; had put herself absolutely into Kitty's +power, and had run the chance of being ruined for life. Still, that +first night she slept soundly, and awoke in the morning with a sense of +bliss. She had still a little over seven sovereigns; not her own, and +yet in one sense quite her own, for Kitty had said there was no hurry +about the replacing of the money. Oh, yes, she was quite certain that no +one would find out. She opened her sleepy eyes, yawned, and saw Carrie +sitting at the window, busily employed cutting out her dress. Elma +remarked crossly at the blaze of light. + +"Oh, don't say you mind it, you old dear," cried Carrie. "I can't see +unless I have plenty of light, and it's most important how I cut this +sleeve. I mean it to be puffy and yet not too puffy, and the elbows must +fit exactly in the right place. What a pity it is, Elma, that you and I +are not the same sort of figure. I am nearly double as big as you. It +would be so convenient if you could be my model; then I might fit my +things like a glove. Ah, well, I suppose there's nothing perfect in the +world." + +Elma turned on her other side. + +"If you talk to me any more," she said, "I shall become so cross as to +be unbearable. Go on with your dress if you must, but don't speak." + +Elma returned to the land of dreams, and Carrie cut and snipped, and +basted and pinned, until it was time for her to go downstairs to +breakfast. Elma got up at her usual hour, ate her breakfast with +scarcely a remark, and started for school. When she got there the +different members of the Tug-of-war Society were hanging about the +doors. The school was not yet opened and the girls who belonged to the +society nodded to one another and whispered and smiled. Among the party +waiting at the door were Alice Denvers, Kitty Malone, and Bessie +Challoner. Gwin Harley had not yet arrived. It was never Gwin's stately +way to be either too early or too late for school; she generally +appeared on the scene, driving up in her pretty little phaeton, just as +the clock struck nine. The other girls always made way for this dainty +little turnout, and Gwin would spring carelessly to the ground, give a +direction to the smart tiger who sat behind, and who immediately took +the reins, and then, turning with a gay nod to her companions, would +enter the school with them. + +Gwin was certainly the pride of the school. The girls who were not her +absolute friends looked at her with awe, wonder, and admiration. The +girls who were her friends bragged of the fact to their companions. It +was a pleasure even to look at Gwin, for, although she never overdressed +herself, she was always so wonderfully dainty--her neat little shoes, +her lovely stockings, the fine quality of her cambric handkerchiefs, the +delicate scent which clung to them, the glossy braids of her ever +exquisitely arranged hair, and the very set of that perfectly plain +sailor hat with its band of white ribbon, were all the acme of +perfection. Oh, they all betokened wealth and taste, taste and wealth. +No wonder the girls worshiped Gwin. She never boasted of her wealth, +she never brought it prominently forward; but for all that it pervaded +her from the top of her head to the point of her pretty bronze shoes. + +Kitty now gave Gwin an earnest and longing look. There was a peculiar +expression about Kitty's face: a sort of new, thoughtful look, as though +something was worrying her and causing her to cudgel her brains to quite +a remarkable extent. Kitty Malone had never yet been affected with +shyness, nor was she shy now. Just as Gwin's carriage appeared and the +other girls made way for it as was their wont, and Elma approached quite +close to Alice, meaning to make some remark to her, what she never +afterward remembered, Kitty ran straight up to Gwin and clasped her by +the hand. + +"I want to say something to you very badly," she began. + +"How do you do, Kitty?" answered Gwin in her pleasant high-bred voice. +"You want to say something to me? But the bell has just rung; we must go +into school." + +"I mean after school," continued Kitty. "Can I walk with you during +recess?" + +"Oh, but please, Gwin," cried Elma at that point, "you promised to walk +with me to-day; don't you remember?" + +"Yes, and you promised to walk with me, Miss Harley," exclaimed a girl +of the name of Marcia Tyndal. + +"But it is so important, Gwin," pleaded Kitty, bringing that peculiar +Irish quality into her voice which it was difficult to resist. + +"Ah, now do, Gwin," she continued; "do let me walk with you just during +this recess. The others may have you for every other recess until +Christmas; but do let me be with you just for to-day." + +"I think you must, Kitty," said Gwin. "Elma, you won't mind, will you? +Marcia, you and I can have to-morrow instead of to-day; is it a +bargain?" + +"Oh, I don't mind," said Marcia Tyndal in a good natured voice, +shrugging her fat shoulders as she spoke. + +Then the girls trooped into school, prayers began, and immediately +afterward they all assembled at their different classes. + +Kitty was restless and nervous, she could not settle to her work. She +was more _distrait_ and inattentive even than usual. The younger girls, +who delighted in her, and quite prided themselves on having her in their +class, nudged her in vain. + +"Kitty," whispered one little girl quite three years Kitty Malone's +junior, "if you don't open your history book you won't have your lesson +ready when Miss Worrick comes." + +"Oh, I know all that stupid history," cried Kitty in a low voice. "Don't +bother me, Annie, asthore. I can't be teased. I have got something in +the back of my head." + +"Something in the back of your head?" whispered Annie. + +"Yes, yes; but hush, alanna! I can't let it out; it's bothering me +entirely. There, if I must look at the stupid history, I must. What part +are we doing, Mary Davies?" + +"Oh, it's about Charles the First." + +"Poor martyr! Shame to England to cut off his head!" Kitty bent over her +book, but soon her erratic fancy had started off in another direction. +She was sent to the bottom of the class when the history lesson came on, +and was looked at with growing disfavor by Miss Worrick, a particularly +painstaking and earnest young teacher. + +"Really, Miss Malone, if this sort of thing goes on I must report you," +she said. "It is pure inattention. If you wish to take any position in +the school you must make up your mind that while in school you must +work." + +"And while out of school I must play," retorted Kitty. "Ah, then, it's +little of the play I get. If I had my share of the play I could do my +share of work." + +"Come, you must not answer me," said Miss Worrick. "Now, sit down and +read up that chapter in your history. You will not be allowed to go out +during recess this morning." + +"Not go out during recess?" cried Kitty in horror; "but it's most +important. Ah, now, do let me out; just excuse me to-day, won't you? +I'll be as good as gold to-morrow, and better; but excuse me to-day; +please, please. Say you will; for I really must go. I was to meet Gwin +Harley, the darling; and it's put out she would be awfully if I wasn't +with her. You'll let me out to-day, won't you? Please say yes." + +"I do not understand you, Miss Malone. When I say a thing I mean it. +You are not to go out during recess." + +Kitty's bright face fell; the cloud which had more or less hovered +round her during the entire morning deepened. She sank into her seat +with a heavy sigh. + +"Never mind, Kitty; we all of us have to stay in sometimes," whispered +little Mary Davies. + +"Take a chocolate out of my pocket, darlin', and don't talk to me any +more," was Kitty's answer. "I am sad past bearing. Not to see Gwin when +I had arranged it all; but I will, I must! There, take a second +chocolate if you want it; they are full of cream. But just leave me to +my own thoughts for a bit. I am so worried I don't know whether I am on +my head or my heels." + +"Silence, girls--no whispering!" called the mathematical teacher, who +now came on the scene. + +Poor Kitty's morning began badly, and it certainly was destined to go on +badly. None of her lessons were prepared with the slightest care; she +went down lower and lower in class, and each teacher gave her an +imposition or some other punishment. When recess came she alone in the +whole class was required to remain in the room. + +The rest of the girls looked at her with pity. + +"She's such an old dear, although quite the idlest and most ignorant +person I ever came across," said Mary Davies to her companions. + +"Yes," whispered another little girl with fat rosy cheeks and round +eyes; "but did you ever taste such chocolate creams? Why, they must +cost a halfpenny apiece. I do love to sit next to her; she says I may +dive my hand into her pocket as often as I like." + +"Oh, she's an old love!" echoed all the girls: "but what a pity it is +that she won't learn." + +"She does not want to learn," said Mary Davies. "Learning would spoil +her; she is a pet." + +Meanwhile in the playground Gwin Harley waited in vain for Kitty to join +her. + +"Does any one know where Kitty Malone is?" she said, addressing one of +the girls in Kitty's class. + +"She is kept in for an imposition; she did not know her history, and +Miss Worrick said she was to stay in," answered Mary Davies. + +"Oh, well, I suppose I can see her another time," said Gwin. At that +moment she met Elma's anxious eyes. + +Elma was just about to dart to the side of her friend, when, to the +amazement of all the girls, Kitty walked calmly across the playground. + +"Oh Gwin, I must speak to you; it is about Alice. You know, you and +Alice are great friends. Things get worse and worse, and they are almost +past bearing. Last night I heard her sobbing in bed. She sobbed and +sobbed, and at last I could stand no more of it, and sprang out of bed, +and bent over her and said: 'Alice, is it about me you are crying?' and +she said: 'Oh, yes, Kitty, it is;' and I said, 'And why 'Oh, yes, +Kitty?' What has poor Kitty done to you?" + +"'I am not happy,' answered Alice. 'Since you came everything has +changed; you have made my home miserable to me. I don't like your ways.' + +"'Have you made up your mind never to be friends with me?' I asked. + +"'Yes,' said Alice. 'I wish you would go away.' She sat up in bed then +with her tear-stained face, and looked at me ever so earnestly. 'Tell +mother that you would rather go to some other house--that you won't stay +here. I never could stand vulgar girls, and you are one.' + +"Oh Gwin, I felt so mad. You don't think me a vulgar girl, do you?" + +"Tell me the whole," said Gwin in a low voice. + +"Oh, there is not much more. Alice was in a regular temper. She buried +her face in the clothes, and though I tried pinching her, and pulling +her, and petting her even, not another word would she utter. Now, you +must see for yourself, Gwin, that if this sort of thing goes on I shall +have to return home, and then the old dad will be fretted, and he will +think that I don't want to learn manners nor to get learning into me. Oh +dear, I don't want to fret him, although I hate England. I have just +been wondering if you would speak to Alice." + +"Yes, certainly," answered Gwin. "I--" Her words were interrupted. + +"Miss Malone, do I see you in the playground?" said a stern voice. Miss +Worrick had appeared on the scene. + +"Why, then, yes, Miss Worrick, you do. It's a fine day, isn't it; and +the air is most refreshing," said Kitty in her most impertinent tones. + +"Do you know that you have distinctly disobeyed me? I forbade you to +leave the schoolroom during recess. How dared you do so?" + +"There wasn't much daring about it. I walked to the door, opened it, and +came out. I had made a previous engagement, and it was not at all +convenient to break it. I told you so at the time, did I not?" + +For answer Miss Worrick took Kitty by the arm and led her across the +playground. + +"I must take you to Miss Sherrard," she said. "I cannot manage a +disobedient girl like you." + +She opened a side door, and, still holding Kitty by the arm, led her +down a long passage and into a small room, where she desired her to wait +while she fetched the head-mistress. + +Miss Sherrard was a little woman, but she had a native dignity which is +beyond and above all mere personal appearance. She had a keen and +commanding eye, a somewhat pale face, an upright little figure. She was +not only short in stature, but slight; nevertheless, there was not a +mistress in the great school who did not hold her in awe as well as +admiration, and not a girl, with the exception, perhaps, of Kitty +Malone, who did not do her reverence. + +When the door was shut behind Kitty, she drummed impatiently on the bare +mahogany table near which she had been placed, then walked to the window +and looked out. From her position she could catch a glimpse of Gwin +Harley pacing up and down the playground with Elma Lewis. She saw Alice +come up and talk to Gwin; she noticed that Gwin and Elma paused, then +that Alice slipped to the other side of Gwin, and the three walked +slowly up and down. As they walked they talked. Alice nodded her head +once or twice; Elma made emphatic grimaces; Gwin alone looked quiet, +calm, and stately. + +"They are talking about me," thought the Irish girl, and an angry +feeling rose in her heart. "Is it for this I have left the dear old dad, +and the beautiful home, and the animals, and Aunt Bridget, and Aunt +Honora? Oh, is it for this I have left dear Old Ireland, may her heart +be blessed! to come here to be slighted, to be made little of, to be +joked at! Am I Kitty Malone, or am I somebody else? Oh! my heart will +break, my heart will break!" + +"Miss Malone, I am sorry to hear this of you," said a very calm, very +distinct, and withal very kind voice, just at Kitty's back. Kitty turned +abruptly, and said aloud: + +"Oh, and did you overhear me?" She then involuntarily dropped a courtesy +to the head-mistress. + +Miss Sherrard shut the door behind her. + +"I am sorry," she began, "to learn from Miss Worrick that you are +showing insubordination and disobedience." + +"Why, then, now, and won't you let me tell my own story in my own way?" +said Kitty. + +In spite of herself, Miss Sherrard gave an involuntary smile. It soon +vanished, but Kitty had caught the glint in the eye and the tremble +round the lips. "Why, then I see at a glance that you have the kind +heart," she said; "you thought to keep it in, but I saw it breaking out +just then. You'll let me tell my own story, won't you?" + +"That seems fair enough," said Miss Sherrard. She seated herself as she +spoke on one of the bare, comfortless chairs, and looked full up at +Kitty. + +Kitty was dressed according to Rule IV. of the Tug-of-war Society. She +wore a decidedly fashionable dress, the sleeves well puffed out at the +shoulders, fitting nicely at the elbows, and with ruffles of lace, real +lace, round the wrists. Round Kitty's throat also there were ruffles of +lace; the neck of her dress was cut a little low, showing the soft, full +contour of her exquisitely-curved throat. Her waist was clasped with a +belt of solid silver, and in front she wore a great bunch of +cabbage-roses. The cabbage-rose has a scent which, when once it assails +the nostrils, can never afterward be forgotten. Miss Sherrard, in spite +of herself, gave a little sniff. + +Quick as lightning Kitty saw it, and detached the bunch of roses from +her belt. + +"Now, will you have them?" she said. "Ah, do now, just to please me, +Kitty Malone; they came all the way from Old Ireland this morning. Stay, +I'll pin them into the front of your dress. Hold easy a moment dear +woman, and you'll have as neat a little bunch as ever you clapped your +two eyes on." + +Miss Sherrard could not help once again letting that ghost of a smile +play round her lips, and then vanish. + +"But really," she said--"oh, thank you for the roses; yes, they are very +sweet; yes, delicious! She bent her head and sniffed quite audibly. + +"Ah, then, aren't they refreshing, and aren't they melting the anger +down in your heart? Say they are now--say they are. You see you never +had an out-and-out wild Irish girl to manage before. Well, and what is +it you want with me? I'll be as civil as you please, and as willing to +listen to the words of wisdom, if only you'll let me first tell my own +story." + +"It is only fair that you should be allowed to tell your own tale," +said Miss Sherrard; "but please understand that I am very angry. Miss +Worrick's story has amazed me. Do you know. Kitty Malone, of what you +are accused?" + +"Well, I do, and I don't; but I should like to hear the crime spoken of +by your pretty lips. What is it? Something black of course; black things +are always laid to the door of Kitty Malone." + +"The crime, Miss Malone, is the very grave sin of disobedience. You must +know that in a great school of this kind, if there were not perfect +obedience there would be no order at all." + +"True for you, it looks like it; but then, as far as I can see--and I +have watched all the girls pretty closely of late--I am the only black +sheep. Now, I should think that one black sheep in a great big orderly +place of this kind would make a sort of diversion. You would all be +after her, and joking at her, and thinking which of you could get her +under control. Well, I am the black sheep, and I suppose I am sorry." + +"Don't talk any more, Kitty; listen to me." + +"Yes; what is it?" + +"You have been disobedient; you were very inattentive over your history +lesson, not knowing it at all. Miss Worrick says, as a matter of fact, +you did not even trouble to open your book, and when the time came for +you to go through your lesson you were not able to answer a single +question. For this extreme carelessness she desired you to stay in the +schoolroom during morning recess. She said you pleaded hard that she +would excuse you, not liking to take the punishment which you richly +deserved; but Miss Worrick, very justly insisted on her word being +obeyed. What then, was her astonishment to see you in the playground +walking calmly up and down with Gwin Harley." + +"Yes, dear; and what else could you expect?" answered Kitty. + +"What else could I expect? I don't understand." + +"Well, was it likely now that I would stay in that close, stifling +schoolroom when the sun was shining and there was a bird on a tree +outside singing to me as loud as ever it could? And I had made an +arrangement with Gwin Harley to walk up and down with her during recess, +and the darling girl had put off two others for me, and was waiting for +me. Don't you think it was about natural that I should disobey Miss +Worrick, whom I never cared twopence for, and go out to Gwin Harley, +whom I love? Of course I knew I was disobedient, and I supposed she +would punish me; but I didn't think she would have me up for you to +lecture me." + +"You behaved very badly indeed," said Miss Sherrard; "and you are now +talking in an extremely silly way." + +Kitty bowed her head; the light went out of her eyes, her face turned +pale. + +"What punishment will you invent to torture me with?" she said at last +in a low voice. "I suppose I have done wrong, and I am willing to take +the punishment. What is it?" + +"Of course you must be punished," said the head-mistress; "it would +never do to allow disobedience is the school. You see, Kitty--" + +"Oh, bless you, bless you, for calling me by my Christian name," +muttered Kitty Malone. + +"Kitty, I am inclined to take you into my confidence." + +"Are you, indeed? I declare you're an old dear!" + +"You have come to school to learn, have you not?" + +"Not a bit of it," answered Kitty; "I came to school to please the old +dad." + +"Your father?" + +"Yes, the dear old dad, the dearest, the best in the world." + +"But what did he send you here for?" + +"Well, I suppose to get knowledge and manners. Ah, bad luck to them! and +I suppose also to tame me down a bit. He said he never could manage that +at Castle Malone." + +Miss Sherrard once more gave that faint involuntary smile. + +"Your father sent you here," she said, "to put you under discipline. +While you are in this school, my dear girl, you must obey me, and also +the other teachers. If you are disobedient the other girls will be +disobedient, and then where should we all be?" + +"It would be a lark!" muttered Kitty, with sparkling eyes. + +"Don't interrupt, and please listen. I should be very sorry to send you +back to Castle Malone in disgrace. I should be sorry to have to write to +your father in order to tell him that his Kitty, whom he loves--his +bright, pretty, lovable daughter--can never learn manners nor +accomplishments, nor be tamed in the very least. There are from six to +seven hundred girls in this school, who all now know about your very +daring act of disobedience. Were I not to punish you they would be +astonished, and some of them might even go to the length of copying your +behavior. You see this for yourself, don't you?" + +"Oh, I see it plain enough," answered Kitty; "plain as a pikestaff. +What's the punishment to be?" + +Miss Sherrard hesitated. Once more she looked at Kitty; Kitty's eyes +were as bright as stars. + +"You need not be afraid," said the pupil in an encouraging voice. "I am +nothing of a coward; I'll take anything in reason. Is it a flogging you +are thinking of ordering for me?" + +"Oh, no; we never flog in this school," said Miss Sherrard in a shocked +voice. + +"Why, then, if it is something in the shape of learning a lesson it will +go cruel with me. I don't care for learning, and----" + +"I am afraid, Kitty, that I must give you the kind of punishment which +all the school may know about. All the school now knows of your +disobedience, and it must also be well aware of your punishment." + +"Good gracious! this sounds exciting," answered Kitty. "I am to have a +punishment that all the school will know about." + +"Yes, it is this. To-morrow morning, just before recess, you are to go +up to Miss Worrick, and tell her before the entire school that you are +sorry you disobeyed her; you are then to offer to stay in during the +play hour." + +"If that's all," said Kitty, "it is not much of a bother. I am to say I +am sorry, and I am to stay in to-morrow. You won't object to my +bringing--" + +"I'll hear of no conditions," answered Miss Sherrard, starting to her +feet. "Go away now, my dear girl, and please remember that your father +sent you here to learn, that I trust you will learn, and that you will +also endeavor to be good to--to please me, Kitty." + +Kitty's eyes filled with sudden tears. + +"You are very kind," she murmured. "I know I should soon learn to love +you. You wouldn't mind letting me give you a hug, would you?" + +"I will certainly kiss you, dear, but no demonstration, please. Kitty, I +know you have a warm heart; but don't let it lead you into mischief. +There is much for you to learn in England, as I doubt not there would be +much for an English girl to learn in your country." + +"Ah, but it is the dearest land in all the world," said Kitty. + +"I am sure it is to you; but say no more now. I will speak to Miss +Worrick; she will expect you to do what I have desired to-morrow." + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +PADDY WHEEL-ABOUT. + + +The next day there was a whisper through the school that Kitty Malone +was about to do public penance. She had already made more or less +sensation in that part of the school where she worked. In her own class +the girls, as has already been stated, adored her; but the other girls +also looked at her with interest. They admired her dress, her free, +careless gait, her upright, erect figure, and the bright, happy glance +in her eyes. They all thought her charming, and the expression of her +face was often so comical, the shrug of her shoulders so ludicrous, that +at a glance she set the girls tittering. + +On this special occasion she sat down between her favorite Mary Davies +and Agnes Moore, and whispered to the former: + +"Ah, then, darling, it is not your place I'll be taking to-day; sure my +head is bothered entirely. But I have got all kinds of nice things about +me. Do you know that I sat up late last night putting a pocket in the +left side of my dress as well as the right, so now the girl on each side +of me can have as many chocolates as she has a fancy for? You dive in +your hand whenever you feel the least bit inclined for a sweetie, Agnes; +and you do the same, Mary Davies; and, Mary, you might pass one on now +and then to that poor, little, thin Katie Trafford at the other end of +the class." + +It was certainly impossible for a girl like Kitty Malone not to be +popular; and the other girls valued her, and thought themselves highly +privileged to be in the same class with her, dunce as she was. + +Kitty had learned her lessons a little better, but the thought of the +public confessions which she was about to make rested heavy on her soul. +It made her restless; and her lessons, although they had been better +prepared, gained her no more marks than on the previous day. + +"I wonder how I ought to do it," she whispered more than once to Agnes +Moore. + +"To do what?" asked Agnes, who was a very earnest little student, and +whose dream was that she might get a remove at the end of the term. +"About what, Kitty? I wish you would not interrupt me." + +"Oh, bother it, dear. Have a chocolate, won't you? What are your lessons +compared to my perplexities? What ought I to say? Ought I to drop a +courtesy or go on my knees? There was an old romance which I found in +the garret at home; and when the heroine did wrong she always dropped +upon her knees and folded her hands, and raised her eyes toward +heaven--is that the way I ought to do it?" + +"Don't, don't, Kitty; you'll make me laugh, and then I'll be sent down. +Please, don't talk to me any more." + +Kitty turned her attention to Mary Davies. + +"Would you, Mary, go on one knee or on two? If you dip your hand down to +the very bottom of my pocket, you'll find some caramels--some people +like them better than chocolate creams." + +"You must not talk to me any more or I'll get into disgrace," whispered +Mary in a low, frightened voice. "Look, Miss Worrick has come into the +room. Now do open your history book, there's a dear girl." + +Kitty bent her curly head over her book. She was really interested in +the cruel fate of the martyr-king, but at that moment she saw nothing +but the picture she was conjuring up each moment before her excited +imagination--the tall girl asking pardon of the little teacher. Was the +girl to go on her knees? + +"It really would be better," thought Kitty. "I'd be lower than her then. +It does seem ridiculous that the big should ask pardon of the little, +and--Oh, Miss Worrick, I beg your pardon; were you speaking to me?" + +"I was, Kitty. Stand up; I am just going to lecture." + +The history lesson began. Kitty did no better than yesterday. It came to +an end. The mathematical teacher took her class, and then the great bell +was rung for recess. Just at the moment when its last note echoed +through the vast school Miss Worrick came a step forward into the room, +and held up her hand to arrest the movement of the classes. She looked +at Kitty with an expectant expression. Kitty returned her gaze, and said +nothing. Kitty Malone felt glued to her seat. For a moment every nerve +seemed paralyzed, her face became crimson, her eyes filled with ready +tears, she looked down, the great tears splashed upon the desk before +her. At that instant she encountered the vindictive and delighted +glance of Alice Denvers. + +Kitty had confided all her trouble to Alice on the previous night, and +Alice at the time had pretended to give a little sympathy; but where was +her sympathy now? + +"I hate her," thought the Irish girl. "No one else would be glad to see +me so miserable." + +"You have something to say to me, have you not, Miss Malone?" said Miss +Worrick in her stiff, precise voice. + +Kitty staggered to her feet. + +"I don't want to say it a bit," she grumbled. + +"Come forward, my dear; come forward." + +Kitty left the protection of her desk, and staggered across the room. +Miss Worrick had mounted a little platform, all the other teachers stood +waiting, and the girls waited also. Kitty looked round, the eyes in each +face seemed multiplied fourfold--the room seemed to be all eyes. She +longed for the mountains, for her father, for Laurie, for the old home. +She hated the school, she hated England. Why was she to be publicly +disgraced? + +"Oh, it is very wrong indeed to ask me to do it," she cried. Then the +following words rushed out: "Miss Worrick, I am sorry I disobeyed you +yesterday, and I'll stay in class to-day. Yes, I will stay; but I hate +every one of you, and I hate England, and I wish I was back again in +dear Old Ireland. Oh, dear! oh, dear! oh, dear! Why was I ever sent into +this horrid, cold, freezing land? Oh, my heart is broken! my heart is +broken!" + +Kitty's sobs were distinctly heard across the great schoolroom. She +returned to her seat. Miss Worrick with a wave of her hand dismissed the +rest of the girls. Kitty bent her head low down upon the desk before +her, and sobbed louder and louder. At last she felt a hand resting +lightly on her shoulder. + +"I know I did it dreadfully, Miss Worrick," she said; "but it was so +bad. Why did you make me, why did you make me?" + +"There, Kitty, it is over now, and you will never disobey your teacher +again as long as you live," said a kind voice, and Kitty raised her eyes +to see, not the face of Miss Worrick, but that of the head-mistress. + +"Oh, Miss Sherrard, how could you make me do it?" she sobbed. "It wasn't +in me. None of the Malones could beg anybody's pardon, and I couldn't go +on my knees when the moment came because they felt stiff, they had no +joints in them. I could not do it properly; no, I could not." + +"You did it, dear, but not very well. You did it, however, and you have +learned your lesson. Now come with me into my private sitting-room. You +and I will have lunch together, and I will excuse you from any more +lessons to-day." + +Kitty Malone never forgot that next hour. Miss Sherrard was an ideal +head-mistress. She had the keenest sympathy with girls. In her long +experience she had met girls of every shade of character, the bold, the +ambitious, the timorous, the idle, the frivolous, the noble, the +earnest. She knew all about the Christian girl as well as the pagan +girl; all about the girl who had a terrible battle with her own evil pro +pensities, and the girl whose nature was so amiable, so gentle, so +sweet, that life would be comparatively easy for her. But although she +had been head-mistress of the great Middleton School now for several +years, she had never before met quite such an extraordinary specimen as +Kitty Malone. Where, however, others would see nothing but a spirit of +frivolity, a love of admiration, dress, pleasure, in Kitty, Miss +Sherrard peeped below the surface and discovered some really noble +qualities. She determined to be very gentle to this wild, willful +girl--to take her, in short, as she was. + +"Oh, I wonder you care to speak to me," said Kitty, when her sobs having +ceased, she stood looking half-repentant, half-rebellious in Miss +Sherrard's private room. + +"You are not to be the subject of our conversation at all for the +present, Kitty," said Miss Sherrard. "Lunch is ready, and you must be +hungry. Would you like to go into my room--it is just next to this--and +wash your hands and brush out your hair?" + +Kitty looked at Miss Sherrard's small and beautifully-kept hands. She +was fastidious to a remarkable degree about her personal appearance. + +"I dare say my hair is somewhat untidy," she said. "I might as well take +a squint at myself in the glass. I never like to look ugly. Is my nose +very red, Miss Sherrard?" + +"Never mind about your appearance," said Miss Sherrard, who could not +help feeling slightly annoyed at what she considered such a very +irrelevant remark. + +"I expect I am a fright," said Kitty standing up and talking half to +herself and half for the benefit of the head-mistress. "Crying always +spoils me. Now, I knew a girl at home, and the more she cried the +prettier she got. She used to let her tears roil down her cheeks in +great drops, and never attempted to wipe them away, and her nose never +got red, and her eyes only got bigger and quite dewy. Now, as to me when +I cry, my nose----" + +"Kitty, will you please remember that I am waiting for lunch," +interrupted Miss Sherrard. + +"Oh, I beg your pardon, ma'am," answered Kitty. She ran into the next +room, examined herself critically in the glass, arranged her hair, +dipped her hands into hot water, and came back looking spruce, bright, +pretty, and once more restored to the highest good-humor. + +"I said yesterday that I would love you, ma'am," she said, as she seated +herself at the other side of the appetizing board. "Oh! what a dear +little pie! I wonder is it pigeon pie" + +"No, it is lamb pie," answered Miss Sherrard. "Will you help yourself?" + +Kitty cut herself a generous slice. + +"I like all sorts of good things," she said. "I am sure I was meant to +do nothing in life but dress well, and look pretty, and have the nicest +food to eat, and----" + +"How dare you?" interrupted Miss Sherrard. Her words coming firm and +strong, the expression on her kind face arrested the idle girl's silly +remarks. + +"What do you mean?" asked Kitty. + +"I mean this, Miss Malone, that you are a girl with a considerable +amount of ability----" + +"Oh, now that I have not got." + +"With a considerable amount of ability," continued Miss Sherrard, "and +with a great many talents." + +"Talents! I thought talents meant genius. Now, I have always and always +been told that I was a dunce of the dunces. It's not joking me you are, +is it, Miss Sherrard?" + +"No, Kitty; I am in very sober earnest. You have been sent to me to make +something of you." + +"Well, my dear woman, I am afraid you won't make much. The fact is, I am +wild through and through. I come of a wild stock. I wish you could see +us at home, and Laurie, and----" + +"You must tell me about your home afterward," said Miss Sherrard. "But +now I have something to say about yourself." + +As she spoke, Miss Sherrard drew her cup of coffee to the side of the +table, leaned back, and looked fixedly into the bright and lovely face +of the girl who sat opposite her. + +"You have read your Bible, have you not?" she said. + +"My Bible!" cried Kitty. "Yes; I read it every day." + +"I am glad to hear that." + +"Why, you don't suppose we are a lot of heathens at Castle Malone, do +you, Miss Sherrard? Father has prayers every morning, and we all troop +in, every one of us, into the big hall. Oh, I wish you could see the +hall, and the pictures of my ancestors, and----" + +"Afterward you shall tell me about them," interrupted Miss Sherrard. "So +you do read your Bible every day. Then I dare say you happen to know +the beautiful story, or rather parable, spoken by Christ himself about +the talents?" + +"Yes, I love that story; only I don't think it applies specially to me, +for I have not got any." + +"Have not you? Perhaps I can find that you have." + +Kitty gazed at her mistress very earnestly. + +"What is it I am good in?" she asked after a pause. "Is it my English? +Bless you, they tell me it's awfully Irish." + +"It certainly is, Kitty." + +"Then, I don't know any music, although I can sing and whistle. Oh, I +can whistle anything. There's not an air that Laurie plays (it's he that +has the genius for music, bless the boy)--but there's not an air he +plays that I can't whistle it right up and down, and with variations +too." + +"Yes, my dear, yes; but I was not thinking of this special talent. Now, +let me tell you something that you have got." + +"What? Please speak." + +"You have plenty of money." + +"I never thought that was a talent," cried Kitty. + +"I should think it a very great and responsible talent. You have been +given that money to do something for God. He wants you to use it for +Him. Then, also, you have a very bright, attractive, loving manner." + +"Oh, I feel every word I say. It's not manner," said Kitty. "You don't +suppose I'm a hypocrite, do you?" + +"No, I think on the contrary you are very sincere. We will now admit +that you have got two talents; you have got money and you have got a +pleasant manner. I think also that you have got a third, and I may be +able to prove to you that you have got a fourth." + +"Dear me, this is most entertaining!" exclaimed Kitty. "So I have really +got two talents, and you think I have more. What is the third?" + +"I don't wish to make you vain; but you have--yes, I must tell you--a +remarkably pretty face." + +"Ah, now, what a darling you are! I always thought you were sweet. What +part of me do you admire most, the eyes or the mouth? I have the real +Irish eyes I know--gentian-blue, yes, that's the color--and my +eyelashes--aren't they long?" + +"We need not discuss your beauty piece by piece," said Miss Sherrard. +"You are pretty, and I am willing to admit it. Now, a bright face like +yours, with an attractive manner, is a gift. Then, besides, you +have--you will be astonished when I say this--lots of becoming dress, +which adds to the charm of your appearance. Kitty, if you were all you +might be--if you would use that money which God has given you, that +beauty which God has given you, that attractive manner which God has +given you, all for His service--why, you could do a great deal in the +world. You could make it a better place, a brighter place, a happier +place. Now, my dear child, your father has trusted you to me. He wrote +to me a great deal about you before you came to Middleton School----" + +"Dear old dad!" cried Kitty. + +"He loves you with all his heart." + +"I should think so, the darling blessed man--may the saints preserve +him!" + +"As your father feels so strongly about you, and as I promised him to +do what I could for his child, will you help me, Kitty? Will you +remember that you are equipped for the battle of life much more bravely, +much more strongly than most of the other girls in Middleton School? Use +your beauty for Him, dear; use your attractive manner for Him." + +"You make me feel very solemn," said Kitty. She rose. "I will try and +think about it," she said. "I wish I was not quite such a giddypate; but +I'll try and think about it." + +Miss Sherrard kissed her. + +"And now I want you to do something more," she said. "You won't be able +to be a better girl than you were in the past if you don't pray to God +to help you; and when you pray, Kitty, ask Him to teach you to restrain +your feelings a little, not to let them all rush to the surface, to keep +a little back. Thus you will gain strength of character, and--and be all +the better for it, my child." + +"You are very good to me," said Kitty. "I don't mind what I do for those +I love. I suppose now you would wish me to learn my lessons perfectly +every day?" + +"I certainly should." + +"And to--to turn poor little Agnes Moore from the head of her class?" + +"Well, Kitty, I cannot say anything about that. II you do better work +than Agnes Moore you will get to the head of the class and she will go +down; but I doubt your being able to do so, for Agnes is a very clever +and a very diligent little pupil. But I want you, dear, soon to get out +of that class, for it is a great deal too young for you. I want you to +be with girls of your own age. We are yet one month to the end of the +term. By the end of term I want to be able to tell you that you have got +a remove. And now, dear, good-by. Remember, I shall watch you, and--yes, +I shall pray for you." + +"You are very good to me," repeated Kitty; and she walked out of Miss +Sherrard's presence with her head lowered, and a mist before her eyes. + +For the next few days Kitty was strangely thoughtful. She did not speak +nearly so much as usual, she felt inclined to go away by herself, and +she was much puzzled about her talents. Miss Sherrard's words had made +quite a deep impression. She learned her lessons with care, and had +every chance, so her teachers told her, of a remove at the end of term. +Even Alice found less to say against her. Kitty began to look on her +school life as something roseate and delightful; but all these things +were to come to a speedy end. + +On a certain afternoon she got home to find Alice out and Mrs. Denvers +seated in the drawing-room with a great basket of mending before her. + +"Oh, what a lot of work! Would you like me to help you?" said Kitty. + +"Very much, dear; but what kept you so late? Oh, here is a letter for +you." + +"A letter!" cried Kitty eagerly. "Oh, it is from Laurie. Hurrah! +hurrah!" + +She forgot all about her offer to help Mrs. Denvers with her darning, +tossed the letter in the air two or three times, and then sank down on +the nearest ottoman to read it. These were the words on which her eyes +rested: + +"DEAR OLD KITTERKINS: I have got into the greatest bother of a mess that +ever assailed a poor gossoon, and if you can't help me, old girleen, +well, I shall be done brown, as the saying is. The whole matter concerns +Paddy Wheel-about. The poor creature has been getting queerer and +queerer lately, and father has been ever so much worried about him. I +didn't know a word of this, mind you, at the time, but learnt it +afterwards; and it makes my bit of a frolic all the blacker, I can tell +you. Father got Dr. Milligan to go and see Paddy in his cabin at the top +of Sleeve Nohr, and the doctor said that the poor old boy was going off +his head as fast as he could, and we must be careful not to give him any +shock. Well, but to come to my part of it. You know that coat of his, +and what diversion we have had out of it from time to time? You made one +of the patches yourself, don't you remember, Kitty? We always told him +that in each patch he had concealed a sovereign. Well, hot as the days +are, he has been wearing that coat, and a figure of fun he did look. The +Mahoney boys and Pat and I thought we would take a rise out of him; so +one night when he was asleep we stole up to his lair and got hold of the +precious coat. We bundled it up and were off with it. We had to cross +the lake, in the old boat with a hole in the bottom, in order to get +home in time, and what do you think happened? Up came a squall, the boat +was upset, and Paddy's coat sank to the bottom of the lake. We swam to +the shore and thought it would be an easy matter to fish up the old coat +on the following morning; but although we dragged and dragged, and Pat +and I both dived down to the bottom a good dozen of times, the coat had +sunk in the deep mud and we could not find it, no nor a sign of it. +Well, of course, our one hope was that no one should know; but what was +our horror to be confronted by no less a person than Wheel-about +himself. You know that craze he has about never speaking. Well, he spoke +to us and pretty sharp too, and told us he knew we had taken the coat, +and didn't he look thunders and daggers at us, and we funked it so +awfully--yes, I will confess it, Kits, your brave Laurie funked it like +anything--for Wheel-about did really look like a roadman; at last there +was no help for it--we had to out with the truth. Oh, didn't he raise a +yell louder than anything you ever heard, and then I told him that if I +could not get back the coat I would give him ten pounds for certain by +Saturday next. He said if I did he would lie quiet for a bit and not +tell the governor, so I want you like a blessed girleen to lend me the +money. Send it off the very instant you read this; for if you don't the +saints alone know what will happen. We are certain to be sent to a +school in England, at least I am. From what you tell me, Kitterkins, of +that place, I should think it would break our hearts to smithereens. Now +look sharp and send the money. Your loving brother, + +"LAURIE." + +"Oh, dear!" exclaimed Kitty starting to her feet. "Do you mind my going +out at once, Mrs. Denvers?" + +"Certainly not, my love. Tea will be ready at five o'clock. Are you +going far?" + +"Only to Elma Lewis' house. I want to see her; it is awfully important." + +"But Elma lives quite two miles from here." + +"Oh, that does not matter. I am sure to find my way. It is most urgent," +said Kitty. + +She rushed out of the room, pinned on her hat, and a moment later was +walking down the street as fast as she could go. She crossed a field +and a common, and after a time got into that part of the town where Elma +lived. By dint of asking half a dozen children and three or four +policemen she at last reached Constantine Road, and presently found the +right house. She ran up the steps and sounded a rattling rat-tat on the +knocker. The moment she did so a girl with a mop of untidy red hair +peeped up at her from the area below. + +"Come and open the door at once," called Kitty. "Why do you keep a lady +waiting?" + +The girl soon appeared, tying on her cap and apron as she did so. + +"I thought as they was all out for the day," she began, "--Oh, miss, I +beg your pardon." + +Kitty, notwithstanding her rather rude words, presented a very charming +spectacle as she stood on the steps. She was dressed not only in the +height of the fashion, but wore such a perfectly captivating little +toque at the back of her head as to fire the fancy and take the little +wit which she possessed out of Mrs. Lewis' maid-of-all-work. + +Maggie had never seen anything so captivating nor so ravishing. A wild +desire to make a toque like it to put on her own towzled locks on the +following Sunday caused her to stare so hard at Kitty with her mouth +wide open that she did not hear a word that young lady was saying. + +"Are you in a dream?" asked Kitty Malone. "I want to see Miss Elma +Lewis. Is she at home?" + +"Miss Helma? No, miss, that she ain't," replied Maggie. "Oh, I beg your +pardon, miss; but it's it's the bonnet at the top of your head." + +"My bonnet?" said Kitty. + +"Yes, miss. Oh, I do beg your pardon, miss--I was took all of a heap. +Yes, miss, I'm attending now. But oh, if you would just turn your head a +little." + +"You must be mad," said Kitty. But her eyes began to sparkle. + +"Do listen to me," she continued; "it's most important. Is Miss Elma not +at home?" + +"No, miss; she's out for the day, and so is the missus and Miss Carrie. +They're all out a-pleasuring in their different ways, and they has left +me at home to drudge. I'm the household drudge, miss, and no wonder I'm +took with anything so pretty. Do you mind telling me, miss, if them +wiolets is real?" + +"Oh, the violets in my toque--are those what you are staring at?" said +Kitty. "Well, now, I'll tell you what I'll do--I'll give you the whole +bunch if you'll let me come into the house and write a letter to Elma, +and if you'll further faithfully promise that you will give it to her +the instant she comes home." + +"To be sure I will, miss. Come right along in. Oh, what a beautiful +young lady you is!" + +"Every one tells me I am beautiful," thought Kitty. "It really is very +pleasant. I am more flattered here than I was in Ireland. People told me +there I had a face like cream and roses, or cream and strawberries, and +father used to say that I had washed it in the fairies' dew, and Laurie +would tell me that I was a bouncing girl and no mistake; but then Aunt +Honora was always saying: 'Kitty dear, beauty is only skin deep, and +don't be set up by it, child. Handsome is that handsome does, Kitty.' +Oh, how she would deave me with that old proverb. But here they seem to +think beauty is a talent, and I ought to be desperately proud of it. Oh, +faith, but why do I think of these things when my precious duck of a +Laurie is in the mess he has got into. He go to England to break his +heart, the darling! Not a bit of it; not while his Kitty has her wits +about her." + +Meanwhile Maggie conducted this ravishing and welcome visitor into the +tiny sitting-room, furnished her with pen, ink, and paper, and then +began to hover about near the door in order to get another view of the +lovely cap. + +Kitty bent her head over the sheet of paper and indited a letter in hot +and furious haste: + +"DEAR ELMA: I am so sorry, but I must ask you to return that eight +pounds to me immediately. I want it for Laurie. He has got into trouble +and requires it; so don't keep me waiting a single minute if you can +help it. I am so sorry you are out; but will you bring it to me the +instant you return home? It is of the most vital importance. I am in +dreadful trouble, and nothing else will save Laurie. Yours in great +haste, KITTY MALONE." + +Having written the letter, Kitty looked round for an envelope; Maggie +also searched to right and left, but could not find one. + +"But it will be all right, miss," she said. "I'll lay it just as it is +flat out on the table, and Miss Helma will see it the moment she comes +in." + +"Thank you," answered Kitty. "And now I must go. Be sure you give it to +her her the instant she returns, and tell her to come straight to me +with the money, for I must send it off to-night whatever happens. It is +a money transaction; and you understand, don't you? What is your name?" + +"Maggie, miss." + +"Well, you understand, Maggie, that any transaction connected with money +is very important." + +"Like the Bank of England, miss?" + +"Yes, to be sure, and--" + +"Oh, miss, forgive me; but you promised me them wiolets." + +"To be sure I did." + +Kitty snatched them from her toque, flung them to Maggie, who caught +them in an ecstacy, and a moment later was running home as fast as she +could. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +IN CARRIE'S BEDROOM. + + +Of the Lewis family the first who came home that special evening was +Carrie. She walked straight into the little sitting-room, where Kitty +Malone's letter lying on top of the blotter immediately attracted her +attention. It need not be said that she instantly read it, and not only +once but twice. + +"Ha! ha! Elma, I have got you into my power at last," she said to +herself. "So that accounts for the money. Now, what did you borrow it +from that queer Irish girl for? But now that I know a thing or two. I +may be able to draw on you to a considerable extent. Return it! not +you--you are not likely to; but I think I'll be able to frighten you. I +shall certainly do my utmost." + +It will be seen from these remarks that Carrie was by no means an +amiable girl. She ran up to her room, took off her hat, and surveyed +herself in the pale blue dress which had been purchased with some of +poor Kitty's money. She then returned to the sitting-room, and folding +up the letter, deliberately put it into her pocket. As she was doing so +Maggie came in to lay the tea. + +"Oh lor! Miss Carrie," cried the maid-of-all-work as she spread the +not-too-clean cloth upon the table, "whatever 'as become of that bit of +writin' that was lyin' atop of the blotter here?" + +"What bit of writing?" asked Carrie, turning calmly round and surveying +her. + +"Oh, a letter miss; I don't know what was in it, but it was a money +transaction, as important as the Bank of England, and it was to be give +to Miss Helma the very instant she come 'ome. Didn't you see it, miss, +when you come in?" + +"No, I didn't," said Carrie promptly. "I saw no letter of any kind. +Here's the blotter, there is nothing on it. It may have got between the +folds, however." She took up the thick pad of blotting-paper and shook +it, but no letter dropped out. + +"There," she said. "I have not the least doubt that Fido jumped on the +table and took it up and ate it." + +"Oh lor! miss, you don't think so?" + +"I should not be surprised. Fido can never resist paper; he is always +pulling it about and chewing it." + +Maggie looked frantically under the table for even stray pieces of the +letter, but she could not find any. + +"If he had ate it," she said at last, fixing Carrie with a very +determined stare--"if he had ate it he would have left some bits about. +I don't believe it; I believe you 'as took it Miss Carrie. Oh, miss, for +shame; and it was as important as the Bank of England--a money +transaction, miss, what ought not to be trifled with. I can't read +writin', though I can read books fair enough; but the young lady was +awful put about." + +"What young lady?" asked Carrie. "You had better tell me everything." + +"Oh, it was that Irish young lady, Miss Malone. She come here with the +most beautiful 'at on (no, it was wot they calls a talk), and the +wiolets in it they might 'av growed, I could a'most smell 'em; and she +come in distracted like, and writ the letter, and told me I was to give +it to Miss Helma the very moment she returned, and that Miss Helma was +to take her the money to-night--what money is more than I can tell, for +I didn't think Miss Helma ever had any. And she said it was an important +transaction. And I said, 'Is it like the Bank of England, miss?' and she +said, 'Yes, to be sure.' Why, Miss Carrie, you have not gone and hid the +letter, 'ave you? That would be real mean of you." + +"Look here," said Carrie; "what did you say about those violets?" + +"Why, she gave 'em to me, miss; she took 'em out of her cap, and she +give 'em to me, and I was to give the letter to Miss Helma. It was a +fair and honest bargain, and I must keep my part of it miss." + +"Would you like some roses to put with the violets?" said Carrie, making +a careful calculation. + +"Roses, miss? That would be prime, and very seasonable, wouldn't they +miss?" + +"Yes, violets and roses look very pretty together, and I'll pin them +into your hat and furbish it up. And, look here, Maggie, you can go out +with your young man on Sunday. I'll manage it--I can. I will stay at +home." + +"Oh, Miss Carrie, you don't mean it?" + +"Yes, I do. I'll manage it; but I'll do it only on a condition." + +"What is that miss?" + +"That you don't every ask me another question with regard to that +letter, and that you never, never on any account breathe a word of it to +Elma. If you do, why----" + +"Oh, Miss, it don't seem fair." + +Poor honest Maggie walked to the window and struggled for a few minutes +with her temptation. The thought, however, of roses to add to the +violets, the thought also of Joe, whom she dearly loved, to walk with +her on the following Sunday, proved far too seductive. She struggled +with her enemy for a few minutes, and then she fell once and for all. + +"I'll have the roses, Miss Carrie. I can't resist them and the thought +of Joe on Sunday. Joe is so passionate loving, miss, I can't resist +'im." And then Maggie rushed out of the room. + +She flew to her attic, threw herself by the side of her bed and burst +into sobs. + +"But I oughtn't to 'ave done it," she said several times--"I oughtn't to +'ave done it. If it worn't for the roses and for Joe I'd 'ave stood up +to her; but as it is I was too tempted. But all the same I oughtn't to +have done it--no, I oughtn't to 'ave done it!" + +Meanwhile Carrie up in her bedroom was thinking hard. Here indeed was a +revelation! So Elma possessed eight pounds, or nearly eight--for Carrie +knew that her blue dress, and the lobster, and the lettuces, and the +stout had not cost a great deal of that valuable sum of money. + +"At the present moment," she concluded, making a careful computation in +her mind, for she was a smart enough girl in certain ways--"at the +present moment Elma must possess the sum of seven pounds or thereabouts." +What in the world did that Irish girl lend it to her for? What an utter +fool she must have been! But as to Elma's paying it back! as to Elma +getting rid of those riches--Carrie thought she saw her way of +preventing that. In order to do so, however, it was all-important that +Elma should not see poor Kitty's passionate little appeal to her; for +although Elma was anything but an amiable girl, Carrie was certain that +mere fright would make her return the money. + +Carrie stayed some time in her room; she was thinking out a plan. How +could she prevent Elma returning the money to Kitty Malone? She +considered rapidly. Never before had she felt so full of energy and of +resource; it suddenly occurred to her as extremely unlikely that Elma +would carry about so much money on her person. Suppose she, Carrie, had +a thorough good hunt for it now on the spot. Suppose she found it, then +would it not be her duty, by taking possession of it, to guard Elma from +giving it away? Carrie made up her mind quickly; she determined to have +a search for the money at once. In the somewhat meagerly-furnished +bedroom there were not a great many hiding-places, and Carrie began her +search systematically. Elma and she had a little set of drawers each; +there were no locks to these drawers. With all her faults, Elma +absolutely trusted her own family. It never occurred to her even in her +worst moments that Carrie would examine her drawers; she also believed +that Maggie was perfectly honest. + +Carrie now began to search. She opened Elma's drawers and looked +through them. Soon she found what she sought for. In the small +right-hand drawer at the top corner was a little parcel. It felt heavy. +Carrie opened it and there lay seven shining sovereigns. There were also +a couple of shillings and a few pence; but Carrie's eyes were +principally fixed upon the sovereigns. Bright and new they looked, +almost as if they had just come from the mint. Carrie danced a pirouette +there and then. + +"I have found the treasure," she gasped. "Now I must take it where it +will be safe. I know what I'll do. I'll give it to Sam Raynes to keep +for Elma. It will be a nice excuse for seeing him again, and I'll tell +him it is money of my own, and ask him to bank it for me. He'll be ever +so pleased; he will think all the more of me if he supposes I am +wealthy. Yes, I'll take it to Sam; he shall keep it for me." + +Flushed, excited, her heart beating high, Carrie once more pinned on her +hat. She ran downstairs. As she passed through the hall her mother was +letting herself in with a latchkey. + +"My dear Carrie," she said, "you are not going out again at this hour of +night?" + +"I shan't be long, mother. I am just going into Summer Terrace to see +the Raynes." + +"I wish you would not go out so late, Carrie; it really isn't----" + +But Carrie had slammed the door without even waiting for her parent's +last words. She soon reached the Terrace, which was within three +minutes' walk of her own house. Florrie Raynes let her in. + +"My dear Carrie," she said, "what do you want? Oh, you naughty girl; +you knew Sam would be in." + +"Well, I want to speak to him. Can I see him just for a moment?" gasped +Carrie, panting and breathless, pushing the hair from her forehead as +she spoke. + +"Yes, come right in," said Florrie; "you need not apologize. He is only +having a cigar, and he'll be right pleased to see you." + +As she spoke she opened the door of a small sitting-room and pushed +Carrie in, slamming it behind her. The echo of her rude laughter as she +performed this unladylike feat was heard down the passage. + +Sam was seated in front of an open window smoking a cigar. When he saw +Carrie he removed it from his mouth and came forward in a somewhat +nonchalant way to meet her. + +"Now, Car," he said, "what's up? Any news? Can we have a jolly time next +Sunday?" + +"Yes," answered Carrie panting slightly, "and for as many other Sundays +as you like. See here, Sam, I cannot wait a minute now. You know you +once told me that I was a frivolous little thing, that I was +extravagant, and all that. Now, what will you say if I ask you to put +seven pounds in the bank for me?" + +"Seven pounds!" cried Sam; "'pon my word! Where in the world did you get +it, Car?" + +"It's out of my savings," replied Carrie. + +"Well, I must say--" Sam gave her a look of the broadest admiration he +had ever yet bestowed upon her. "You can bank it for me, can you not?" + +"Yes, that I can. But I say, Car, would you like me to speculate with +it? I might double it, you know." + +"Oh, do what you like with it, only keep it safe," answered Carrie. "I +shall want to draw a little of it from time to time. Now, good-by, Sam. +I can't wait another moment." + +She laid the money on the table. Sam's large and somewhat fat hand +closed greedily over it, and the next moment it was conveyed to his +waistcoat pocket. + +"This will come in very handy for myself," he muttered; but Carrie did +not hear the words--she ran home breathless and excited. She thought she +had managed splendidly. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +THE "SPOTTED LEOPARD." + + +Kitty was miserable that night. An Irish girl has always her ups and +downs. She is either up in the seventh heaven of bliss, or she is down +almost below the ordinary earth in misery. Kitty was suffering from an +intense revulsion of spirits. Laurie was in trouble. He was the best +brother in all the world; he was Kitty's idol. There never was anybody +more reckless, more passionate, more dare-devil than Laurie Malone; and +Kitty had always been with him heart and soul, always from the time that +they had been little tots together. And now Laurie was in danger. The +best broth of a boy might be condemned to go to a school in England; he +might be condemned to the misery, the want of freedom, which she was now +enduring. Oh, she must save him at any risk. She could do so. She could +send him ten pounds; she would have exactly that sum in her possession +if only Elma returned the eight which she had lent her. It did not occur +to Kitty as at all difficult for Elma to return the money. She had never +yet know money difficulties herself; and when Elma had asked for the +loan of it she imagined that she could have it back at any time. If this +was not the case it would not greatly matter; but now, of course, +Laurie's letter altered the complexion of everything. + +Kitty was too unsettled and anxious to stay quiet for a single moment. +She fidgeted Alice, who was busily engaged preparing her lessons for the +following day. + +"Kitty," she said, when that erratic young person had jumped up to lean +her body half out of the window for the twentieth time, "if you cannot +sit still yourself, you ought to have some thought for me. What am I to +do if you keep rushing to the window and back again to your seat every +couple of minutes?" + +"I am looking for Elma," said Kitty. + +"For Elma Lewis? Do you expect her to-night?" + +"Yes, and on a matter of vital importance. Oh, don't talk to me please, +Alice. If she doesn't come soon, I believe my heart will burst." + +"That is exactly like one of your exaggerated statements," said Alice. +"People's hearts don't burst. Oh, if you only would stay quiet." + +"I believe that's herself turning round the corner," cried Kitty, +bending out so far now that it was a wonder she was not overbalanced. + +"Really, Kitty, you make my heart stand still," said Alice. "You will +fall out if you are not careful. Oh, for goodness' sake, don't stoop out +any further." + +"It's not her," said Kitty, popping in her head. "I was only stooping +far enough to catch a glimpse of her boots. Elma always wears such +horrid shabby boots; and her feet are too large. By the way, Alice, what +do you think of these shoes; do you like them with straps across, and +little rosettes?" + +"I don't like anything in the way of dress at the present moment," said +Alice. "I want quiet and peace. It is impossible for me to do anything +while you fidget as you do." + +Kitty jumped with a bang into the nearest chair; opened a novel, and +tried to read it upside down. + +"If she isn't in time I won't be able to send the letter to-night and +then--Alice, do you mind my interrupting you for a moment? What time +does the last post go?" + +"The pillar outside the gate is cleared at twelve," said Alice. + +"It is only nine now. You don't happen to be able to tell me when a +letter, cleared at twelve, would reach Castle Malone?" + +"I cannot tell you. Forgive me, Kitty, I cannot stay in the room any +longer. I am going to our bedroom." + +Alice gathered up her books, and swept out of tho room. When she reached +the bedroom she shut and locked the door. + +Kitty was now left alone in the drawing-room, for Mr. and Mrs. Denvers +were spending the evening out. She was glad of this, as she could lean +as far out of the window as she dared, and there was no one to shout at +her. She could also pace up and down the room, which she presently did +with the rapidity and eagerness of a young tigress. + +Oh, to be back again at Castle Malone! What was Laurie doing now? +Suppose Paddy Wheel-about really told her father about Laurie! + +Squire Malone was extremely kind to Kitty; there was no saying what he +would not do for Kitty were she in trouble; but Laurie and Pat were +different matters. He had fits of severity-with them--only fits, mind +you; for he was too Irish in his character, too generous-hearted, ever +to keep his anger long; but in these fits he often made strange +resolves, and when these resolves were made, as a rule, he carried them +out. He was too proud to change his mind. If once he decided that the +boys were to go to school to England, to school they must go--to +"prison," Kitty termed it. Tears rose in her bright eyes, they rolled +down her cheeks. Oh, why was not Elma in time? How dreadful, how +dreadful if she (Kitty) missed the twelve-o'clock post! She was in this +state of fret and worry, when Fred entered the room. Fred hated all +girls, with the exception of Kitty Malone. He could not be said by this +time to hate her, for he admired her very much indeed. The moment she +saw him she called out to him to come in. + +"Ah, then, Fred, it is you. Come along in," she cried; "you'll be a +drain of a comfort--not much, but still a drain. Oh, Fred, it's I who am +in the trouble entirely. You wouldn't think it to look at me, but I am." + +"Dear me, Kitty I am sorry," said Fred. "What's up? Has Alice been +teasing you as usual?" + +"Oh, bother Alice! as if I minded her little pinpricks. It's that +darling Laurie in Ireland. He has got into trouble, the broth of a boy +that he is." + +She then related what had occurred in connection with Paddy +Wheel-about's coat. + +"And the poor old coat is in the bottom of the lake," she added, "and +the lake is feet deep in mud just at the bottom, and anything that falls +with a weight into it would sink and sink. Oh, they will never find the +coat till the day of judgment, and it full of beautiful money! And Paddy +Wheel-about has lost the little grain of sense he ever possessed, and +Laurie will be sent to one of those prisons." + +"To prison?" cried Fred; "but surely your father--" + +"Oh, I mean a school--it's all the same. Don't interrupt me, Fred. When +my mind is full I must rattle off the speech somehow." + +"And he wants you to send him ten pounds?" + +"Yes." + +"And have you got ten pounds to send him?" + +"To be sure I have--I have ten pounds ten. I am an awful girl for +spending money. I bought a whole pound's worth of chocolate yesterday. I +only wish I had the money now instead; but poor little Agnes Moore and +the other girls in my class, they do love chocolate, and they quite seem +to fatten them. I bought the chocolates, and I have got ten shillings in +my pocket." + +"But you showed me a whole purseful of gold the other day," said Fred. + +"Well, it's gone, Fred, and it isn't gone; but I know who could help me +to find it if I could catch a sight of her." + +"And who is that?" asked Fred. + +"Elma Lewis." + +"Elma Lewis! Do you like her?" + +"I can't say that I like her--no I don't think I do; but she would help +me, if I could only get to see her." + +"Then, do you want me to go to her house and tell her so?" + +"Why, Fred, that's a splendid idea. You are a jewel, a darling, a duck! +Let me fetch my hat, and you and I will go together." + +"But I don't know my lessons yet. It is that beastly German. I have +pages to translate. It is such rot." + +"Oh, what does the German matter? Think of the misery poor Laurie is in. +Just stay where you are, Fred; I'll be back in a minute." + +Kitty dashed upstairs, two or three steps at a time, and thundered a +loud tattoo on the locked door of Alice's bedroom. + +"You cannot come in, whoever you are," cried Alice from within. + +"Yes, but I must, Alice, aroon; let me in, jewel that you are. I want my +hat, and gloves and jacket, nothing else. Do, for goodness' sake, let me +in, Alice, asthore!" + +But Alice was obdurate. Once let Kitty in, she would never be able to +get rid of her again, and her lessons must be learned. They were +specially difficult and required all her attention. + +"Then if you won't," cried Kitty, whose quick temper was beginning to +rise, "at least fling the things out of the window." + +"You know you must not go out at this hour." + +"If you won't give them to me," said Kitty, "I'll go without them." + +"You are not to have them; you are not to go out. It isn't right," +called Alice, who felt strong in the cause of virtue. + +Kitty rattled violently on the handle for a moment longer, and then +rushed downstairs again to where Fred was waiting. + +"I can't get my hat," she said; "but it doesn't matter. I'll go as I +am." + +Now Kitty's dress was more picturesque than suitable. She had on a +crimson blouse and a skirt bedizened with many ribbons and frills. The +blouse had only elbow sleeves and was cut rather low in the neck. +Nothing could be more becoming to the dancing eyes, the rose-bloom +cheeks, the head of dark hair. + +"Lend me a cap of yours, Fred, there's a darling," called Kitty, "and +we'll be off. Alice is in one of her tantrums, and she won't let me into +our room nor give me my hat and jacket. If your mother were there it +would be all right." + +Fred only thought that Kitty looked remarkably pretty. It did not occur +to him as at all queer that she should want to walk a couple of miles in +this erratic dress. He went downstairs, accommodated her with a small +cap which bore the college coat of arms in front, and the two were soon +hurrying along the roads at a rapid rate in the direction of Elma's +house. + +There were two ways to Elma's home. One way was by crossing a wide +common, cutting off a certain corner, walking down a by-street, and so, +by a series of short cuts, reaching Constantine Road. By the other and +slightly longer way you had to pass an open thoroughfare in the center +of which blazed, with its shining lights and its gay exterior, a large +public-house called the "Spotted Leopard." Now the "Spotted Leopard" was +by no means a nice place to pass at night. Men considerably the worse +for drink were apt to linger about the doors. Gossiping and idle fellows +would congregate just by this special corner, ready to take up any bit +of fun or nonsense which might be coming, meaning no special mischief, +but being decidedly disagreeable to meet at night. + +Fred was as careless a schoolboy as could be found in the length and +breadth of Great Britain; Kitty was equally reckless, perhaps more so, +if that were possible. That special evening Fred decided that they would +not take the short cut across the common. + +"A beastly lonely place at this hour of night," he said, "and the road +is so uneven and there are no lamps. We'll go round by the 'Spotted +Leopard'. You don't mind, do you, Kit?" + +"Never a bit," answered Kitty. "Come along, Fred; stretch your legs. I +must get to see Elma Lewis to-night as quickly as possible." + +Fred walked fast, and Kitty laughed and talked and danced by his side. +Now that she was in action she forgot her fears; her volatile spirits +rose once again to a height. She entertained Fred with numerous stories +relating to Paddy Wheel-about, Laurie, and Pat, and invited him to come +to Castle Malone for the whole of the summer holidays, assuring him that +the fishing would be splendid, the cycling superb, the riding such as +would make your eyes water, and the shooting and the hunting when that +season began all that could stimulate the least ambitious of boys. And +when Kitty spoke she was apt to illustrate her words, dancing now in +front of her companion, now keeping by his side, now lingering a little +behind him, all the time gesticulating with eyes and lips and gay +motions. She was like a restive young colt--beautiful, excitable. The +boy felt that he had never had such a charming companion before. + +All went well, and Kitty's bizarre dress, her hair tossed wildly over +her head and hanging partly down her shoulders, her little feet encased +in the shoes with the rosettes and steel buckles, the frills on her gay +skirt, her bare arms, failed to attract any special attention. But when +they got into the neighborhood of the "Spotted Leopard," a blaze of +light fell full across her. She was a remarkable enough figure to be out +at this hour, and when joined to the somewhat peculiar spectacle, the +wild-looking boys--for they were little more--who had congregated round +this special corner, saw the college cap on her head, they made a rush +forward and the next moment had surrounded her. + +They began to laugh and to make facetious remarks. It was all done in a +second. Kitty stood stock still as if some one had shot her. He gay +manner ceased on the instant, she drew herself erect, and the next +moment aimed a blow straight from the shoulder at the nearest of the +men, knocking him over as completely as though he had been a ninepin; +then taking hold of Fred's arm--who had come to her rescue, although the +poor lad had not the least idea what to do--marched away, her face as +crimson as her gay silk blouse. + +"Well, Kitty, you did that splendidly," he said. + +"The impertinent wretches! Don't speak to me about them," answered +Kitty. But just then she came face to face with a more serious +obstacle. This was no less a person than Miss Worrick herself. + +Now if there was a prim mistress in the whole length and breadth of +England, it was Matilda Worrick. She liked girls to be neatly dressed; +she could not bear to see them out at what she called inclement hours. +She would have thought it the height of impropriety for Kitty and Fred +to walk together at such an hour; but when in addition to this Kitty +went out in a dress which Miss Worrick would have thought very +unsuitable for home, when she wore a boy's college cap on her head, and +when she had so far distinguished herself as to have been for a moment +the center of a lot of low noisy, rough men, Miss Worrick felt that the +moment had come for her to interfere. She grasped Kitty Malone firmly by +the arm. + +"What are you doing, Miss Malone?" she said. "How dare you be out at +this hour?" + +"How dare you interfere?" answered Kitty, who, excited already, could +not for a moment brook Miss Worrick's interference. + +"I shall march you straight home," said the mistress. "If Miss Sherrard +knew of this she would expel you from the school. You are a very wicked +girl. Fred Denvers, you can go home or go on with your walk, just as you +like, but I have charge of Miss Malone; she belongs to the Middleton +School, and I must see her home before I go a step further." + +Poor Kitty felt staggered. + +"I really meant no harm," she said. "I cannot imagine what you are +talking about. I could not get my hat and jacket, and as it was most +important that I should see Elma Lewis, Fred promised to take me to her +house. Please don't ask me to return now with you, Miss Worrick, I +really cannot come." + +But Miss Worrick was inexorable. She grasped Kitty very firmly by the +arm, turned abruptly in the direction of home, and walked forward with a +firm step. There was no help for it; Kitty Malone must accompany her. +They soon found themselves back again at the Denvers' house. Mr. and +Mrs. Denvers were out, but Miss Worrick inquired for Alice. + +"Ask Miss Alice to come to me immediately," she said to the servant. + +The girl looked pityingly at Kitty, who was a prime favorite with her, +and then went away to fulfill her errand. + +The instant Alice got this somewhat startling message, she forgot her +lesson, unlocked her bedroom door, and flew downstairs as fast as she +could. Miss Worrick was standing in the center of the drawing-room. +Kitty was leaning up against one of the window-curtains. Kitty's face +was red, her hair was tossed in wild confusion, and her dark eyes seemed +to flash fire. + +"Alice," said Miss Worrick, coming straight up to Alice when she +appeared. "I must ask you to take charge of Kitty Malone." + +"Why so?" asked Alice in some astonishment. + +"Just do what I say. Your father and mother are out. Kitty is not to +return to school to-morrow until she hears from Miss Sherrard. In the +absence of your parents I put her in your charge, Alice. She has behaved +disgracefully, and I shall have the great pain of reporting what I have +just witnessed to our head-mistress to-morrow." + +So saying, Miss Worrick walked quickly out of the room and out of the +house. + +"Well, thank goodness, she's gone--the old cat!" cried Kitty. + +"Now, Kitty what have you done?" said Alice. "Oh, this is terrible! +Fresh scrapes! We seem to live in constant hot water. What is the matter +now, you headstrong and dreadful girl?" + +"Nothing is the matter," replied Kitty, "absolutely nothing. It is all a +storm in a teacup. But if any one is to blame you are the one." + +"I?" cried Alice. "What next?" + +"Well, you are. You would not give me my hat and jacket. I have a nice +plain hat and a jacket to match. I should have put them on if you had +not locked our bedroom door, and prevented my coming into the room, +which is just as much mine as yours. As it was imperative for me to see +Elma Lewis immediately, I asked Fred if he would walk round with me to +her house, and I wore his college cap. When we were passing the 'Spotted +Leopard' a lot of rough, rude boys rushed out and began to make +impertinent remarks about my dress. I just gave one of them a black eye +and knocked him over. The next moment I found myself under the fire of +Miss Worrick's anger." + +"And small wonder," said Alice. "Kitty, what is to be done? Before you +came here I thought myself a respectable girl--all we Middleton girls +did; and now for such a fearful thing to happen. Why, it will be all +over the place in the morning. They will talk of it everywhere. Oh, +Kitty, you have disgraced me for ever." + +Here Alice burst into tears. + +"Good gracious!" cried Kitty, "what are you crying about? I did nothing; +it was the rude men, or boys, or whatever you like to call them, who +were to blame." + +"You did nothing, going out in that dress?" cried Alice--"that red +blouse, and your arms bare, and with Fred's college cap on your head. I +should not be a bit surprised if Fred were expelled; he will certainly +get into an awful scrape. Oh dear! oh dear!" + +"I cannot imagine what you are talking and crying about," said Kitty. +"But there; I have got a headache, and am going to bed. I suppose there +is no chance of my--Oh, poor Laurie! What a wicked girl Elma Lewis is!" + +Kitty rushed up to her room. Not that she was frightened--that was not +her way; but she saw that disagreeable things might be pending. In the +meantime her most anxious thoughts were for Laurie. What would happen if +she could not send him the money by an early post? + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +COVENTRY. + + +Early the next morning Mrs. Denvers was a good deal surprised by +receiving a letter from Miss Sherrard. It ran as follows: + +"DEAR MRS. DENVERS: I have just heard an extraordinary story from Miss +Worrick with regard to Kitty Malone. She met Kitty with your Fred at a +late hour last night just outside the 'Spotted Leopard.' She was not +wearing an outdoor jacket, and had the college cap on her head. In +consequence, she was spoken to impertinently by some men outside the +public-house, and when Miss Worrick came up had just knocked one of them +down. Miss Worrick says, further, that Kitty showed her great +impertinence; and, in short, that the whole affair was wrong and +disgraceful. It is my painful duty to look thoroughly into this matter, +and I should be glad if you would bring Miss Malone to Middleton School +this morning in order that I may do so. + +"Yours very truly, + +"EMMA SHERRARD." + +"My dear Alice," said Mrs. Denvers, as her daughter entered the room, +"what does this letter mean?" + +Alice read Miss Sherrard's letter hastily. + +"It is exactly as I feared, mother," she said. + +"Exactly as you feared, Alice! What do you mean?" + +"I always told you that Kitty would be certain to get into trouble +sooner or later. Well, she got into trouble last night." + +"But what occurred?" + +"What occurred!" said Fred, who came into the room at that moment. "I +thought you would be talking about poor Kitty. I will tell you exactly +what did occur mother; but first I want to say something else. Kitty is +just as nice a girl as we ever had in the house. She has not a low nor a +small thought in her, but she is excitable, and she has high spirits; +and yesterday evening, when I went into the drawing-room, I found her +there alone, and in no end of a fret because one of her brothers in +Ireland had got into trouble. He had written to her; but she would not +tell me what he said. For some extraordinary reason, which none of us +know, it seems that Elma Lewis can get him out of his trouble, I cannot +pretend to explain what this means; but such is the fact. Poor Kitty was +wild to see Elma, and she asked me if I would walk over to her house +with her. Of course I promised to do so, for it was difficult not to be +good-natured to the poor thing." + +"At what hour was this, Fred?" interrupted Mrs. Denvers. + +"It was rather late, I will own, mother--about half-past nine." + +"Go on, my dear boy. What happened then?" + +"Now it is Alice's turn to get into your black books," continued Fred, +darting a malicious look at his sister. "She doesn't like Kitty, and +nothing that Kitty can do or say is right in Alice's eyes." + +"Fred!" interrupted Alice--"Mother, you have no right to listen to him." + +"I am bound to hear both sides of this story, Alice," said Mrs. Denvers. +"Fred shall tell his side first. Go on, my boy." + +"When I arranged to go with Kitty, she ran upstairs to the bedroom which +she shares with Alice to get her jacket and hat; but Alice had locked +the door, and wouldn't let her in. I heard her crying out and begging of +Alice to do so, or, at least, if she would not, to throw her hat and +jacket out of the window; but no! good nature was not to be expected +from my amiable sister. So then Kitty ran down again, and said that as +the night was warm it really didn't matter a bit; and she asked me to +lend her a cap. I took one from the peg in the hall, never seeing that +it was one of the college caps with the coat-of-arms in front, and Kitty +popped it on, and off we set. We neither of us gave a thought to her +dress, and we walked as fast as possible, chatting and laughing all the +way. All went well till we got in front of that horrid 'Spotted +Leopard,' and there were several lads round the door. I suppose Kitty's +dress attracted them as well as her pretty face, and all in a minute +they surrounded her. Such awful cheek! But do you think Kitty would put +up with their impudence? I never saw a girl like her! She just aimed a +blow straight at one of the fellows and knocked him over as if he were a +ninepin. I can tell you she had the laugh on her side; and I don't +believe we would have heard anything more about it if that mean, +spiteful old cat, Miss Worrick, hadn't been coming round the corner. She +ran up to Kitty, and took possession of her, and marched her off home, +and put her, forsooth, into Alice's custody. That's the explanation of +Miss Sherrard's letter, mother." + +"Dear, dear!" said Mrs. Denvers, "it was a most imprudent thing to do. +But of course, the poor child meant no harm." + +"I should rather think she didn't," cried Fred. "The one you ought really +to blame is Alice. No one would have looked at Kitty, nor thought of her +one way or the other, if Alice had let her get her hat and jacket; but +what was she to do when she was locked out of her own bedroom?" + +"But she know very well that she was breaking rules," said Mrs. Denvers. +"None of the Middleton girls are allowed to go out so late in the +evening except with a suitable escort; and she certainly ought not to +have gone in the dress you have described, my boy. It was all +thoughtlessness; but she will get into sad trouble, I fear." + +"Of course it was thoughtlessness," said Fred; "and the poor thing was +bothered, dreadfully bothered, about that brother in Ireland." + +"I see, mother," said Alice, "that you are determined to take Kitty's +part, whatever happens. She has bewitched you, like all the rest of the +household." + +"Whom have I bewitched now?" asked Kitty, who entered the room just +then. + +"Oh, my poor, dear child," said Mrs. Denvers, "you have got into a +terrible scrape. See this letter which I have just received from your +head-mistress." + +Kitty eagerly seized the letter. She was looking pale, and not like her +usual self. There were heavy black lines under her eyes. The poor girl +had spent most of her night crying. The thought of Laurie was resting on +her soul; she was very anxious about him, and, in consequence, very +miserable. + +"I always said that I hated England," she cried, coloring as she spoke. +"Oh, I know, dear Mrs. Denvers, that you are a jewel; and as to Fred, he +is no end of a darling; and Mr. Denvers is as nice as a man could be. +But there's Alice, and she doesn't like me; and Miss Worrick can't bear +me; and half the girls at school don't understand me, and, for the +matter of that, I don't care for them; and I don't understand your +stiff, proper English ways. I am far and away too wild for England. In +Ireland we would only laugh at such a thing as happened last night. What +does it matter what sort of dress I go out in and at what hour I go, if +I am doing right all the time? I wanted to do something for Laurie, for +my dear, dear Laurie, who is in terrible trouble. Please, Mrs. Denvers, +let me go home again. Let us both go to Miss Sherrard this morning, and +tell her that it is all no use; Kitty Malone was born wild, and wild she +will remain to the end of the chapter. Let me go home; please let me go +home." + +"My poor child, I must not yield to you," said Mrs. Denvers. "You have +been sent to us to be made----" + +"Oh, don't begin it," cried Kitty. "Don't begin to talk about all the +things you have got to make me, and which, to be plain, none of you will +ever succeed in doing, for I was not half nor a quarter as wild in +Ireland. I was considered in some ways the steady one of the family; but +here, why, I am provoked every minute of the day, and I--I can't stand +it much longer." + +"Well, sit down now and eat your breakfast," said Mrs. Denvers, "for we +must soon hurry off to school. Miss Sherrard will want to see us +immediately after prayers." + +Kitty seated herself, but she had little appetite for her food. + +"Why don't you eat?" said Fred, who sat next to her. "Let me help you to +some of this porridge; it's jolly well done this morning, and you always +like it, don't you?" + +"Yes, yes; but I have got a lump in my throat and I can't swallow," +answered Kitty. "Thank you all the same, Fred. There are some chocolates +in my room if you like to steal up in the middle of the day in case I am +locked up, as twenty to one I shall be for this misdemeanor. There are +some chocolates and some rock and toffee. You'll find them in my +left-hand drawer in the corner. I spent a whole sovereign on sweets, as +I told you a few days ago." + +"Oh, thanks. Kitty, you are a brick," whispered Fred back in return. + +"You can take as many as you like, Fred, old boy, for you are a comfort +to me. I'll tell Laurie about you when I go back to Ireland." + +"Come, come, my dears, no whispering," said Mrs. Denvers. "Kitty, if +you don't care for your breakfast, perhaps you will go up to your room +and make yourself tidy for school." + +"Oh, am I not tidy now?" asked Kitty, jumping up and running to the +glass in the overmantel to survey herself. "By the way, do you like my +frock? it is quite new. Don't you think this crimson cotton with the +white sash very effective? It is cool, and yet it's gay. I belong to the +Tug--Oh! I must not mention that. I never did know such a place for +awful secrets as England. I am drawn up every minute by remembering that +I must not mention something. But how do you like my dress, Mrs. +Denvers?" + +"Well, dear, I prefer quieter colors; but we will say nothing more about +it just now. Get your hat, Kitty; put on your outdoor shoes and your +gloves, and come down immediately, for it is time for us to start." + +As soon as Kitty had left the room, Alice turned to her mother. + +"Are you going to encourage her in all her follies?" she asked. + +"My dear Alice, I don't encourage her in her follies; but there is no +use in pulling the poor child up short every moment. She expresses +herself quite correctly when she says that she is wild; she is not +broken in. But to break in Kitty Malone too thoroughly might also break +her heart, and that would never do." + +"Break her heart! I don't believe she has got one," said Alice. "But, +there, I can't talk any longer on the subject." + +It occurred to her that if she started immediately for school she might +call for Bessie Challoner, and tell her what had occurred. Bessie's +sympathy would be very sweet, and Alice determined to secure it if +possible. Accordingly she left the house, and at about a quarter to nine +found herself at Bessie's house. Bessie was standing on the steps +drawing on her gloves. + +"Why, Alice, what has brought you?" she cried; "and where is Kitty?" + +"Oh, don't mention Kitty, if you don't want to rile me beyond +endurance," said Alice. + +"I always do rile you when I mention her," answered Bessie; "but where +is she all the same?" + +"With mother--she is coming to school with mother." + +"With your mother--to Middleton School! What do you mean?" + +"Only that mother has to bring her. She has got into no end of a row." + +"Has she? Oh, I am sorry," said Bessie. + +"Come out, Bessie," said Alice. "It is a little early to get to school, +but we may as well walk slowly, and I will tell you all about it as we +go along." + +This Alice did, enlarging much upon Kitty's dress, her crimson blouse, +her bare arms, the college cap on her head, and her little shoes with +the buckles and rosettes. + +"She must have looked very pretty," said Bessie. + +"Bessie! you really are enough to distract any one. Don't you see the +impropriety of it? Don't you see that this will get all over the place? +People will say that a Middleton girl dressed so unsuitably, so loudly, +that--Oh, don't you see it?" + +"I don't see anything in it except a silly, foolish, girlish act, +uncommonly like Kitty Malone," said Bessie. "You are determined to make +mountains out of molehills, Alice." + +"No, I am not," said Alice. "Anyhow," she added in a tone of triumph, +"Miss Sherrard thinks it disgraceful, and so does Miss Worrick. I +suppose you will not go against the opinions of your own mistresses, +will you, Bessie?" + +"No, no; only I am sorry," said Bessie. + +At that moment the two girls reached the school. Gwin Harley was just +driving up in her pony-chaise, and Elma, as usual, was hovering near. + +"Come here, Elma," said Bessie. "We have something to tell you." + +"What is it?" asked Elma eagerly. + +"It is this," cried Alice. "Kitty Malone has got into the most awful +scrape. She went out last night with Fred in her red blouse--you know +that silk blouse she is so fond of wearing?" + +"I know; it is sweetly pretty," said Elma. + +"Oh, there you are, praising everything she does! Well, anyhow, she wore +it, and her arms were bare to the elbow, and she stuck one of the +college caps on her head. What will Dr. Butler say? She went with Fred +to see you, by the way, Elma. She seemed in an awful hurry to find you. +She was in trouble about her brother, and she said you could help her." + +"Oh, nonsense!" said Elma. But she had an uncomfortable feeling as the +words were said. Her thoughts naturally flew to the eight pounds which +Kitty had lent her. Was it possible that Kitty wanted that lovely, that +beautiful money back again? Elma had felt almost as if she were living +in fairyland from the time that money had been in her possession. She +would part with it whenever the day came with extreme reluctance. + +"Well," she said, "I cannot imagine what she wanted with me; but what +happened?" + +"Some rough boys outside the 'Spotted Leopard' were rude to her, and she +knocked one of them down; then Miss Worrick came up and took her back to +our house; and Miss Sherrard has written this morning to say that mother +is to bring Kitty up to school, and that she must have the whole thing +explained. There's a nice state of things!" + +At that moment the great gong was heard, and the girls were obliged to +troop into the school. Prayers were conducted as usual in the great +hall, and Elma, Gwin, Alice, and Bessie looked in every imaginable +corner for a sight of Kitty Malone. She was not present, however, and +they were obliged afterward to go to their class-rooms without having +caught sight of her beaming and brilliant face. + +Meanwhile Mrs. Denvers and Kitty were waiting for Miss Sherrard in the +head-mistress' private sitting-room. Kitty went to the window and looked +out. + +"I like Miss Sherrard," she said, turning to Mrs. Denvers as she spoke. +"I am really sorry to annoy her. It is about a fortnight ago since she +spoke to me in this very room; she spoke so kindly, and told me that I +had got talents. I was astonished, for I thought she meant cleverness, +and I have always been told that I am a dunce; she said that she knew I +had good abilities, and that besides I had plenty of other +talents--nice dress, and good looks." Kitty colored and flashed a +half-defiant, half-roguish glance at Mrs. Denvers. "She also spoke about +my money as a talent. Oh, dear, I felt half-conceited, half-delighted +when I left her, and I made up my mind that I would be good; but it +seems useless, more than useless. Oh, my poor money, my poor money! I +have got none of it left now, or at least scarcely any." + +"My dear child, no money!" exclaimed Mrs. Denvers. "Impossible. When +you spoke to me last you had about fifteen pounds. Kitty, my dear, it is +wrong for you to squander money in that fashion." + +"But I haven't squandered it, Mrs. Denvers, not really. I have not got +it with me, it is true; but most of it is safe, only I must not talk +about that. There's another secret for you. What an awful place England +is! Oh, dear, dear! I am in a muddle about everything. I can't bear to +stand in this room and remember Miss Sherrard's talk. Fancy her saying +that even my dress was a talent! Now there's something in favor of my +nice red cotton and my dear red silk blouse; and fancy her saying still +more that my looks, my pretty face, was a talent! Mrs. Denvers, do you +think me pretty, very, very, very pretty?" + +"No, Kitty dear, not so wonderfully pretty as that; but you have an +attractive face. Miss Sherrard is quite right; beauty is a gift, +although it used to be my old-fashioned idea that the less girls were +told about their looks the better." + +"Oh, but that's all exploded, love," cried Kitty. "In these days girls +are told when they are pretty just as much as they are told when they +are clever. Now, I'm not clever, not a bit. I'm a dunce, an out and out +dunce; but at any rate I've got a pretty face, and I promised that I +would use my talents for--for the best--" Here she lowered her face and +a thoughtful and beautiful expression came into the great big eyes. "But +it's no use," she added. "I am bothered entirely every day of my life, +and I am just going from bad to worse." + +"Hush, Kitty, you must not talk in that way Hark! I think I hear Miss +Sherrard's step." As Mrs. Denvers spoke the door was slowly opened and +Miss Sherrard, accompanied by Miss Worrick, came in. Miss Sherrard was +just about to speak; but before she could utter a word Kitty rushed to +her. + +"I have failed, darling; I have failed entirely," she gasped out, "I +meant to do right, but I did wrong; I have become worse and worse, +although I cannot see the wrong myself. But Miss Worrick has found it +out. I want to give up the school, darling, and to go back to Old +Ireland. They don't think so badly of me in Old Ireland, and they'll let +me dress as I like and go out when I like; and--and, I am not fit for +England, dear. Please write to dad and tell him so--tell him I am a +failure as far as England is concerned. He'll understand, dear old man. +He'll be sorry, but he'll understand. Let me go home again, please, Miss +Sherrard--let me go home!" + +"No, Kitty, I shall do nothing of the kind," answered Miss Sherrard. +"You must not kiss me just now, my dear; no, I am not pleased at all. +You did very wrong to go out as late as you did last night. You broke +one of the strictest rules of the school, and have brought discredit +upon us all. Miss Worrick, will you please relate exactly what +occurred?" + +Miss Worrick now stood up and made as much as she possibly could of poor +Kitty's little escapade in front of the "Spotted Leopard." The story so +described made anything but a pleasant picture. Miss Sherrard who was +tenacious with regard to the school, and most anxious that each and all +of her girls should bear the highest character for quiet and orderly +behavior, was deeply annoyed. + +"Kitty," she said, "I have always been strangely unwilling to punish +you. I have never ceased to remember that you have not been brought up +like most of the girls here--that you have enjoyed a freer, wilder life. +On that account I have tried to be very patient with you, my dear; but I +am sorry to say that I have no alternative now. I must punish you, and +severely. For the next week you are to stay in during the morning +recess, and after school is over will remain here day by day to learn +different tasks which will be set you. Further, my dear--and this, I am +sure, will be the most severe part of your punishment--your school +companions are absolutely forbidden to speak to you, and you must give +your word of honor that you will hold no communication with any of them +until the week has expired." + +This very severe sentence made poor Kitty quite collapse. She sat down +on the nearest chair and her rosy face turned pale. + +"Oh, I cannot give my word of honor," she gasped. "I must speak. I must +at least speak to Elma Lewis." + +"You are not to speak to any of your companions, with the exception of +Alice Denvers, in whose house you live," said Miss Sherrard. "Kitty, if +you disobey me, I shall have to expel you, and then indeed you will be +disgraced for life. My dear you must bow to my authority--you are to +speak to no girl in the school. I trust to your honor to obey me in this +particular. If you are expelled--and it will certainly happen if I find +that you are not keeping your word--you will be branded for life." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +THE LOST PACKET. + + +After parting with Kitty, Miss Sherrard went back to the school. As she +did so, she said a few words to Miss Worrick. The result of this was +that all the girls were summoned to appear in the great central hall. +When there they were told very briefly--Miss Sherrard standing by her +desk as she spoke--that Miss Malone was in disgrace. + +"Miss Malone has done something which obliges me to put her into +Coventry for a week," said the head-mistress. "Her schoolfellows are +forbidden to have any intercourse with her. If she attempts to speak to +any girl belonging to Middleton School, with the exception of Alice +Denvers, in whose house she is living, that girl holds communication +with her at her own peril. Such a girl stands a grave chance of being +expelled from the school." + +Miss Sherrard then descended from her platform, and the usual work of +the morning went on. + +It may easily be guessed that Kitty Malone, and Kitty Malone only, was +the subject of conversation during recess. What had she done? Why was +Miss Sherrard so very severe on her? It was not often that a Middleton +girl was given such a very terrible punishment. Alice who knew all about +it, and Bessie, who knew a little, were therefore in immense request. +Girls came up to these two in groups to find out what was the matter; +and when they heard from Alice the very glaring account of what Kitty +had really done on the previous night, they listened with open mouths, +giving vent to their feelings in different ways. The larger number +pronounced Kitty's conduct to be the height of all that was disgraceful. + +"Is it true," said one, "that she really wore the college cap? Oh, what +will Dr. Butler say if he finds it out? Alice, you cannot mean that she +had bare arms, bare from the elbows? Oh, impossible!" + +"But Alice," said another, "tell me, did she really, really, knock one +of those horrid boys down?" + +"Yes; like a ninepin, so Fred says," replied Alice. "Oh, it was +disgraceful. Don't talk of it any more; my cheeks burn whenever I think +of it." + +"But after all, Alice"--said Gwin, who came up at that moment. Gwin's +tone sounded quiet, stately, penetrating; it rose above the din which +the other girls were making. "After all, Alice, don't you think that you +were to blame too? Why did you not let Kitty get into your room and +hers? If she wanted to go for a walk it was surely natural enough to ask +for her hat and jacket; you refused to give them to her." + +"Of course I refused," said Alice, who did not at all wish to share any +of poor Kitty's blame. "Kitty knew perfectly well that she was breaking +one of the school rules as well as one of our home rules by going out at +such an hour--it was between nine and ten o'clock. As to her going +without her hat and jacket, such an idea never entered my wildest +dreams. No; bad as I thought Kitty, I did not think her bad enough for +that. There is no excuse for her. She is well punished, and for my part +I cannot but rejoice." + +"For my part," said Gwin gravely, "I am extremely sorry. I like Kitty; I +like her much. She has her faults of course; she is different from any +of the rest of us; she is wild and daring and eccentric; but she is also +the soul of honesty and candor. She is very affectionate and very +generous. She has not been brought up in the least as we have been. +Things we think wrong are not considered wrong by Kitty Malone. As she +herself expresses it, she is a little bit wild. Oh, I am sorry for her, +dreadfully sorry; and I think Miss Sherrard has been too severe. I +wonder at Miss Sherrard. I thought she understood Kitty. She spoke to +mother so kindly about her yesterday; she said there was a great deal of +good in the Irish girl, as she called her; and also said that she was +very glad that I was her friend. Although Miss Sherrard does not know +any of the rules of the Tug-of-war Society, she naturally knows that we +have formed it. She told me that she could not express how pleased she +was at our having asked Kitty to become a member. Girls, I wish I could +speak to Miss Sherrard. I think I will. It will break Kitty's heart to +be kept in Coventry for a week." + +"I doubt if she has a heart," said Alice. "It is all very fine to talk +of her affectionate ways; for my part I call them nothing but impetuous. +She is vain, conceited, and selfish; and provided she gets her own way +does not care what prejudices she rides roughshod over. Oh, I have no +patience with her." + +"But," said Bessie Challoner, who was standing stolidly by, looking +very determined and very quiet, "what did Kitty want out at that hour? +Kitty with all her faults, would not break the rules unless she had a +strong motive. What could have been the matter?" + +"And why did she want to see you, Elma?" said Gwin. "Can you throw any +light on the subject?" + +Elma colored first and then turned pale. Several pairs of eyes were +immediately fixed on her; one girl looked at the other, and a few nodded +significantly. Elma observed the looks and turned away in hot fear. + +"I don't know what she wanted with me," she muttered. + +The rest of the school hours passed as usual, and just before dinner, +when the great school broke up for the day, Kitty was still the subject +for conversation. Gwin lingered a little behind the others, and Bessie +stopped to ask why she was doing so. + +"I have almost made up my mind," she said, "to plead with Miss Sherrard +for Kitty." + +"Oh Gwin; how noble of you. I respect you, I do from my heart; but I +tell you what. Would it not be better for us to do something of this +sort? Why should not all the Tug-of-war girls plead for her? That would +seem more effective and stronger, would it not? Suppose we wrote a +letter, a sort of round-robin, and sent it to Miss Sherrard, begging of +her to forgive Kitty this time; and taking upon ourselves the +responsibility of her future conduct. Oh, I say, Gwin, could we not do +it?" + +"It is a splendid thought," said Gwin; "much--much better than my +talking to Miss Sherrard alone. Look here, Bessie; could we not manage +to have a meeting of the Tug-of-war at my house this evening? Oh, +there's Elma; I'll ask her at once. Elma come here." + +Elma who was just shouldering her books preparatory to leaving the +school, turned when she heard Gwin's voice. + +"What is it, Gwin?" she asked; her manner was a little nervous. + +Gwin hastily repeated Bessie's daring suggestion. + +"Oh, I'll come of course," said Elma; but there was a certain amount of +apathy in her tone. + +"And I will secure Alice; I am getting quite to dislike Alice, though," +said Bessie. + +Gwin promised to write to the other girls at once, and it was finally +arranged that a meeting should be held at Harley Grove that evening +between four and five o'clock. + +Elma walked home alone, musing much over the aspect of affairs. + +"I wonder what Kitty did want with me," she said to herself. "Doubtless +it had something to do with that money. Kitty was in despair, so it +seems. Oh, there's Fred Denvers; perhaps he can tell me something? +Hullo, Fred!" + +Elma stopped; Fred was on his way from college; he was whistling a gay +air, and did not see Elma until he had almost reached her side. + +"Hullo, Elma," he answered; "how are you?" + +"Oh, I am very well, Fred, thank you; but have you heard about Kitty +Malone?" + +"How everybody does cry out Kitty Malone; it will soon be sung by the +birds in the air," said Fred; "Kitty Malone! Kitty Malone! What's the +matter with her now?" + +"Oh, she has got into the most awful scrape; of course you know what +occurred last night?" + +"Rather!" said Fred. "I was with her. I say, Elma, she is about the +pluckiest girl I ever met. Didn't she hit out straight from the +shoulder; and didn't that fellow go down like a ninepin! I don't believe +he is able to see out of his eye to-day. Why, that little hand of hers +is as hard as iron. Who taught her the art of boxing like that? She's a +born fencer! She's a splendid girl. I never met any one like her." + +Elma did not feel so much annoyed at this praise of Kitty as Alice would +have been; but all the same it was scarcely gratifying to her. After +reflecting for a moment, during which Fred was preparing to continue his +swinging pace toward his home, she said suddenly: "But where was she +going, Fred?" + +Fred's big blue eyes lit up with a sudden light of intelligence. + +"What a fool I am!" he said. "You perhaps can throw light on this +mystery. She wanted to see you, Elma. I cannot imagine what about. You +know how fond she is of her brother Laurie? Well, it seems that Laurie +got into some sort of scrape; and Kitty, poor girl, she was in a way +about it; fretting like any thing, and she said no one could help her +but you. Can you tell me what she wanted with you? She was in a rare +hurry to get to your house." + +"Of course I cannot tell," answered Elma. "Who could be responsible for +the vagaries of Kitty Malone? I thought I would ask you. I thought +perhaps you would know. Of course they are talking about it at school, +and they are wondering what I can have to do with it. It is anything but +pleasant for me I can tell you." + +"Oh, you'll manage well enough; you'll fight your own battles. Well, +what have they done with her at the school? You look quite mysterious." + +"I forgot I had never mentioned it to you. They have sent her to +Coventry; Miss Sherrard has done it. We are none of us to speak to her +for a week." + +"Whew!" said Fred, rounding his lips for a prolonged whistle. "Well, +that won't bother Kitty much; I don't suppose talking to you would be +much of a loss to her." + +"But you don't understand, Fred. It's the disgrace, and Gwin Harley +thinks it will break her heart; and--But I must not tell you any more; I +must hurry home." + +"Poor Kitty! Anyhow, there's no embargo put on my talking to her," said +Fred to himself. "Poor old Kit, poor old girl; I'll make it up to her if +I can." + +Fred ran home as fast as he could, and Elma continued her way. + +"There's no doubt of it," she said to herself; "she wants that money. +She will manage, Coventry or not, to ask for it. She promised me +faithfully that she would never tell that I borrowed it from her; but, +being an Irish girl, she is scarcely likely to keep her word. Now that +she is in trouble for some unknown cause, she is certain to blab it +out. Did she not say herself that she could never keep a secret? Oh +dear, what an awful mess I have got into. If it gets to be known that I +borrowed eight pounds from Kitty I shall be expelled. If there is a rule +that the Middleton governors are strict about, it is that by which the +girls are forbidden to borrow money from one another; and eight pounds +is such a large, large sum. All my future will be ruined if this is +known. I had better give her back all the money that is left, and at +once. It would be the safest plan. I can at any rate let her have seven +sovereigns; and perhaps if she has that, she will not say anything +whatever about the matter. How miserable I shall feel without it; but +anything, anything is better than the dreadful fact getting to Miss +Sherrard's ears that I broke one of the strictest rules of the school, +and borrowed eight pounds from Kitty. The Tug-of-war Society would never +again have anything to do with me. I should have the poorest chance of +remaining in the school. It would get to Aunt Charlotte's ears. Yes, +yes; all my future depends on keeping this thing dark. I must get rid of +that dreadful money as quickly as possible. I thought my luck was going +to turn; but it is far too good to be true that I might keep such a +large sum of money safely. Poor Kitty! yes of course, I'm sorry for her; +but she is certain to tell on me. She would think nothing of getting me +into the most terrible scrape. I--I am bound to think of myself first." + +At this point in her meditations Elma reached the house in Constantine +Road. She ran up the steps, let herself in with a latchkey, and went +straight to her room. She opened the drawer where she kept Kitty's +precious sovereigns and put in her hand to take out the little paper +parcel. More than once since she had possessed this money had Elma +examined that little packet, getting up early in the morning to gloat +over it, looking at it the last thing at night; but always taking care +that Carrie should be sound asleep. It gave her comfort, the comfort +almost of a miser to gaze at her gold. She used to forget at these +supreme moments that the gold was in reality not hers at all. She used +to forget everything but the delightful sense of possession. She felt as +if she could never spend the money, as if she must hoard it and hoard it +just for the mere pleasure of looking at it. She knew the exact corner +of the drawer where she kept it; no one ever dared to meddle with Elma's +drawers. She kept the rest of the family more or less in awe of her. As +to Maggie, she was honest as the day. But what was the matter? Search as +she would she could not find the precious little packet. She looked +frantically here, there, and everywhere. Soon she had removed the drawer +from its case and had tumbled all the contents on her bed. Nowhere was +the money to be found. Elma's face turned white as a sheet. She trembled +from head to foot. In the midst of her meditations Carrie entered the +room. + +"My dear Elma, what is the matter?" she cried. + +A glance had shown her what was really wrong. A smile crossed her face. +She walked deliberately across the room and flung herself on her bed. + +"How hot it is," she said with a pant. + +"Dear me, Carrie, why are you so incorrigibly lazy?" said Elma. "Not +that I care--I am in dreadful trouble I------" + +"You look like it," said Carrie. "What is the matter?" + +"I am looking for some money." + +"Money? What money are you likely to have?" + +"Well, it so happens that I have some--a good deal. Carrie have you seen +it?" + +"Have I seen what?" asked Carrie in a provokingly drawling voice. + +"Why, my money. How did you think I got that dress, that dress which you +are racking through at such a furious pace?" + +Carrie was attired in the pale blue nun's-veiling. It was Carrie's way +to have a dress and to wear it morning, noon, and night, destroying all +its freshness. The nun's-veiling was already dirty and draggled-looking. + +"How do you think I got that dress that you made such a fuss about if I +had not money to pay for it?" + +"I am sure I couldn't tell, and what's more, I didn't care," said +Carrie. "What is vexing you now, Elma? Oh! what a commotion you are +making in your poor drawer!" + +"I have just lost seven sovereigns and--Carrie, I see by your face that +you do know something about it. Is it possible that you stole the +money?" + +"How dare you accuse me of such a thing?" said Carrie, flaring up in +apparently most righteous indignation--- in reality she was enjoying +herself immensely. She had made up her mind not to tell Elma the truth +at present. By and by she would tell, after she had well frightened her +sister, but certainly not yet. + +"I know nothing whatever about it," she said, caring little for the lie +which she was telling. "I am sorry you have lost it; but how did you get +it?" + +Elma was silent, shutting up her lips tightly. The dinner-gong sounded, +and the girls went down to their midday meal. + +Carrie soon perceived that Elma was in real trouble. With all her low, +idle, careless, and unprincipled ways, at the bottom of her heart she +was fond of her sister. She made up her mind to visit Sam Raynes that +evening and get him to return the money. + +"Poor old Elma," she said to herself. "I don't want to be too hard on +her. It is not the fun I expected when she looks at me with such +miserable eyes. It would certainly not do for her to get talking to +Maggie." + +"You leave the matter to me. I may have a clue," she said, when dinner +was over. "But rest assured on one point, Maggie has nothing to do with +it, nor has mother." + +Here Carrie ran upstairs, to put on her things preparatory to returning +to her pupils. + +Elma was now alone. The hour was three o'clock. At half-past four she +was to meet Gwin Harley and the rest of the Tug-of-War girls. In the +meantime she knew she could not possibly have any peace of mind until +the seven sovereigns were discovered. + +Mrs. Lewis had gone up as usual to her room to lie down. She had a +headache and was in very low spirits. Elma glanced at her once or twice +and determined not to worry her; but Maggie she considered her lawful +prey. She had given Carrie no promise, and felt sure that Maggie and +Carrie between them were at the bottom of the mystery. She determined to +go into the kitchen and terrify Maggie into confession. + +That young woman was busy giving sundry touches to the charming toque +with which she intended to electrify her young man on the following +Sunday. + +"Maggie," said Elma, "I wish to speak to you." + +"Oh lor! miss, how you startled me," cried Maggie. She jumped up as she +spoke, dropping Kitty's violets to the floor. They were so natural, so +beautiful, so exactly like the real flowers, that more than one girl had +remarked upon them, and among these had been Elma. As they lay on the +by-no-means-too-clean kitchen floor, she stooped now to pick them up. + +"Where did you get these?" she asked in a sharp voice. + +"Oh, Miss Helma, they're mine, and you have no right to 'em," was the +quick reply. + +"Where did you get them, Maggie? You're a bad girl; you must have stolen +them." + +"I steal 'em! I like that," said Maggie, turning first crimson and then +very white. "They was give to me by the young Irish lady." + +"By Miss Malone, Miss Kitty Malone?" + +"Yes, miss; the prettiest young lady I ever clapped eyes on; she give +'em to me herself." + +"Look here, Maggie," said Elma, "the violets don't matter. Let us talk +of something else. Do you know anything about some money which I keep in +my drawer upstairs? Now look me straight in the eyes. I miss that money, +and you know I can call in the police and have your boxes searched. Do +you know anything about it? If you'll tell me the truth I'll be merciful +to you. Last night I had seven sovereigns in my drawer, but now they are +gone. Did you touch them, Maggie? Tell me the truth and at once." + +"I touch your money, miss! I didn't know you had any, that I didn't." + +Poor Maggie's face was a study. Perplexity, despair, indignation swept +over it in a sort of terror. + +"Miss Helma, you're cruel to talk to me like that," she cried. "Me touch +your money! No, that I didn't. Oh, miss, is it the money Miss Malone +come about? Is it gone?" + +A wild hope flashed through Elma's brain, to be discarded the next +moment. Could Kitty have come to the house and visited her room and +taken away her own money herself? + +"What do you mean about Miss Malone?" she cried. + +"She come here miss. Oh, Miss Helma, don't look at me so scornfully. She +came here yesterday and asked for you and when I told her you was out +she writ a letter, and said you was to have it the moment you come in, +and that it was as important as the Bank of England. Yes, that she +did--and she laid it on the blotter in the dining-room. She was the +prettiest young lady I ever set eyes on, and she took them violets out +of her cap and give them to me. She was in an awful way, and said she +wanted to see you on a most important matter. I don't know what she +wrote in the letter; but it may have been about the money, miss." + +"Of course it was about the money," said Elma, who felt more and more +uncomfortable each moment; "but where is the letter, Maggie? Why did I +not get it?" + +"You ask Miss Carrie that, miss. She come in, and--. Oh, but I mustn't +tell any more." + +"But you must and shall," said Elma. She took hold of Maggie fiercely by +her arm, dragged her forward to the light, and looked her full in the +eyes. "Now, tell me every single thing you know, or I'll summon the +police this moment," she said. + +Thus adjured, Maggie fell on her knees and made an ample confession. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +GWIN HARLEY'S SCHEME. + + +Elma felt nearly driven to distraction. All her future depended on the +character which she was able to maintain at school. She did not, and she +knew it, belong to the best class of girls who attended Middleton +School. Elma's father was a man of bad reputation. He had long ago +disgraced his family, and had been obliged to go to Australia. Mrs. +Lewis was better born than her husband; and when trouble came, a sister, +who had been much shocked at her marrying Lewis, came to her aid. She +did not do much for her; but she did something. This sister, a certain +Mrs. Steward, the wife of a clergyman in Buckinghamshire, promised to +look after Elma, who was the cleverest and most presentable of the two +girls. Mrs. Lewis begged that Elma should not be taken away from her; +and Mrs. Steward, angry with herself for what she termed her folly, had +yet yielded to her sister's entreaties. She said she would give Elma +what would be better than a fortune--namely, a first-class education; +and if, when her education was finished, she showed intelligence, and, +above all, a good, sterling, moral character, she would do what she +could to place her in life. Her present intention was, after Elma had +gone through a course of instruction at Middleton School, to send her +to Girton, thus enabling her by and by to take a really good position as +teacher. + +All these things Elma knew well. She was an ambitious girl; she +earnestly desired to secure a good position for herself in life. She +hated her sister Carrie's ways, and detested the grumbling, weak sort of +character which she could not but see that her mother possessed. All the +same, she was not really scrupulous nor high-principled; it was only +that the little mean ways and the petty shifts which went on in the +small house in Constantine Road sorely fretted her. Her intercourse with +girls like Gwin Harley and Bessie Challoner could not but raise her +standard. Carrie's manners and ways disgusted her more and more each +day. + +Now, as she put on her hat and prepared to walk to Harley Grove, she +could not help thinking, with great bitterness, of the unlooked-for +calamity which had come upon her. She was naturally intensely selfish, +and had no idea of sacrificing herself on this occasion. No matter to +what subterfuge she must be obliged to stoop, she would never, never, +let any of the Middleton girls know that she had broken the rule of the +school, and borrowed money from Kitty. For a Middleton girl to borrow +money at all was a black crime; but for any one to take advantage of +Kitty's innocence, her _naļveté_, her wild, daring, reckless ways would +make the crime all the blacker. Elma, were such a sin to be discovered, +would be, if not expelled from the school, which was extremely likely, +at any rate tabooed on the spot by all the nice girls who went there. +Above all things, she longed for and esteemed popularity. Such a course +of treatment would be intolerable. As a matter of course, Mrs. Steward +would be told of her niece's transaction. Mrs. Steward would say, "Like +father, like daughter." She would cease to patronize Elma. The fees for +her schooling would be withdrawn, and Elma herself must sink to the +level which Carrie had long ago reached. + +"It cannot be," she thought; "whatever happens, I must keep this +miserable story from the ears of the girls and mistresses. At the +present moment I am fairly safe. Wild and reckless as Kitty is, she +would not dare to hold intercourse with any of the Middleton girls now. +Alice is the only one allowed to speak to her, and Alice she will +certainly not confide in, for she so cordially hates her. Yes, I know +perfectly well what I am going to Harley Grove for. Gwin is full of +sympathy for Kitty; so is Bessie Challoner. Romantic and silly they both +are; but Alice at least will be on my side. I will oppose the petition +which the Tug-of-war girls intend to send to Miss Sherrard. Kitty must +not be set at liberty until I can return her the money. Carrie has it, +beyond doubt. What she has done with it I don't know; but most likely I +shall be able to give it back to Kitty to-morrow." + +Having made up her mind, Elma walked briskly forward. She would she felt +certain, be very unpopular if she opposed the vote which, unless she did +something to prevent it, would be carried by the majority in Kitty's +favor. She was anxious to see some of the other Tug-of-war girls. It was +all-important that a majority should be against Kitty, not for her. + +When she arrived at the avenue which led to Harley Grove she met Alice, +and a moment later two other girls of the names of Matilda and Jessie +Forbes came pantingly up. + +"Oh, do wait for us," they cried, seeing Elma and Alice linger for a +moment at the gate. + +"Alice," said Elma, "before they join us I want to speak to you. Are you +for Kitty, or against her?" + +"How do you mean?" asked Alice in some wonder. + +"I mean, are you going to vote that this petition should be sent to Miss +Sherrard or are you not?" + +"I am going to vote against it, of course," said Alice, with a short +laugh. + +"Well, I am on your side; I wish to say so." + +"You, Elma! I thought you would never oppose Gwin Harley. You are one of +those people who know where their bread is buttered. Why do you take my +part on this occasion?" + +"Because," said Elma, flushing deeply, for, hardened little sinner as +she was, she had not perfect control over her emotions--"because I think +Kitty richly deserves what she has got. It would never do to have this +sort of thing going on at the school. But look here, Alice, if the +petition is not to be sent to Miss Sherrard, we must try and have a +majority on our side. Why should we not secure Matilda and Jessie +Forbes?" + +"I never thought of that," said Alice; "but really, Elma, now I come to +consider it, as far as I personally am concerned, I don't much care. It +matters very little to me whether Kitty gets out of Coventry or not. I +shall have to speak to her however the tide turns. You do seem strangely +eager on the subject." + +"When I join a certain side I don't wish it to be the losing one," said +Elma, as calmly as she could. "Hullo, Matilda, how out of breath you +are! You need not have run so fast; you could see that we were waiting +for you." + +"Well, you see," said Jessie Forbes, who was also panting as she came +up, "we have never yet been to Harley Grove. Is it not a very grand +place, Elma? Was it not kind of Gwin to ask us, and--Oh, of course, we +are full of sympathy for that poor, dear Kitty Malone." + +"Why do you pity her?" asked Elma coldly. + +"Because the poor darling didn't know any better. Does it not seem silly +to make such a fuss about such a trifle? I can't imagine why Miss +Sherrard has been so very severe." + +"I don't agree with you at all," said Elma. "I think Kitty richly +deserves her punishment. Of course," she added, "I don't want to be +really hard on her; but unless she is made to feel shame when she does +an _outré_ and extraordinary thing like she did last night, she will go +on doing similar deeds, and get the whole school into disgrace." + +"Oh dear, yes," said Jessie, "that is perfectly true, and I should not +like father to know that one of the Middleton girls had been spoken to +by a rude boy in the street. I really believe he would take us both from +the school." + +"If you think so," said Elma, "you ought to oppose the petition." + +"Are you going to, Elma?" + +"Certainly." + +"But you are a friend of hers, are you not?" + +"Of course I am. I am very fond of her." + +"And you oppose it for her good?" + +"Undoubtedly; altogether for her good." + +"And Miss Sherrard does know what is right," said Matilda, in a +thoughtful voice. "Miss Sherrard was never a severe teacher. We all love +her dearly." + +"And she is very fond of Kitty," said Elma. "I know that for a fact." + +"Yes, and so do I know it to my cost," said Alice shrugging her +shoulders. She walked up the avenue as she spoke. Jessie ran after her. + +"What side are you going to take Alice?" she asked. + +"Miss Sherrard's," replied Alice shortly. + +Meanwhile Elma had slipped her hand gently through Matilda's arm, and +looking up into the face of the taller girl, said in her most +insinuating voice: + +"I do think, painful as it is, that we ought to take Miss Sherrard's +side. Gwin is so enthusiastic, poor dear, and so is Bessie Challoner, +that they are certain to be led away by their feelings. Now, Miss +Sherrard is the most sympathetic and kindest of head-mistresses, she +would not have given Kitty so severe a punishment without reason." + +"That is true," said Matilda. "Only, of course, you see, Elma, I don't +want to go against Gwin. I am so terribly anxious to become her friend. +I admire her so immensely. I don't think there's any other girl in the +school to equal her." + +"I should think there isn't," said Elma with sudden warmth. + +"I am sorry she has taken Kitty Malone's part--poor Kitty! We certainly +all think her charming; but if father were to hear of it!" + +"You would not like him to take you from the school now," said Elma, +"just when you have such a good chance of the literature scholarship?" + +"I should think not; it would be a dreadful blow. But he would be--oh, I +cannot tell you how shocked he would be!" + +"And he would be more shocked, would he not, if he heard that you had +taken Kitty's part, and had signed the petition against Miss Sherrard?" + +"Of course, I never thought of that. I declare Elma, you are clever. I +will mention what you say to Jessie, and tell her that she must go +against the petition." + +Elma felt that she had won her point. There would be at least four girls +against Gwin's motion, and probably others would follow their example. + +When the girls arrived at the house, they were shown immediately into +Gwin's pretty private study. Gwin was standing by the open window. She +had a book in her hand, but was not reading it. She was looking +anxiously out. There was a perplexed expression on her fine face, and +her large deep gray eyes were full of emotion. + +"I am so glad you have come," she said when she saw the girls. "I hope +all the Tug-of-war girls will be present. The more I think of this +affair the more certain I am that it will be the ruin of Kitty Malone." + +Elma looked sympathizingly at her friend, Alice frowned, Matilda and +Jessie did not know where to look, nor what to say. If they had not met +Alice and Elma they would have certainly gone heart and soul with Gwin +in the matter. + +"Sit down, won't you, girls?" said Gwin. "Tea will be ready in a +moment--are you not thirsty?" + +"Yes, it's a very hot day," said Jessie, somewhat timidly. + +"And you had a long walk; but it was really kind of you to come. We +won't do anything until some more of the Tug-of-war Society arrive. But +perhaps my letters have not reached the others." + +"Oh, I know the Hodgsons are coming," said Matilda Forbes, "because I +met them." + +"I am glad of that. Ah, and here is Bessie." + +Bessie Challoner at this moment entered the room. She shook hands with +the Forbes girls, whom she had not met before that day, nodded to Alice, +and going up to Gwin began to whisper in her ear. + +Gwin looked more anxious. + +"All the same I am determined to do it," she said. + +"I am certain Miss Sherrard will be very angry," said Bessie. "Had you +really better, Gwin?" + +"I certainly had better. I am not afraid of Miss Sherrard, nor twenty +Miss Sherrards, when I think I have a righteous cause. She does not know +Kitty as well as I know her. Ah, here you are," she said as, the +Hodgsons, two rather dowdy, but affectionate girls, came quickly into +the room. + +"What's this Gwin?" cried Mary, the elder; "something wrong with that +Irish girl? What can be up?" + +"I will explain everything to you after we have had tea. Ah, here it +comes!" + +Gwin walked to the table, where the footman now placed tea and cakes, +and began to dispense the refreshments. The girls stood round her +chatting, munching cake and drinking tea. The afternoon sun poured into +the room. Outside it was cool and shady. Gwin went to the window and +drew down the green venetian blinds. + +"Now, that is cooler," she said. "Have you all had enough?" + +"Yes, thank you," answered one or two. + +Gwin rang the bell, and the servant came to remove the tea equipage. + +"And now to business," said Gwin. "What I briefly propose to do is this: +Kitty Malone is in trouble. As a member of the Tug-of-war Society, the +rest of the society is bound to support her. I am most anxious that she +should get all the support in our power. She is not like any of us; she +has been differently brought up. What she did last night was the result +of impetuosity and overzeal. She was troubled about her brother, and for +some extraordinary reason thought that Elma could help her. Elma, can +you throw any light on the matter?" + +"None whatever," answered Elma in a stout voice. + +"She went out with the college cap on and without her jacket, and for +that reason some rough, rude boys talked to her, and she knocked one of +them down in trying to defend herself, and so got into a terrible +scrape. Miss Worrick, it seems, witnessed the transaction, and she told +Miss Sherrard. Miss Sherrard was very much annoyed, and has put Kitty +into Coventry for a week. We are none of us allowed, on pain of instant +dismissal, to speak to her. Now, my proposal is this; that we write a +little petition, and each of us sign it, and then that I take it to Miss +Sherrard. I want to ask Miss Sherrard to allow the members of the +Tug-of-war Society to speak to Kitty. I want to ask her to allow us all +to do our best during her week's punishment to show her that this wild +and erratic way will not go down in England; I want her to allow us to +do our utmost by kindness to overcome Kitty's wild nature. I have +scarcely any doubt, girls, that Miss Sherrard will approve of our +scheme." + +"Well, I for one approve of it most heartily," said Bessie Challoner. "I +believe severity would ruin a girl like Kitty. You cannot drive her; she +must be led." + +"Thank you, Bessie. I knew you would feel with me. And now, girls, I +will put this thing to the vote. All who are in favor of the scheme hold +up their hands." + +The Forbes girls looked tremblingly, with flushed cheeks and glittering +eyes, at Elma and Alice. Their hands went half up and then dropped again +into their laps. It was the fear of their father's displeasure which +prevented their going altogether with Gwin. The Hodson girls immediately +held up their hands; but Alice, Elma, Matilda, and Jessie plainly showed +that they did not mean to sign the petition. + +"Is this possible?" said Gwin in a vexed voice. "I surely thought there +was not--Elma, you must be at the head of this. What is your reason for +not joining us?" + +Alice looked as if she were about to speak; but Elma jumped at once to +her feet. + +"I don't join you because I do not agree with you, dear Gwin. I believe +Miss Sherrard knows a great deal better than we do what is good for a +girl. I am certain she will be much annoyed by our interfering; and for +my part I think a week in Coventry will do Kitty Malone no harm." + +"I am surprised and disappointed in you, Elma," said Gwin, "Alice, what +is your feeling?" + +"Oh, I absolutely agree with Elma," said Alice. "I think it would be a +rare comfort to take any means to subdue and crush out of sight, even +for one week, that most obnoxious person Kitty Malone. The unfortunate +part is that I shall have to do with her even during her week in +Coventry." + +"But surely," said Gwin, in some astonishment, "you two Forbes girls can +have nothing to say against Kitty. It cannot injure you in any way that +we should plead for the mitigation of her punishment." + +"Well, the fact is this," said Jessie, standing up as she spoke, and +looking very miserable. "Father is most particular; he is almost faddy, +you know, Gwin--and if he ever heard that a girl from the school did +exactly what Kitty did last night--I mean that she went out so late +against rules, and was dressed in such a queer way, and was obliged to +knock down a rude boy in order to protect herself--why, I think he would +take us from school. Then if father also heard that we had gone against +Miss Sherrard's authority, we--Oh, I cannot say it exactly as I ought; +but Gwin, I would rather not sign that paper." + +"All right," answered Gwin in some vexation. + +"Then my scheme falls through. Four against and four for. We have only +one other member of the Tug-of-war except poor Kitty herself, and she, I +am afraid, cannot come, as she is ill with a bad cold. Well, I shall see +Miss Sherrard alone and must take my chance." + +"Yes, if you please; that would be much the best plan," said Jessie, +sinking down into her seat with a sigh of relief. + +Soon afterward the little party at Gwin Harley's house separated. There +was a feeling of restraint over them which Gwin's guests seldom +experienced. They were not at one. It was impossible to talk any longer +on the subject with which their hearts were full. Gwin was anxious to +prepare the exact arguments she intended to use with Miss Sherrard. She +looked relieved when Elma made the first move of departure. Alice jumped +up also with alacrity. + +"Good-by Gwin," she said. "I think you are doing wrong to interfered in +this matter. A little punishment will do Kitty Malone no more harm than +it does any other girl. Of course it's not pleasant; punishment never +is. Good-by; take my advice and allow Kitty Malone to shift for +herself." + +Gwin made no reply at all to this. She gave Alice a cold nod, and the +four girls who now formed the opposition left the house. + +"Good-by to all chance of my friendship with Gwin," said Jessie Forbes +rather miserably as they walked up the avenue. + +"Oh, never mind, Jessie, you did the right thing," said Alice. "What is +the good of toadying? I hate toadies. If you are ever to become a +friend of Gwin Harley's you will see that she hates them also, although, +perhaps I am wrong to say that." Here she glanced somewhat significantly +at Elma. Elma colored and turned her head aside. + +When they reached the top of the avenue the girls turned each to go +their several ways. Elma hurried home as fast as she could. + +"I must get that money by hook or by crook this evening," she said to +herself. "I wonder where Carrie has hidden it. Bad as she is, she would +certainly not steal it from me. Oh, it is safe of course, and I must get +it and manage to convey it to Kitty to-night, and then as far as I am +concerned I don't care how soon the poor thing gets out of Coventry." + +When Elma reached home the first person she saw was Carrie. Carrie was +standing on the steps of the shabby little villa in Constantine Road +talking to a fiery-haired young man. + +Elma never condescended to have anything to do with Raynes. Giving him a +very cold nod now, she was about to enter the house when Carrie caught +her arm and stopped her. + +"Why don't you speak to Sam?" she said. "Sam, this is my sister, Elma." + +"How do you do?" said Elma. "I am sorry I cannot wait now; I want to see +mother." + +"There's no use in your going in if it's mother you want," pursued +Carrie. "She has gone out for the evening. Mrs. Duncan has asked her to +tea. I am glad of it. A little change will do her good." + +"I won't keep you now, Car," said Raynes, turning to Carrie and giving +her a somewhat clumsy nod. He looked askance at Elma, and the next +moment had clattered down the steps, and, turning the corner, was out of +sight. + +"What a creature!" said Elma. "I wonder you have anything to do with +him, Carrie. I think, even for my sake, seeing that Aunt Charlotte is +doing so much for me--" + +"Now stop that," said Carrie; "I won't have a word of abuse against Sam. +He suits me very well. I'm not a fine lady, and I never mean to be a +fine lady. I shall be very comfortable as his wife some day, and I don't +want you to abuse him. Whether you like him or not, he is going to be +your brother-in-law and--Why, Elma, how tired you look!" + +"I am tired and worried, and I want to speak to you," said Elma. + +"To speak to me?" answered Carrie, a little alarm coming into her voice +in spite of herself. "What for? Anything special? Are you prepared to +make me a present of another dress; I could do with a white one now the +weather is getting so very hot, and Sam would like me in white. White +with pink ribbons would be a change, or mauve--mauve ribbons look so +sweetly cool with white." + +"I am not going to listen to any of your nonsense," said Elma. "I want +to ask you a straight question. Where is my money?" + +"Your money? What do you mean?" + +"What I say. I have heard the whole story from Maggie, and I can bring +her as a witness. You have put that money in hiding, and I want it at +once. There, Carrie, like a dear old soul, do own up. Let me have the +money without any more delay. Of course you have not stolen it. I know +you have not; but you have hidden it. I wish you would give it back now. +If I can't return it to its rightful owner to-night I shall get into +worse trouble. Do let me have the money back." + +Carrie's face also now became pale. + +"I wish I could," she said in a frightened voice. "Do you mean to say +that you really want it back?" + +"Why, of course. You haven't spent it? Oh, if you have I am +ruined--ruined for life." + +"No, I have not spent it; but the fact is I--What a little wretch that +Maggie was to tell!" + +"She couldn't help herself; I made her. Now, speak out, Carrie. Oh, we +need not go indoors. Where is the money? Please, please, Carrie, let me +have it at once." + +Elma's troubled face, her trembling hands, the anxiety depicted all over +her nervous little figure, could not but show Carrie that there was +something serious in the wind. + +"Well," she said, "I am awfully sorry. I--I just did it in a fit of +mischief. I read that letter which Kitty Malone wrote to you, and it +seemed to throw light on some of your actions which had puzzled me of +late. I went to your drawer and found the money, and thought I would +give it to Sam to keep for you." + +"To Sam Raynes?" cried Elma, backing a few steps, her voice assuming a +tone of terror. + +"Yes. Do be careful, Elma, or you'll fall right down into the area. Why +shouldn't I lend it to Sam Raynes?" + +"Lend it?" + +"Well, well, it's all the same; I asked him to keep it for me." + +"I'll go to him at once and get it," said Elma, preparing to run down +the steps. + +Carrie caught her by the arm. + +"I'm awfully sorry," she said, "but it's no use, he--he says we cannot +have it for a week, perhaps a fortnight. He is doing a little deal with +it, as he expresses it. He says perhaps we'll have it back doubled." + +"What can you mean, Carrie?" Elma knew nothing whatever about +speculation. That will-o'-the-wisp which leads so many astray had not +yet entered into her life. + +"You need not look so miserable. Won't you like to have it back again, +not seven pounds but fourteen? and Sam says this will probably be the +case in a week or a fortnight, or at any rate in a month from now." + +Elma threw up her hand in despair. + +"If I have to wait a month for the money," she said, "I may as well +never have it. Oh Carrie, what have you done? You have ruined me, ruined +me! Carrie, I cannot lead a low, common life like yours; I am not fit +for it. Oh, Aunt Charlotte will never do anything more for me after +this. Kitty wants the money, and I cannot give it to her. Oh, Carrie, to +think that you should have ruined my life!" + +Poor Elma covered her face with her trembling hands and went into the +house. She entered the shabby little sitting-room and sank into the +nearest chair. Carrie stood near her in real perplexity and agitation. + +"What a pity you didn't confide in me when you brought it home," she +said. "Of course I didn't really want to do you an ill turn, Elma; but +you were so sly and secretive, and--and I thought I would have my joke. +You don't know how precious dull my life is; and when I saw that letter +and felt that you were keeping a nice little hoard of money, all private +and without the knowledge of your sister, it was just too much for me, +and I took it to Sam because I didn't know where to hide it safe in this +house." + +"The thing that matters," said Elma, "is the fact that I cannot get it +back. But I must get it; I must see Sam Raynes at once." + +"Tell me why it is so bad," said Carrie. "You must confide the whole +thing to me now. There's no use in keeping secrets from your sister." + +Thus adjured, and because she was almost distracted, poor Elma did tell. +She described as well as she could the terrible position she would be in +at Middleton School if the whole of this transaction were known. She +managed to a certain extent to open Carrie's eyes. + +"Although, I cannot see what they would be so angry about," said Carrie. +"You were offered the money and you accepted it. You never wanted to +keep it; you would have given it back some time; and even if you did +keep that Irish girl out of it for a month, what would it have mattered? +But there--I see you are in a state, and I am sure I don't want to ruin +your life. You, with your high-faluting notions, must not have all your +ambitions dashed to the ground. We'll go together to see Sam, and try to +find out what can be done." + +"Yes, let us go at once," said Elma in feverish haste. "I wanted to take +the money to Kitty to-night. At present she cannot tell on me; but she is +quite certain to do so if I don't return it to her at once. Let us go +down to see Sam now." + +"All right," answered Carrie; "come along. I dare say we'll find him at +home. I hope we shall." + +Five minutes later the girls were standing outside the door of the +Raynes' very humble dwelling. It was opened by Florrie Raynes herself. + +"Hullo, Carrie, what do you want now?" she cried. "Oh, and _Miss_ +Lewis," with a mocking emphasis on the word "Miss." "To what do we owe +the honor of this visit?" + +"I want to see your brother," said Elma brusquely. "He has got some +money of mine, which I must ask him to have the goodness to return at +once." + +"Money?" said Florrie, opening her eyes rather wide. "Well, you can see +him for yourselves; but if it's money that is lent to Sam, I--I rather +pity the girl who wants to get it back from him again. Sam is a very +whale on money. He always swallows it wholesale." + +With these anything but encouraging words, Florrie threw open the door +of the shabby little smoking-room, where Sam, with a pipe in his mouth, +was lying at his ease. He started up when he saw the girls, removed his +pipe, and going up to Carrie, laid his hand familiarly on her shoulder. + +"Well, Car, so you could not do without me," he said with a smile. + +"The fact is this," answered Elma, "my sister has told me that she gave +you seven pounds a couple of nights ago to keep for her. That money +happens to have been lent to me, and I want it back immediately. I have +come for it. Will you give it to me, please?" + +Sam drew in his breath preparatory to giving a long whistle. + +"Highty! tighty!" he cried. "You have very grand airs, Miss Elma Lewis; +but I didn't know that money was borrowed. Ho! ho! this puts a very +unpleasant complexion on things. When dear old Car brought it to me I +thought I might do what I liked with it. Did you not give me to +understand as much Car?" Here he gave Carrie a perceptible wink. She was +very much under his influence, and immmediately too her cue. + +"Well, yes, Sam," she answered. "I did say you might speculate with it +if you liked." + +"Of course you did, my little girl, and I took the hint and did +speculate with it, and a pretty little deal I made. So if you have +patience, Miss Elma, you will get your money back doubled, then you will +be able to return the principal and have a nice little nest-egg of your +own. Now, what do you say to that? Aren't you awfully obliged to me?" + +"I say," replied Elma, "that I want the money immediately. I cannot wait +until you have doubled it, as you call it, whatever you mean by that. +Please let me have it at once, Mr. Raynes. I must have it, I----" + +"I am afraid you ask for the impossible," said Sam in a careless tone. +"I have speculated with the money, and the returns will come in perhaps +in a week, perhaps a fortnight, perhaps longer. I say again that you +ought to be obliged to me. It is not every fellow who would take so much +trouble." + +Poor Elma gave him a despairing glance. There was evidently nothing more +to be got out of him. She left the house without a word. Carrie followed +her into the street. + +"Oh Elma, don't look so miserable," said Carrie. "What is the good of +sinking into despair?" + +"Don't talk to me," said Elma, pushing her sister's hand away. "You have +ruined me; that is the sort of sister you are. And I would have done +anything for you, Carrie. When I rose myself and improved myself in the +social scale, when I got my post as teacher, I would have done all in my +power to aid you and mother; but now--now we must all sink together. Oh, +Carrie, to think that I should be ruined by my own sister!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +PADDY WHEEL-ABOUT'S OLD COAT. + + +It was a moonlit evening in the County Donegal, and there was a broad +bar of silver shining in burnished splendor across the beautiful Lake +Coulin. Two boys were standing on the edge of the lake. A +prettily-trimmed little boat was lying at their feet. One, the taller of +the two, was standing with his hand up to his ear, listening intently. + +"Ah, then, Pat, can't you stop that shuffling?" he cried to his younger +companion. "I can't listen if you keep whistling and moving your feet. +It is about time for Daneen to appear. Kitty is sure to send the tinos, +dear old girl. Father takes care to keep her well supplied." + +"There, I hear Dan's horn; he is coming through the Gap," cried Pat, his +face lighting up. "Stay there, Laurie, and I'll run to meet him. He'll +just be at the other side of Haggart's Glen when I get up." + +The younger boy put wings to his feet, and the next moment was out of +sight. The older boy, thrusting both his hands deep into his pockets, +stood staring straight before him into the silver light caused by a full +moon. The white radiance lit up his young person, his pronounced +features, and handsome face. There were gloomy depths in his big black +eyes, although the slightest movement, the faintest play of expression +would cause them to dance with vitality and fun; the petulant +expression, round lips, curved and cut with the delicacy of a cameo, was +very manifest. The lad was built in almost Herculean mould, so broad +were his shoulders, so upright and tall his young figure. With his head +thrown back, the listening attitude on his face, his black hair swept +from his forehead, he looked almost like a young god--all was _verve_, +expectancy, eagerness in his attitude. + +"If only Kitty is true it will be all right," he muttered. "Ah, then, +what a fool I was when I allowed the other fellows to tempt me to play +that practical joke on old Wheel-about. I don't think the governor minds +anything else; but he cannot stand our making fun of that poor, old, +half-witted chap. Never again will I do such a thing. I would not have +father know this matter for all the world. Hullo! there comes Pat. I +wonder if he has got my letter." + +"Nothing, nothing, and worse than nothing," sang out Pat, extending two +empty hands as he approached. + +"No letter for me?" cried Laurie. He stepped out of the light, and +striding up to his brother, laid one of his big hands on the boy's +slighter shoulder. "No letter? But did you really meet Daneen?" + +"Of course I did. Don't grip me so hard, old chap. He had only one +letter in his pocket, and that was for Aunt Honora, two newspapers for +father, and a heap of circulars--nothing else whatever." + +"But are you certain sure? Surely Kitty would not fail a gossoon when he +was in trouble." + +"I tell you, Laurie, there was nothing from her, nor from any one, +except that one letter for Aunt Honora; but perhaps you'll hear in the +morning." + +Laurie made no reply; his hands dropped to his sides. The next moment he +dived into his trousers pocket and extracted a few coins. + +"Have we enough for a telegram, I wonder?" he said. "Ah, to be +sure--why, we can send one now for sixpence. And I have tenpence here. +I'll wire at once. I say, Pat, we must go to the nearest post office, +and to-night. We will start now; do you mind? We can row across the +Coulin, and anchor the boat at the opposite side, and then it is only +eight miles across the mountains to Ballyshannon." + +"But James Dunovan will have shut up the office," exclaimed Pat; "and if +we are absent from supper what will father say?" + +"Old Jim knows us; he'll open fast enough when he hears that we two lads +have come on business." + +"But they can't send the telegram after the office is shut." + +"Don't make difficulties, Pat. I tell you this is a serious business. +You don't want to be banished from the country do you? We'll go +to the post office at once, and see that the message is sent to Kitty +the very first thing in the morning. Come, what are young lingering +for?" + +"Supper is waiting, and Aunt Bridget will make a fuss. You know we are +not allowed to be out after ten at night." + +"Bother!" cried Laurie. "Well, then, we must go home first. What a +nuisance. We'll have a bite, and then slink out. The dad can think we +have gone to bed. Why, Pat, old boy, I met Wheel-about to-day, and he +was like a mad man. He told me he had collected all that money for his +funeral. What apes we were to touch the coat!" + +"Sure, it's unlike Kitty not to write," said Pat. "She is the last in +the world to leave a fellow in the lurch." + +"Don't I know that? Who's fault it is it isn't hers, poor old girl. +Something has happened to the letter. Now, Pat, let us get supper over, +for we have no time to lose." + +As Laurie spoke he fastened the little boat securely by a rope to a +stone near by, and then the lads turned their backs upon the +silver-burnished lake, and strode into the darkness of a narrow mountain +defile. The path was steep, and they had to scramble up, doing so with +the agility of young ponies. + +"It is the thought of Wheel-about that bothers me entirely," said +Laurie, after a pause. "I don't want to have it lying on my soul--upon +my honor I don't--that I turned the poor old chap's brain still +crazier." + +"Oh, the money will come along before Saturday," said Pat; "and you know +you told him he must wait until Saturday. Don't you worry, Laurie. Come +on, I tell ye; there's the gong sounding at the Castle." + +The deep notes of a very sonorous old gong were distinctly borne on the +breeze; the boys ran, hurrying and panting. A few moments later they had +climbed an almost inaccessible rock, had tumbled over each other up a +lawn, and entered a huge hall, where supper was spread. Squire Malone +was seated at the head of the table; down both sides were crowded +guests and different retainers--Squire Malone's cousins, all of them, +some to the fifth or sixth removed. Miss Honora Malone was at the foot +of the table, and Miss Bridget presided at the tea tray at one of the +sides. + +"Sit down, you lads," roared the squire when he saw his sons; "you have +been keeping us waiting. Now take your places and fall to." + +The boys dropped into the seats reserved for them without a word. They +were hungry, and enjoyed the abundant fare provided. Miss Honora began +to address them with a volley of words. + +"Ah, then, boys," she said, "it is ashamed of you I am. Why should you +come in to supper like that, without your hair brushed or your hand +washed and looking as rough as a pair of young colts? Look at me, now, +how neat I am--I have changed my dress for the evening." As she spoke +she glanced at her thin arms, bare to the elbow, and touched the gold +chain that encircled her scraggy throat. "You'll never get Dublin +manners, you two," she continued, "and what will you do when you go into +society? Ah, it is enough to break the heart to look at ye." + +Laurie winked boldly at her; Pat laughed, and helped himself so some +potatoes. + +"Dennis," called out the lady, addressing her brother, "don't you agree +with me that it is very bad manners on the part of the boys to come to +supper without so much as washing their hands or brushing their hair? +Ought they not to put on evening clothes now that they are almost +assuming manhood's estate?" + +"Oh, leave 'em alone, Honor," was the reply. "Boys will be boys, and +Castle Malone is Liberty Hall. Time enough a few years hence to put on +that high-faluting style. I like 'em as they are: rough diamonds no +doubt, but diamonds all the same." + +The old man looked fondly at his sons. He was a picturesque-looking +figure, with snow-white hair. + +"What will you do, lads, when I send you to England to school?" he said. + +"England, father?" said Pat, turning pale. "It would kill me to leave +the soil on which I was born. Ah, now, father, I could not live through +it; and as to Laurie, why he would--Laurie, you know what you would do." + +"Oh, father's joking," said Laurie, but his face went a little white, and +as he drained off a great glass of ice-cold water his hand trembled a +trifle. + +"It would not be for the making of our happiness, father," he said, just +glancing at his father. "Pat is right--it would about kill us both." + +"You young beggars, kill you, indeed!" cried the squire. "Well, I have +not made my plans yet. I am thinking of it, and you may as well know it. +I have sent the girleen away, and if you can't stand what she can, why, +I don't think you have much grit in you. As to Pat, when he's a little +older he'll have to prepare for the army." + +"Ay, and that's a fine polishing up," said Aunt Bridget, bridling as she +spoke, and arranging the set of her very fashionable sleeve. "My jewel +of a lad, you'll know what life is like then. You'll think a deal of +your clothes, and of the sort of thing that will kill the girls then. +Why, if you know how to manage, and with my help I dare say I can +contrive it for you, you'll get easily into the very height of Dublin +society, and be petted, and spoiled, and coaxed no end. I wonder, now, +how that girleen is conducting herself. Sometimes, Dennis when I look at +you and think how your heart is wrapped up in her and how she is so to +speak the jewel of your eye and the core of your heart I wonder how you +had the courage to let her go." + +"Don't you worry me about it," cried the squire. "I did it for her good. +Laurie, where are you off to?" + +"I have had about enough supper," answered Laurie. Pat also scrambled +to his feet. + +"You are as ill-mannered a pair of young cubs as I ever came across," +cried Miss Honora, now really angry. "Why, the syllabub is coming on +soon, and the trifle, and the cream that I whipped myself. Well, Pat, +you'll have to mend your manners when you get into the army; and as to +you Laurie, you'll never be as good a squire as your father, try hard as +you may." + +A loud laugh at the head of the table interrupted the good lady's flow +of words. + +"Honora, my woman, you are talking to the air," called out the squire. +"The boys are out of earshot. Bless 'em can't you let 'em be? They are +hearty lads, and I don't think I'll send either of them out of the +country unless they happen to displease me." + +Meanwhile the lads had gone down to the lake, unshipped the little boat, +and were by this time half across the Coulin. They soon reached the +opposite shore, jumped to land, pulled up the boat, fastened it, and +started along a long narrow and mountainous path which was the shortest +cut to Ballyshannon. They walked so quickly and the hill was so steep +that they had little or no time for words. Nor were they boys who talked +much when they were alone. Laurie was given to his own meditations. Pat +was always planning some scheme which should circumvent Aunt Honora, who +lived with them, and annoy Aunt Bridget, who nearly lived with them, +although not quite. Aunt Bridget was the most fashionable member of the +family; her real home was in Dublin. She was the one who had worked upon +the squire's feelings until he had decided to send Kitty to an English +school. Pat was not fond of either of his aunts, but he disliked Aunt +Bridget the most. After an hour-and-a-half's brisk walking they reached +Ballyshannon, knocked up the postmaster, who had gone to bed, asked him +to let them in, and confided to him what they wanted. He was a +hearty-looking Irishman, and was soon as much interested in the telegram +which Laurie was to send as the boy was himself. + +"You have heard what a scrape I have got into?" said Laurie. + +"About that poor, mad fellow?" said James Dunovan. + +"Yes; some other fellows and I stole his coat away in a fit of frolic +that day when we were out in the crazy boat on the Coulin. A sudden +breeze got up and the boat upset; and the coat--bad luck to it--sank to +the bottom like a stone. We have tried to get it up, but it is all no +go; it has got right into the mud, and not all the boys in Ireland +could move it. If the squire heard we had played a trick on Wheel-about +he would just do what I don't want him to." + +"And what may that be, Master Laurie?" + +"Why, Jim, he would banish me to England. You think of that!" + +"Ah, to be sure, sir; and it would be a hard punishment entirely, and +all for a boy's freak. But how can you circumvent him, sir? that's the +puzzle, for old Wheel-about is as sly a fellow as walks. He knows his +power with the squire--there's a story about, but I have not got the +rights of it. Anyhow, the squire is always trying to help him. If he +cannot get his coat in which he has hidden all his money he will go +raving mad about the country, and the squire will soon get at the bottom +of the mischief." + +"Oh, that's all right," answered Laurie. I saw there was no help for it, +and I took Wheel-about into my confidence. He promised if I gave him ten +pounds by Saturday next to let the matter of the coat slip by. He said +he would never tell." + +"I wonder now if the craychur is to be trusted," muttered Jim, in a +thoughtful tone. + +"Oh, yes, he is, Jim; don't you meet trouble halfway. If once he gets +the money everything will be as right as possible. But this 'gram must +go off, and you must see to it for me." + +"I'll do that, sir, and welcome, the very moment the office opens its +doors in the morning." + +"How soon do you think it will reach my sister?" + +"Well, to be sure, I expect in about half an hour or an hour at the +most. I often think I'd like to see them messages a-tumbling along the +wires. Do you believe as they go by the wires sir?" + +"Oh, I suppose so; I don't bother my head about it. Now, then, Jim, hand +us a form and we'll fill it in. What do you think we had best say, Pat?" + +"Make it strong," said Pat. + +"Yes, I know that." Laurie stood biting the end of his pencil and +considering the blank form which Jimmy had provided him with. + +"We must make it powerful strong," he said after a pause. "If dad hears +this, we two are about done, Pat. He's the easiest old boy in the world, +but when once he takes the bit between his teeth he is just like Slieve +Loon, our new mare. But I must not keep you up Jim; you are wanting to +get back to your bed." + +"It don't matter, sir; don't you hurry yourself. I told the wife it was +two of the young gentlemen from Castle Malone, and she said I wasn't to +mind how much time I spent with you; it was only proper respect to the +family." + +"All right Jim. Now, then, Pat, what shall I say?" + +"Hurry up," said Pat; "if you're not sleepy I am, and the whole house +will be locked up if we are not quick." + +"I cracked a pane of glass in our window on purpose this morning," said +Laurie. "I thought it might turn out convenient." + +Pat laughed. Laurie, his face flushed, bent over the telegraph form. +After a time, during which beads of perspiration stood out on his +forehead, the following message was transcribed: + +"Miss Kitty Malone, care of Mrs. Denvers, Franklin Avenue, Middleton, +London, S.E.--Wake up, old girleen; hurry with the tin.--Laurie." + +"That's the time of day," he said. "You read it, Jim. Can you make out +the address plain?" + +"Yes, to be sure," answered Jim. "Very well, sir; this shall go. I am +sorry you're in trouble, sir; but I know the squire sends a lot of money +to Miss Kitty, for he is always coming here for postal orders." + +"Oh, I am safe to have it," said Laurie. "Well, good-night Jim, and long +life to you." + +The boys left the office and retraced their steps across the mountain. +They had gone about halfway home when they were interrupted by a curious +sort of sound, something between a croon and a chant. It came nearer and +nearer, and the next moment a grotesque figure showed clearly in the +moonlight. This was no other than Paddy Wheel-about himself. He was a +tall man, with a long shaggy beard, penthouse eyebrows, and eyes which +were lit now with a fitful and uncertain gleam. He was dressed in rags, +his hat was pushed far back on his head, his hair streamed over his +shoulders. The savage and yet pathetic-looking creature stopped now +before the two boys. + +"I say, Paddy, it is all right," said Laurie, going up to him and laying +his hand on his shoulder. "You'll get the tin I promised either +to-morrow morning or the day after. I have just sent a telegram to the +girleen in England. Why, Kitty wouldn't let you suffer; no, not if it +were to break her heart." + +A wild and yet softened look came into the man's eyes. + +"It is because of the girleen I'm fretting," he said. "Listen, you two, +I feel fit to die sometimes when I think the coat is lost, and it is all +on account of the girleen herself. Why, it was she put in the last patch +and a bit of gold was hidden in it; yes, and she sewed it round with her +own pretty hands, the darling." + +"We'll get back the coat some day, see if we don't," said Laurie. "And +meanwhile Paddy, you are safe to have your money on Saturday." + +"All right if I do," said Paddy; "if not it is all wrong. I go to Squire +Malone. Yes, I go to Squire Malone; but I'll wait until Saturday. I +promise that much, and I'll keep my word." + +"You'll keep your word for Kitty's sake?" said Laurie. + +The man nodded; again his eyes softened and changed in expression, the +next moment he had turned on his heel and was out of sight. + +"I do believe the only person he cares for in the world is Kitty," said +Laurie. "Do you remember when he was so ill he would only allow Kitty to +visit him? I say, Pat, we must get back that coat somehow; but in the +meantime the ten pounds will keep matters quiet." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +"WE ARE BOTH IN THE SAME BOAT." + + +Gwin had explained all her points, and Miss Sherrard had listened to her +with indulgence, sympathy, and comprehension. They were seated together +in Miss Sherrard's charming little sitting-room. + +"I am glad you take such an interest in Kitty," she said when the girl +had stopped speaking. + +"I do. She is uncommon; she is unlike anybody else," said Gwin Harley. +"I hope," she added, looking anxiously at the head-mistress, "that you +will feel it right so far to mitigate her punishment as to allow the +Tug-of-war girls to talk to her. This seems just the time for a society +of this sort to help its members. + +"There's a great deal in what you say, Gwin; but all the same, to my +regret, I am obliged distinctly to refuse your request." + +Gwin's face, which had been slightly flushed, now turned pale. She rose +to her feet. + +"Don't be hurt with me, dear," said the mistress in a gentle voice. "I +admire you for your kindness, Gwin, and I can also see the thing from +your point of view; but all the same Middleton School is a very +important one; there are from six to seven hundred girls here. Most of +these girls have got parents; all have got guardians and friends. It +would not do for them to know that such a wild and reckless act as +Kitty Malone has perpetrated should be passed over without a severe +punishment. Kitty will live through this week of isolation and be all +the better for it. At the end of that time you Tug-of-war girls can do +all in your power to help her. For this one week I must insist on her +living in Coventry. She will do her lessons, of course, for it would not +be at all wise to give her a holiday; but no girl belonging to the +school with the exception of Alice must speak to her." + +"I am sorry; and you will forgive me for saying, without any disrespect +to you, that I think you are wrong," answered Gwin. She now held out her +hand to Miss Sherrard. Miss Sherrard took it and pressed it gently. + +"You are a very good girl, Gwin; and I wish with all my heart and soul +that I could grant your request." + +Meanwhile Kitty had returned to the Denvers' house in a whirl of +passionate protest and indignation. She could not understand why she had +been punished. The sin she had committed did not seem to be any sin at +all to her. What did it matter how she dressed or when she went out? The +fact that she had broken a very strict rule of Middleton School did not +affect her. She was now seriously unhappy--the fetters with which she +was surrounded tortured her. How could she live through the terrible +week of isolation? And what made her more wretched than anything else +was the fact that she could not see Elma in order to get the money from +her to send to Laurie. + +Kitty and Laurie had always been more than ordinary friends. The +thoughts of each were known to the heart of the other. If there was one +person in the wide world whom Kitty loved with passion, almost with +idolatry, it was her handsome brother Laurie. The bare idea that Laurie +should plead to Kitty to help him, and that Kitty would be obliged to +turn a deaf ear to his entreaties was enough to madden the reckless +girl. + +The whole of that afternoon she spent in her bedroom, pacing up and down +like a young caged tiger. Mrs. Denvers went to talk to her, but Kitty +would not speak. She would pour out her troubles to no one. Her proud +Irish heart felt as if it would burst from misery; but she would not +stoop to the sympathy of those who, she felt, could not possibly +understand her. + +Of all the Denver family, she liked Fred the best; and when he ventured +to knock at her door in the course of the evening she did not refuse to +open it to him. + +"Come along downstairs at once, Kitty," said Fred, holding out his hand +to her. + +"I would rather stay where I am, Fred, asthore." + +"I say it's a beastly shame to have you treated like this." + +"Oh, don't begin to sympathize with me," said Kitty; "if you do, I'll +cry the ocean full of tears. I am holding them back hard now. You don't +know what a thing it is when an Irish girl fairly gives way." + +"Well, they're beastly hard on you; but I'm sure I would not cry if I +were you," said Fred. I'd just be too proud. But come downstairs to my +den, Kitty; I have made it awfully comfortable." + +"Your den?" said Kitty, her eyes lighting up; "have you got one?" + +"Yes; it's not in the house; it's in the garden, at the further end. +It's a shed; but I have made it waterproof, and I have got a little +lamp, an oil one; and we can sit there and have a jolly talk." + +For a moment Kitty's eyes sparkled with renewed hope. "And I have still +got some chocolates in my drawer," she exclaimed. "We might eat them +together and have a real good time. But oh, that money! it's the money +that's bothering me entirely. Oh dear! dear! I'll let the whole thing +out if I talk any more to you Fred. Fred, it's the true comfort you are +to me, and I'll never forget it to the longest day I live; but I can't +go to that shed with you, gossoon asthore, for if I did I'd let out +everything." + +"But why shouldn't you let out everything?" said Fred. "There's +something bothering you, and you're keeping it all to yourself." + +"But I promised I wouldn't tell, and I don't want to break my word. I +said when she asked me, 'No; I can't keep secrets;' but then it was put +in such a way that I must keep it. I can't go with you Fred; pray don't +ask me again. Good-by to you, and thank you, thank you." + +Kitty ran into her room, shut the door, locked it, and retreated to the +window, to be as far as possible from Fred's insinuating voice and ways. + +Mr. and Mrs. Denvers were out again that night, and the time dragged +terribly. Kitty wondered how she was to live through a whole week of +this torture. + +"I promised Elma that I would not tell about her asking me for that +money," she said to herself. "I wish I hadn't said so now; but she +seemed so earnest, and I really thought nothing of it at the time. Oh +dear, dear! I wonder she does not bring it to me. She must be the +meanest of the mean. I never liked her; but now I hate her. Poor, poor, +dear old Wheel-about! Don't I know what he is feeling, and what Laurie +is feeling, my broth of a boy, my Laurie, asthore! Oh, to think that he +is in trouble, and I can't help him! How I wish I was back in Ireland +now! This will break my heart--it will break my heart." + +Tears filled her eyes; but she was too proud to let them roll over. + +"I will keep them back if I die for it," she said to herself. "I am +Kitty Malone, and they will break my heart if this goes on; but I won't +cry. No, that I won't." + +While these thoughts were coursing through the poor girl's brain, there +came another knock at the door; an insistent and somewhat fierce one +this time. The handle was sharply turned, and the clear voice of Alice +was heard. + +"Open the door at once, please, Kitty," she said. + +Kitty crossed the room, turned the key in the lock, and allowed Alice to +enter. + +"I must beg of you, Kitty," said Alice, "not to lock the door again." + +"And why not, pray? You locked it last night. It was on account of that +I am now in all this trouble." + +"Really, Kitty, you are quite too ridiculous; as if I were the cause of +your trouble. You are in trouble because you disobeyed a strict rule; +and my locking the door or not had nothing whatever to do with it. You +are quite the most tiresome, inconsistent girl I ever came across." + +"Well, it is nothing to you what I am," said Kitty. She sank down on a +chair by the side of her little bed as she spoke; her expression was so +woe-begone, her face so pale, the droop of her eyes so pathetic, that +Alice was slightly touched in spite of herself. + +"I am going to see Bessie Challoner," she said. "If you were different I +would not leave you." + +"Oh, never mind me, pray." + +"All the same, I would not leave you, Kitty; for remember I am the only +girl belonging to the school who may speak to you for the next week; +but, really, your ways are so unpleasant----" + +"And I so infinitely prefer your absence to your company," retorted +Kitty. "So you may go with quite an easy mind." + +"Thanks awfully," replied Alice, with a sneer. Her momentary good-nature +had dried up like the dew. She put on her hat, wrapped a shawl round her +shoulders and left the room. + +Kitty returned to her place by the window. It was now between eight and +nine o'clock. She had refused both dinner and tea, and was in +consequence feeling weak and faint. There was a giddy sensation in her +head to which she was not accustomed. She did not connect it with the +fact that she was starving, and wondered what was the matter with her. +She was too excited and wretched to feel her ordinary appetite. She had +gone through a great deal, and her nerves were reminding her of the +cruel trick she was playing on them. It was very dull in her room; the +gas jet shed a hideous glare over the place. The room in itself was by +no means pretty, for the paper was the worse for wear, and the paint was +nearly worn through to the woodwork. The hangings to the windows and to +the two little beds were of an ugly drab color; and the view out of +these windows only revealed a narrow street. At Kitty's own home she had +a bedroom in the Castle end; the paper hung in ribbons, the door was +draughty, the bedstead rickety and old; but what a view there was from +the windows! A view of Lake Coulin and the mountains in the distance, +and the park lying verdant and green between the lake and the house. +What a breeze blew in at those windows! + +"Oh, I should never be dull if I were locked up in the dear old bedroom +at home," thought the girl. "But here! here it is enough to madden one; +and yet I must stay here, for I cannot talk to the others. I will not +allow Fred to guess my secret. Oh, what a miserable, unhappy, wretched +girl I am! I am a prisoner. Oh, if only Laurie saw me! Dear Laurie; the +darling, the treasure that he is! It would break his heart if he knew +what I am suffering." + +There were no books at all interesting to Kitty in the room, so she +could not while away the lagging hours with a novel. As a rule the +arranging of her wardrobe, the trying on of her many dresses, gave her +pleasant occupation; but she was in no humor to make herself smart that +evening. + +"I suppose the love of dress is a sin," she said to herself; "although +it is one of the rules of the Tug-of-war Society that the girls are to +be fashionably dressed. Anyhow, it seems to have been my undoing, for if +I had only gone out in somber ugly attire last night I might have the +money now for my darling Laurie; and this heavy, heavy weight would be +off my mind, and I should not be in disgrace at Middleton School--not +that that much matters." + +She went to the window, flung it open, and looked out. It was a clear, +starlit night. She could see the sky from between the long rows of +houses. She looked up at it, and then put in her head again. + +"I shall suffocate if I stay any longer in this room," she said to +herself. "After all, why should I obey Miss Sherrard? She spoke about my +word of honor; but I have not given it. I was silent--I was silent on +purpose. If I could only see Elma and get my money back all would be +right, and I could really bear the rest of this terrible week. I have a +great mind to risk it and go to her." + +No sooner had the thought entered the head of the wayward girl than she +proceeded to act upon it. She put on a long cloak which reached nearly +to her feet, a little cap of blue cloth was secured over her mass of +curling hair, and then going cautiously across the room, she took the +key out of the lock, unfastened the door, shut it behind her, locked it +from the outside, put the key in her pocket, and ran downstairs. + +"If the servants or Alice come up they will think I have gone to bed. +What fun if I keep Alice out of her bed for an hour or two!" laughed +Kitty. She was now once more in high excitement and pleasure. It never +took long to raise her volatile spirits. "I hope Fred won't be about. I +don't want to get the poor darling into mischief," she said to herself. +There was no one in sight, however. The younger children were away in +another part of the house, Mr. and Mrs. Denvers were out, the servants +were in the kitchen, Alice was with Bessie Challoner, and Fred was down +in his shed mourning the absence of Kitty, whose bright ways were +fascinating him more and more. + +"It's all right," thought the girl. She left the house, and a few +moments later was walking at a rapid pace in the direction of +Constantine Road. The thought of her disobedience, of the daring of her +own act, but added zest and pleasure to her walk. + +"How happy I shall be when I get the money," she said to herself. "I'll +coax Fred or Mrs. Denvers to get me a postal order to-morrow, and I'll +send it to Laurie at once. Oh, what a weight will be off my mind! Why, +I'll almost feel inclined to turn good again!" + +The walk to Constantine Road was a long one, and Kitty on this occasion +was determined to avoid the neighborhood of the "Spotted Leopard." In +preference she took the short cut across the common. It was very lonely +here, but she had no fear of ghosts or bogies. She walked with her +upright, young carriage, her quick, alert, dancing step. It was ten +o'clock however, before she reached Constantine Road. She ran up the +steps of No. 14, and rang the bell. The door was opened to her by the +servant, Maggie. + +"Oh, Miss Malone," cried that young woman, "is that yourself, miss? I +has got into the most terrible trouble." + +Maggie's face was flushed and blistered with crying. + +"They has took away my wiolets, miss, and I call it a bitter, cruel +shame." + +"Never mind that now, Maggie," answered Kitty, "I want to see Miss Elma. +Is she in?" + +"That she is, miss, and she shan't escape you this time. Come right into +the parlor, and I'll send her down to you." + +Kitty danced into the house. As far as her appearance now went she had +never known a sorrow nor a care in her life. She stood in the center of +the room, waiting impatiently for Elma to appear. + +Maggie having shut her in, went cautiously upstairs. Elma and Carrie +were in their bedroom. Carrie was already in bed. + +Maggie, who seemed to scent mischief all round, thought she would now +act with considerable guile. She knocked a low and gentle knock on the +panel of the door. Elma came to open it. + +"What is it, Maggie?" + +"Miss Helma, will you come outside on the landing for a minute?" + +Elma went out. + +"I have a bit of news about that money, miss. If you'll come right down +to the dining-room I'll tell you there." + +"News about my money, Maggie? Oh, impossible!" But hope, ever ready to +dawn in the human breast, could not help rising now on poor Elma's +horizon. It all seemed utterly impossible; but what earthly sense would +there be in Maggie telling a lie. + +"I was just getting into bed," she said. "Can't you tell me here?" + +"No, miss, it's not me at all; it's news of the money you'll get if you +just come down to the dining-room, and be quick about it." + +"Well, _I_ may as well go. Is there anybody there?" + +"You go and find out, miss." + +"Oh!" thought Elma, "Sam Raynes has repented. He was able to find money +after all, and has brought it to me. This is nice." + +"What's the matter, Elma?" called Carrie from her bed. + +"Nothing, Carrie. I'll be back in a few moments." + +Elma hastily refastened her dress; put up her hands to her hair to +smooth it, and tripped downstairs, full of expectation and hope. Maggie +had relit the gas in the dining-room. Elma bounded into the room. + +"Well, Sam," she exclaimed. Then she stepped back a couple of paces; she +was confronted not by Sam, but by Kitty Malone herself. + +"Kitty!" cried Elma. There was a faintness in her voice, which Kitty had +no time to remark. + +"Yes, Elma, I have come. I have broken my word of honor; but after all, +I never really gave it. I dare say I shall get into a worse scrape than +ever; but I can't help it. I came to you, Elma, because I _must_ have +that money. Will you let me have it now at once please--my eight +sovereigns--will you give them to me now? If I had seen you last night I +should not have been so miserable. I was coming to you when Fred and I +passed the 'Spotted Leopard.' Oh, please, Elma, give me my money at +once!" + +Elma's face could scarcely turn whiter. She looked piteously at Kitty. + +"I wish I could give it to you," she began; "but----" + +"What do you mean; can't you let me have my own money? You have not +spent it, not all of it, have you?" + +"Yes, I--I spent it." + +"You spent all that money! all those eight sovereigns? Oh, Elma, you +must be joking. Can't you let me have some of it back? Please, Elma, +don't say no. It is for Laurie; he is in the most awful trouble. I must +have the money, and at once." + +"I can't give it to you," said Elma. "I am awfully sorry. Sit down, +please, Kitty. Oh, Kitty, you won't tell on me?" + +"I don't know what I'll do," said Kitty. "I am nearly distracted." + +"But you promised you would not tell. You don't know what an awful +scrape I shall get into if you do. And you--oh, yes--you shall have the +money soon." + +"What do you mean by soon; to-morrow? Shall I have it to-morrow?" + +"Not quite so soon as that. Give me a week, Kitty." + +"I can't," answered Kitty. "It is a case of life or death to Laurie. +Your mother must give it to me if you cannot; but have it I must." + +"But you are rich; surely you can manage without it for one week." + +"It is not that, and I am unable to explain. Laurie must have the money. +He wants me to help him about something, and I must send it to him +to-morrow." + +"I wish I could give it to you," said Elma. "I would do anything in all +the world to let you have it back; but it isn't my fault." + +"What did you spend it on? Dress?" + +"Oh, in different ways." Elma had made up her mind not to tell about +Carrie and Sam Raynes. + +"I'll let her think that I spent the money on finery," she said to +herself. "She is sympathizing about dress. I'll let her think that." + +Kitty's hands had dropped to her sides; a look of despair filled her +face. + +"What is to be done?" she said. "I never thought for a moment you could +not let me have it back." + +"You shall have it in a week; that I promise you faithfully." + +"But a week will be no good, Elma. Oh! Elma, Elma, Laurie will suffer +for this. They will take his freedom from him; he will be like a chained +lion; he will lose his spirit; perhaps--perhaps he will die. I cannot +stand it, Elma, I cannot." + +Kitty covered her face with both her hands, and the tears which with +difficulty she had been keeping back all the evening burst forth in +torrents. Kitty did not cry as an English girl might. She cried with the +wild, passionate sobs of those who have seldom exercised self-control. +Elma was dreadfully frightened. + +"Do stop, Kitty," she said. "You make so much noise; mother and Carrie +will hear you. Carrie will come down." + +"What if she does?" cried Kitty. "Oh, Laurie, Laurie! this will break +your heart. You are ruined; ruined for life!" + +"There are more than Laurie ruined for life, it seems to me," said Elma. +"Kitty, I am ever so sorry; but if you will only be patient I will try +and think of some plan of helping you. Now, please, please, promise me +one thing--you won't tell that I asked you for this money?" + +"Why not? I must tell some one. I must get the money somehow." + +"But you made me a promise you would not tell. It is very wrong to break +a promise." + +"I don't care whether it is right or wrong. I cannot keep this secret, +Elma. I must remember Laurie, Perhaps Mr. Denvers will lend me the +money. I must think of Laurie first." + +"Please, Kitty, listen to me. If you will promise to keep my secret I'll +manage to get you the money somehow." + +"But how, Elma?" + +"Oh, I'll think out some plan. Do promise me that you'll keep my secret. +It would be my ruin if it were known. Do promise, Kitty; do, please." + +"I cannot," said Kitty. She walked restlessly to the door. "I must go," +she said; "if I don't they will discover that I am out." + +"And if they do you'll get into an awful scrape." + +"Oh, it doesn't matter; I can't be worse off than I am. My one hope now +is that they will expel me; then I'll have to return to Ireland; and +perhaps I may coax father not to be too hard on Laurie." + +"Then Kitty, you have quite made up your mind to tell all about me?" + +"I think so. I cannot imagine why it matters." + +"But it does, and I must give you the reason. I did wrong, dreadfully +wrong, ever to ask you for that money. I broke one of the strictest +rules of the school." + +"What do you mean?" + +"It is one of the strictest rules of Middleton School that no schoolgirl +must ask another to lend her money. The governors are terribly +particular. If it is ever known I shall be most likely expelled. Anyhow, +my character will be gone, and I shall be ruined for life. Oh, Kitty, +you have not such a hard life as I have. Do have pity on me." + +Kitty stood silent; she was thinking deeply. + +"You'll promise; won't you?" repeated Elma. + +"I can't say. I scarcely know what I am doing at the present moment." + +"Then listen to me. If you tell about the money I'll tell about this +visit. There; don't you see now we are quits." + +"You tell! That would be mean of you." + +"Yes. I'll tell that you broke your parole." + +"But I never gave it." + +"Oh, that is only begging the question, Kitty. Miss Sherrard understood +that you had given it. When you came here you broke it. You'll get into +a terrible scrape." + +"And you spoke to me, Elma; so you too will get into a scrape." + +Kitty's tears stopped like summer rain, and a flash of sunshine flew +across her charming face. + +"Poor Elma, you will be in hot water too," she said. "What a muddle +everything is in." + +"You see, Kitty, we must cling together, for we are both in the same +boat. I'll do my utmost to get you that money. I am sure I can manage +somehow. But you must not tell." + +"All right. I'll keep the secret until after school to-morrow. Good-by, +Elma." + +She left the house, and Elma returned to Carrie. + +"Who were you talking to all that time?" exclaimed Carrie. + +"That unfortunate girl, Kitty Malone." + +"You mean to say she was here?" + +"Yes; she came about the money. I am miserable about it. I promised to +get it for her by hook or by crook. How can I manage?" + +"Look here," said Carrie after a pause, during which she was sitting up +in bed and thinking intently. "You say that Kitty Malone is very rich?" + +"Yes, of course she is. She has more money than she knows what to do +with. Why, I tell you, Carrie, the day she lent me those eight +sovereigns I saw fifteen in her purse. Fancy a girl having fifteen +sovereigns just to do what she liked with? I could scarcely realize it. +I took the money before I knew what I was doing. She did tempt me so +sorely when she showed me her purse." + +"Oh, I'm not a bit surprised," said Carrie. "If I had been in your shoes +I'd have taken the whole fifteen sovereigns just as soon as the eight. +But listen to me, Elma; I have a plan in my head. I'll talk it over with +Sam to-morrow; perhaps we can get the money; but there's no saying. +I'll talk it over with Sam." + +"I wish you would not. I would rather not get it through his means." + +"What a dislike you have to him." + +"I have. He is not good enough for you, Carrie. Oh, Carrie, dear, I vow +and declare that I'll work for you and mother; I'll work my very fingers +to the bone; I'll do anything for you. Only don't marry that horrid +fellow." + +"How excitable you are, Elma, and queer. Sam suits me very well. Oh, if +you don't want his help you need not have it--remember it is your +scrape, not mine." + +"It is your scrape, too, Carrie. You stole the money and gave it to Sam +Raynes. You are a thief, and you have ruined your sister." + +"If you begin abusing me I shall certainly not stay awake any longer," +said Carrie; "I'm dead with sleep as it is. Now, do put out the candle, +like a good girl. I'm off to the Land of Nod." + +Carrie pulled the clothes over her head and struggled down among the +pillows. Elma stood and stared out of the window. + +"I wonder if I could do it," she said at last to herself. "It might be +the best plan; and Gwin is very kind and very rich. I wonder if I dare. +Anything seems better than my present predicament." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +"I CANNOT HELP YOU." + + +Elma scarcely slept that night. At an early hour on the following +brilliant summer's morning she stole softly out of bed, glanced for a +moment at Carrie, as she lay sleeping the sleep of the just, with her +towzled hair tossed about the pillow, and then, getting deftly into her +own clothes, left the room without arousing the sleeper. She had made up +her mind very definitely what to do. Without even waiting to get any +breakfast, she unfastened the hall door, opened it, and stepped out into +the full radiance of the summer's morning. A quick walk brought her in a +little over half an hour to Harley Grove. When she went up the ponderous +flight of steps which led to the principal door of the mansion a clock +far away struck the hour of seven. + +"It is terribly early," she said to herself, "terribly early to disturb +her; but it is my only chance. I must have time; I cannot rush this +thing. If she can help me I believe she will; and anyhow, I do no harm +by what I intend to say to her." + +Elma rang the bell, but her early summons was not immediately attended +to. Presently a servant girl, who looked as if she might be one of the +under-housemaids, unbolted and unbarred the door, and opened it a few +inches. "When she saw a neat-looking girl, in all probability a +schoolgirl, standing outside she opened it a little further and her jaw +dropped in some astonishment. + +"I have come here," said Elma to know if I can see, Miss Harley +immediately on very special business." + +"I don't know, miss, I am sure," answered the girl, who was a stranger +in those parts. "I can't say that you can see Miss Harley now, for I +think she is fast asleep and in bed, miss." + +"It is of the utmost importance or I would not disturb her," said Elma. +"I have brought a note with me; can you manage in some way to have it +delivered to her? I can wait downstairs in any of the rooms until I get +her answer." + +As Elma spoke she slipped a little three-cornered note into the girl's +hand, at the same time placing in it one of her own most valuable and +very few and far between shillings. + +"Can you manage it for me?" she said. "It is really of the utmost +importance." + +A shilling was a small bribe; but the housemaid was young and +tender-hearted. She looked again once or twice at Elma, who could wear a +most pleasing expression when she chose, and then, ushering her into a +small room to the left of the wide entrance hall, departed slowly +upstairs on her errand. + +While she was away Elma fidgeted, walking from end to end of the little +room into which she had been admitted. All depended, or so she imagined, +on her note reaching its destination. She knew Gwin's kind heart; she +was certain that if Gwin received the note, however tired and sleepy +she was, she would at least see her for a few minutes. Elma had worded +it craftily. + +"I am in great trouble," she had written. "It is connected with Kitty +Malone. I see my way to helping Kitty if you, Gwin, can help me. But I +must see you now at once. Let me come to your bedroom. I would not +disturb you if it were not a matter of life or death." + +This note, sufficiently startling in its contents, was given by the +under-housemaid to Gwin's own special maid. The girl, after some +deliberation, said she would venture to give it to Gwin, early as the +hour was. Accordingly she stole into the shaded bedroom, drew up one of +the blinds, and when Gwin opened her sleepy eyes presented her with the +little three-cornered note on a salver. + +"There's a young lady, a Miss Lewis, waiting downstairs. She brought +this note and begged that it should be delivered to you at once, miss. I +ventured under the circumstances to wake you, as the young lady seemed +from all accounts to be in a desperate way." + +"What can it mean?" said Gwin. She sprang up in bed, tore open the note, +and read the contents. + +"Is my cold bath in the room, Simpson?" she asked of her maid. + +"Yes, miss; in your dressing-room." + +"Well, I shall dress at once. Go down, please, to Miss Lewis and tell +her that I'll be ready to see her in my study in twenty minutes." + +The maid departed on this errand, which brought much relief to poor +Elma. + +In less than the time named she was summoned by Gwin's maid to come +with her to Miss Harley's study. There a moment later she and Gwin were +clasping each other's hands. Gwin was in a long white dressing-gown; her +hair streaming over her shoulders. + +"Well, to be sure, Elma," she exclaimed, "you are an early bird. Now, +what do you want with me? I am full of curiosity. You are in trouble, +and it is something connected with Kitty Malone?" + +"Yes," said Elma. "I am desperate, and I have come on a desperate +errand, Gwin. Can you manage, somehow or other, in some fashion, to let +me have the use of eight pounds for--for say a fortnight?" + +Gwin Harley gasped; not only at the magnitude of the sum demanded, but +also at Elma's audacity in asking for it. + +"You want eight pounds," She exclaimed. "But, Elma, you know the rule?" + +"Oh, yes, I know the rule; and it is because I am fairly desperate I +apply to you. You might lend the money to my sister Carrie; or perhaps +mother would be best. It might be managed so that I didn't appear to +borrow it. I would not ask for it if--if the trouble were not terrible; +and--and the secret belongs to another." + +"What do you mean?" + +"It belongs partly to Kitty Malone." + +"I cannot help you," said Gwin decidedly. + +"Why? Oh Gwin, I did not know you could be so cruel." + +"You don't understand, Elma. I am surprised that you should ask me. How +could I break one of the strictest rules of the school?" + +"Oh, but you need not really break it; I mean it could be managed in +this way: Would not your father lend mother the money? You need not do +it at all; all you have to do is to ask him." + +"You must tell me everything, Elma. This is most mysterious. Why do you +want money? Is it for yourself? You must tell me every single thing." + +"I cannot tell you, because the secret is not mine." + +"You say Kitty is mixed up with this?" + +"Yes, yes." + +"And you will not tell why?" + +"I cannot. I wish I could." + +"Then, Elma, I also must be firm. I cannot help you." + +"You will not ask your father?" + +"How could I? It would be a subterfuge--the whole thing would be a +subterfuge. I must have nothing to do with it. I am sorry, Elma, for I +see you are in great trouble; but I am powerless." + +"Then I am ruined," said Elma. She covered her face with her hands, and +the tears trickled slowly between her fingers. + +"I wish I could help you," said Gwin kindly. "Is there any other way?" + +"No other way. I want eight pounds for a fortnight--I want it +desperately. You could manage to let me have it without breaking the +rules of the school, but you will not." + +"I am truly sorry, but--I will not." + +"Oh, Gwin, if you would only trust me. We were always friends, were we +not?" + +"Yes," answered Gwin slowly. "I have always liked you, Elma." + +"We were friends," continued Elma, wiping the tears passionately from +her cheeks; "and I did think last night, when I was in such trouble, +that perhaps you could come to my aid. I thought you would trust me +without my telling you everything." + +"I cannot, Elma," said Gwin again. + +"Why?" + +Elma now looked steadily into Gwin's face. Gwin looked gravely into +hers. After a time Gwin spoke slowly: + +"Because," she said--"forgive me, Elma--you are not trustworthy." + +"Oh!" said Elma. She turned first pale and then red. + +"There is no use in my staying," she said, after a pause. "I am sorry I +got you up so early." + +"Oh, that does not matter," said Gwin, in an altered tone. "I would do +what I could to help you; but I cannot do the impossible." + +"I see that I was mistaken in you." + +"Not at all," replied Gwin. "You found me what I have always been. I am +naturally careful. I never jump to wild conclusions; I am not impulsive. +I have liked you, and I shall go on liking you in the future." + +"Even though I am not trustworthy?" + +"Yes; I shall like you for what you are. You have always been nice to +me, and I wish to be nice to you. Please understand that this will make +no difference." + +"And you won't tell what I came about?" + +"No, I shall never mention it. Now, must you go?" + +"I must," said Elma. + +The full morning light fell upon her face as she spoke, and Gwin +noticed that it looked small, pinched, and thin. + +"You must have some breakfast first," she said. She walked across the +room and sounded the bell. The servant appeared in a moment. + +"Order breakfast to be served here this morning," said Miss Harley, "for +two, please." The maid withdrew. Gwin opened the window and looked out. + +"I am very sorry for Kitty," she said, after a pause. + +Elma did not reply. After a time she said slowly: + +"Did you see Miss Sherrard last night?" + +"I did; but it was useless. She won't retract her mandate." + +A sigh of relief came from Elma's lips. + +The servant again appeared with breakfast. Gwin poured out tea for her +friend. Elma drank a cup, her throat felt dry. She saw no way out of her +difficulty. She could scarcely bring herself to eat. + +A few moments later she was on her way back from Harley Grove. She +hesitated whether to go straight to the school and wait there until nine +o'clock or to return to Constantine Road. After a little reflection she +decided on the latter course. She reached home hot and weary between +eight and nine o'clock. Carrie was seated at the breakfast table; a +letter lay on Elma's plate. + +"Why, Elma, what have you been doing out and about at this unearthly +hour?" said Carrie, as she cracked the shell of an egg by no means +fresh. + +"Where is mother?" remarked Elma, as she seated herself at the table. + +"She has a bad headache. I have sent up her breakfast. Are you going to +see her?" + +"No, I think not. I shall just have time to eat something--not that I am +specially hungry--and then start for school." + +"There's a letter on your plate. Why don't you read it?" + +"I know; it's from Aunt Charlotte." + +"Well, well, and you are interested in Aunt Charlotte more than I am," +said Carrie. "Do read your letter." + +Elma somewhat languidly tore open the envelope. The next moment she +uttered an exclamation, and her face went first red and then pale. + +"Aunt Charlotte writes to say she is coming here to-day." + +"To-day! Good gracious!" said Carrie. "She doesn't want me to stay in, +does she?" + +"Oh, no; but this is terribly awkward." + +"Why so, Elma? Why shouldn't you ask her to lend you the money?" + +"Ask Aunt Charlotte! I may as well put my hand into the fire." + +"Well, suppose I were to help you," said Carrie, after a time. + +"You, Carrie; how could you?" + +"But suppose I were to--I am not the sort of person who does anything +for nothing. What would you give me if I got you out of this?" + +"But how could you get me out of it?" + +"Why, I suppose by giving Kitty the money." + +"Carrie, you talk nonsense. Unless, indeed, you were to persuade Sam +Raynes----" + +"Oh, it's useless to worry poor Sam. He has speculated with that money, +and if he doubles it we shall have it back. I think when that time comes +the very least you ought to do, Elma is to give me half of the balance +over and above what you borrowed. That would be three pounds ten, for me +quite a nice little sum. It would keep me in ribbons, gloves, and boots +for a bit. I get such a very small salary." + +"Well, the money has not been doubled; it's time enough to talk of our +chickens when they are hatched," said Elma. She rose from her seat, +looking despairingly at the open letter which she held in her hand. + +"After all, I may as well take this up to mother," she said. + +"One moment before you go, Elma. Would you like me to help you, or would +you not?" + +"If you could help me, Carrie, of course I should be obliged." + +"And what is the punishment they have inflicted upon that Irish lass?" + +"Oh, dear me, Carrie, I told you all about that yesterday; she is in +Coventry--we are none of us allowed to speak to her." + +"All the same, you did speak to her last night, don't forget." + +"Yes, I could not help myself; but if it was found out it would go hard +with us both." + +"Then I am the one to interfere," said Carrie _sotto voce._ "I'll do my +best, Elma, and trust to you to make it up to me when I have got you out +of this scrape." + +"I wish you would do something, Carrie; but I don't suppose you can. +It's awful to think of Aunt Charlotte coming now. If I can't help Kitty, +Kitty is sure to tell, and then it will be all over the school. They +won't blame her so much as they'll blame me. Oh dear, dear! if you would +do something!" + +"Well, I promise that I just will," said Carrie. "Now go off to school +with an easy mind." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +KITTY TELLS THE TRUTH. + + +Early the next morning Kitty received her telegram. It certainly was not +at all calculated to soothe her. She was restless and miserable before; +now her hands shook so violently that she could scarcely eat her +breakfast. + +Alice acted somewhat the part of a jailer; she had to convey the +disgraced girl to Middleton School. + +"I am ill; I won't go," said Kitty, bursting into tears. + +"You had much better come, Kitty," said Alice, speaking almost kindly +for the first time in her life; she really pitied poor Kitty at that +moment. "If you will only take your punishment patiently it will soon be +over, and I know for a fact," she continued, "that many of the girls are +only too anxious to make it up to you by and by." + +"Oh, it's not that," said Kitty; "it is because I am so wretched. I have +a great trouble at home; but there, there's no use in talking to you +about it, Alice." + +"So you always say," answered Alice. "Whenever I want to be the least +bit good to you, you put me off; but never mind, I am sure I can do +without your friendship. Anyhow, I think you must come to school unless +you are so ill that mother will be obliged to send for the doctor." + +"Oh, I don't want that," said Kitty, "I never had a doctor in my life. +If you'll wait for me, Alice, I'll go upstairs and put on my hat." + +She rushed to her room, flung herself on her knees for a moment by her +bedside, and uttered a frantic prayer to Heaven. + +"Oh! God, in your mercy, keep Laurie from doing anything desperate," +cried the unhappy girl. She then joined Alice downstairs. Her face was +white; there were heavy black lines under her eyes; she had never looked +prettier, more pathetic, more likely to win sympathy from the other +girls. + +At prayers that morning all eyes were directed to Kitty Malone. She was +not allowed to sit with the others, but was given, a place on the bench +with the teachers. Here she faced the rest of the school. It would have +been a cruel position for another girl; but it did not matter to Kitty, +for she saw no one present. Her eyes, with that queer inward look in +them, were gazing straight, not at the scene before her, but at the old +home in Ireland. The squire, whom she so passionately loved, roused to +the last extremity of anger; the boy, whose heart was hers, crushed, +trapped, imprisoned, his liberty taken from him. Kitty trembled from +head to foot; she could scarcely restrain her terrible emotion. + +After school she accompanied the others to the classroom, but in +absolute silence. She was given her usual lessons to do, but at a table +by herself. Her punishment was to be carried out in all its fullness; +but, dreadful as it would seem to most, it did not touch her at all +to-day. Her head ached, her eyes felt dim. Laurie's telegram, which lay +in her pocket, seemed to scorch into the very depths of her heart. She +had not even been allowed to answer it; the whole weight of her trouble +lay unrelieved upon her. The poor child was unaccustomed to such +anguish, and her self-control was in danger moment by moment of giving +way. + +As she strove to get that dull piece of English history into her head, +as she endeavored to follow the rules of syntax, as the knowledge that +she never, never to the longest day of her life, would understand what +was meant by the possessive case, alongside with these feeble little +efforts to follow her lessons, ran the dark thought of how, by what +possible means, she could help Laurie. And more and more as the time +went on she felt that she could not keep her promise to Elma. Elma had +been cruel to her; she had borrowed her money when she knew she had not +the most remote chance of paying it back; she had spent it according to +her own saying in the most frivolous way. Now, for the first time, Kitty +learned to despise dress. How could Elma spend the money which was to +save Laurie in anything so contemptible as ribbons and finery? Kitty +looked down at her own neatly-appointed clothes; her perfect little +shoes peeped out from beneath the frill of her dress. Notwithstanding +her misery she was as neat as usual in her attire; but now she had no +heart to appreciate gay clothes, good looks, pretty ribbons--any of the +things which usually delighted her. Laurie seemed to cry to her; she +fancied she could hear his voice coming across the waters to her +ears--Laurie, who had always trusted to her, who, strong as he was, was +not quite so strong as Kitty when scrapes and troubles were about. Oh! +if only she could go to him! If only she might relieve her feelings and +tell the exact truth to Miss Sherrard! What kept her back? Nothing +whatever but the thought of Elma. She had given Elma a promise, and, +tempted as she was, she must not break it. + +As this thought came to her she remembered that she had only promised +Elma to keep the secret until after morning school. That time would soon +be up. + +"Once Miss Sherrard knows I am certain she will help me," thought Kitty, +"though I don't want to excuse myself; yet I know that a great deal of +the blame of my proceedings will be lifted from my shoulders to Elma's. +Why should I go through all the suffering, and Elma sit there looking so +calm, and quiet, and still?" + +As these thoughts rushed through Kitty's mind she glanced up for the +first time, and calmly surveyed the great room full of her +fellow-students. As if with one impulse all the girls raised their eyes +and looked back at her. There was pity on most of the faces, amusement +on a few, curiosity on a few others; but on Elma's face alone was an +expression of intense anxiety and misery. Kitty had the kindest heart in +the world. The moment she saw this expression the idea of betraying Elma +melted from her mind. + +"She does look wretched," she said to herself. "I must not speak to her; +I dare not, and yet--yet--I should like her to know that I am not going +to be hard on her." + +Kitty tore off a piece of her exercise book and managed, when she +thought no one would see, to write a little note to Elma. In this she +said, "Don't be afraid, Elma; I have made up my mind not to tell." + +This note she twisted up, and, as the girls were going to the playground +for recess, managed to flash an intelligent glance toward Elma. Elma +approached close to her table, Kitty stretched out her hand, and Elma's +fingers were just about to close over the note, when, by an unlucky +chance, there came a breeze through the window, and the note, for some +inconceivable reason, fluttered from Kitty's hand to the floor. In an +instant Miss Worrick had seen it. She was just stepping forward when +Elma like a flash caught it up and tore it into fragments. She would not +for the world have the note seen. Miss Worrick, filled with anger, came +up to Kitty. + +"You are a bad girl, the worst girl I know," she said. "You are not even +honorable. Did you not give your parole that you would not hold +communication with another girl in the school, and yet you have been +trying to communicate with Elma Lewis by means of writing?" + +"Writing is not speaking," said Kitty, now standing up very erect and +proud, and replying to Miss Worrick as pertly as she could. + +"Don't answer me, miss; you grow worse and worse. Elma Lewis, do you +know anything about that note?" + +Kitty looked full at Elma. If she was going to be true to Elma, would +Elma be equally true to her?" + +"I know nothing about it," said Elma promptly. + +Kitty's eyes filled with withering scorn; an expression of disdain +curled her pretty lips. + +"You are quite certain, Elma? Kitty Malone seems to have a great anxiety +to communicate with you. Can you throw any light on the scrape she has +got into?" + +"I know nothing whatever about her secrets; I--I have nothing to do with +them," said Elma in an agitated voice, which she endeavored in vain to +render calm. + +Gwin Harley, who had stopped on her way out of the classroom, paused to +listen to Elma's words. + +Kitty's face was now white as death. She did not glance at Elma; she was +looking the other way. + +"Leave us, girls," said Miss Worrick. + +The next moment the great classroom was empty, with the exception of +Miss Worrick and Kitty Malone. Kitty was standing upright as a dart. + +"Take me to Miss Sherrard; I want to speak to her," she said. + +"I am certainly going to take you to her. You are a very, very wicked +girl. I doubt not you will be expelled." + +"Oh, I hope I shall," said Kitty. "I should like nothing in all the +world better." + +"You would? You are quite incorrigible. Do you know, you wretched girl, +what it means?" + +"No," answered Kitty; "I wait for you to tell me. What does it mean, +Miss Worrick?" + +"That you are tainted for life, disgraced for life. Wherever you go it +will be always remembered to you that your conduct was so bad at school +that you were obliged to be expelled." + +"But that won't matter in old Ireland," said Kitty with a hollow, +forced laugh. + +"Yes, it will; it will break your father's heart. There are no people so +proud as the Irish. They can stand a good deal; but any cloud on their +honor----" + +"Ah, you are right," cried Kitty, standing still, and a queer change +coming over her face. "Our honor--no one ever touched that yet." + +"It will have a nice blow when you are dismissed from Middleton School," +said Miss Worrick, glad to find a point in Kitty's hitherto invulnerable +armor. "Come with me at once, you bad girl. I must explain your conduct +to Miss Sherrard." + +"I have something on my own account to say to Miss Sherrard," answered +Kitty in a proud voice; "something which will explain a good deal." + +"I am glad to hear it; but I scarcely think any words of yours can +remove the stigma on your character. But come; I have no time to argue +with you further." + +Miss Worrick now led the way into Miss Sherrard's little sitting-room. +Miss Sherrard was standing near the window; she turned quickly when she +saw Miss Worrick, and a displeased and withal a troubled glance filled +her eyes as they rested upon Kitty." + +"Anything fresh?" she said, turning to the teacher with a weary +expression in her voice. + +"Only just what I expected," said Miss Worrick with bitterness. "Kitty +Malone is not to be trusted. Yesterday she gave her word of honor----" + +"I didn't," interrupted Kitty. + +"Kitty my dear, allow your teacher to speak." + +"She gave her word of honor, or equivalent to it, that she would submit +to the punishment which you rightly inflicted upon her. Well, I found +her just now in the act of smuggling a note into Elma Lewis' hand." + +"Oh, but this is very bad, Kitty," said Miss Sherrard. "Did you not know +what your word of honor meant?" + +"I never promised anything," replied Kitty. "You spoke; but I was +silent." + +"Pardon me, my dear; that is begging the question. You were told that +you were not to communicate with any of your fellow-pupils. Your silence +signified consent. Kitty, I am ashamed of you." + +"As you know so much you may as well know all," said Kitty, desperation +in her tone. "I did far worse than you think. Last night I went out +again after dark by myself to see Elma Lewis. I had an interview with +her. I talked to her, and she talked to me. That was not exactly her +fault; for I forced her to speak. Now, you know how very bad I am. Expel +me if you wish. I know you will after this. I am in dreadful disgrace. I +only wish I were dead." + +"Leave us, Miss Worrick," said Miss Sherrard. + +The door was closed behind the governess; and the head-mistress, taking +one of Kitty's cold hands, led her to a seat near herself on the sofa. + +"There is more behind," she said. "Kitty, you must tell me the truth." + +"I long to tell you," answered Kitty. "A short time back I had made up +my mind to conceal it because the telling would make another girl +miserable--miserable for life. Now my feelings are changed." + +"I am glad that you are at last willing to confide in me," said Miss +Sherrard in a kinder tone. "Tell me everything, Kitty, and as quickly as +you can." + +Thus counseled, Kitty's reserve absolutely gave way. The whole miserable +story was quickly revealed: Elma Lewis' request for money; Kitty's +generous response; Laurie's passionate and anguished letter; Kitty's +desire to help him; her reasons, which had almost driven her mad, for +seeking Elma; her desperate resolve at last to go to her late at night; +then Elma's passionate beseeching of her to keep the secret; Kitty's +promise that she would do so until after morning school that day; then +her further resolve, when she saw the look of misery on Elma's face, to +keep it altogether even at the cost of breaking Laurie's heart; then +Elma's conduct when the note was discovered. + +"I scorn her now," said Kitty. "I don't regard any promise I ever made +to her. I am glad to tell. She is false, cowardly, and I scorn her. Miss +Sherrard, you know everything; expel me if you must." + +"Yes, I know everything," replied Miss Sherrard. She sat still for a few +moments, lost in anxious thought. She blamed Kitty still, but she also +deeply pitied her. Her feelings toward Elma were so strong that she +could scarcely trust herself to speak of them at the present moment. + +"My honor is gone, and my heart is broken," continued Kitty. "Of course +you will expel me after this; and, indeed, I want to go home. Please, +Miss Sherrard, let me go home; I cannot stay any longer at school." + +"My dear Kitty," said Miss Sherrard, "I am very sorry for you. I am +certainly glad at last to know the truth. You, poor child, have been +more sinned against than sinning. I cannot tell you what I think about +Elma. Such a girl does more mischief in a school than twenty like you. +Stay, my dear; stop crying. Kitty, Kitty, what is it?" + +"I feel nearly mad--Laurie is in such trouble. May I not at least answer +his telegram?" + +"Yes, here is a telegraph form. Fill in what you like; I will send it at +once to the post office." + +"Miss Sherrard, would it be possible for you to lend me the money?" + +Miss Sherrard shook her head. + +"I could not do it, Kitty; nor would it be right. Your brother has done +distinctly wrong; and if you telegraph to him now I hope you will +counsel him to go straight to your father and confess everything. There +is never the least use in concealment where wrong-doing is concerned, my +dear." + +But Kitty's eyes had now blazed again with renewed passion. + +"You are not a Malone nor an Irishwoman," she cried. "You do not know +Ireland, or you would not speak in that tone. I counsel Laurie to tell +father what he did to poor Paddy Wheel-about! I counsel him to say that +he took the old man's coat--stole it from him! Miss Sherrard, you don't +know father. Laurie did it, it is true, in a fit of bravado; but father +would never understand. He would be furious, wild; Le would punish him +severely. Oh, I must get that money somehow, in some fashion!" + +"Kitty, you are speaking disrespectfully," said Miss Sherrard, "and I +cannot allow it. I am sorry for you, my dear; you are dreadfully +overcome at present. Go home now; I will see you again in the +afternoon." + +Poor Kitty left the room without even bidding her teacher good-by. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +AN EYE-OPENER. + + +In her own room the miserable child fell on her knees, and gave way to a +burst of passionate weeping. She cried as she had never cried in the +whole course of her life before; her tears seemed as though they could +not cease. She was so exhausted at last that, kneeling by her little +bed, she fell into a sound sleep. In her sleep she dreamed that she was +home again; but all was confusion, worry, distress. Laurie was going to +a school in England; Laurie's heart was broken. Old Paddy Wheel-about +was dead; the squire was so upset and so angry that he would not even +allow Kitty herself to comfort him. Aunt Honora was grumbling and going +from room to room in the old Castle. Aunt Bridget was talking about +dress, and scolding Kitty with regard to the state of her wardrobe. +Kitty's head ached, and she felt a sense of irritation. + +"And it's so pretty," said Aunt Honora. "Those ruffles round the skirt +are done in such a dainty manner, and--oh, I won't disturb you if you'll +allow me just to take the pattern. I can in a moment--don't move, don't +move!" + +Kitty opened her eyes in some bewilderment, and gazed full into the fat +and somewhat red face of Carrie Lewis. It was Carrie's voice she had +heard, piercing through her dreams. It was Carrie who was bending by +her side and holding up a length of her skirt in her hand. + +"Oh, don't move, pray; I have just got the set of it; it's very curious +and very fashionable. I know Sam would like it awfully." + +"Who are you, and what do you want?" said Kitty, jumping to her feet and +confronting her unwelcome visitor with flushed cheeks and sparkling +eyes. + +"I knocked at your door several times, and you didn't answer," said +Carrie; "so then I opened it softly and came in, and you were +half-sitting, half-kneeling by your bed, sound asleep; and your skirt +did look so very fashionable that I was tempted!--oh yes, I have taken +the pattern in my mind's eye. I'll alter my blue nun's-veiling. I can +easily get a bit more of the stuff to match, and it will make it quite +_comme il fait_," + +"But who are you?" said Kitty, who had never laid eyes on Carrie before. + +"I'm Elma's sister. Now you know." + +"Elma's sister?" said Kitty. "But what have you come to my room for? +What do you want here?" + +"To speak to you. I want to help you if you'll let me." + +"To help me?" said Kitty languidly. "I would much rather you went away. +You cannot help me; you know nothing whatever about me. I am in great +great trouble, and I would much rather be alone." + +"You would not rather be alone if you could be helped," said Carrie. "I +know all about it. You have got a brother in Ireland who has got into a +scrape. Bless you, I know all about the scrapes of young men. Now, poor +Sam Raynes, he----. Yes, what is it, Miss Malone?" + +"I wish you would leave me," said Kitty in a haughty tone. "I am not +friends with Elma just now, and I would rather not see any of her +family." + +"Yes, but I think you'll see me when I tell you my errand," said Carrie, +in no way abashed by Kitty's manner. She crossed the room as she spoke, +and deliberately placing herself in the one easy-chair the room +possessed, crossed her legs, and leaning back, looked fixedly at Kitty. + +"Very well, if you won't go, then I must," said Kitty. "I don't +understand English people. They talk a great deal about manners; but no +Irishwoman, none that I ever heard of, would dream----" + +"Oh, bosh! Stop all that," said Carrie in her rudest voice. "I have come +here to help you, and I see that I must explain myself. You want some +money, don't you?" + +"Yes; but I cannot get it," answered Kitty. + +"Oh, my dear, do just stay still a moment. What a sweet little shoe! +Did you get it at any shop here?" + +"No," answered Kitty, interested for the moment in spite of herself. +"Aunt Honora bought these in Grafton Street, Dublin. They have the +nicest shoes in that special shop of any place I know. Do you like it?" + +"Oh, it is quite sweet; it is the way the heel is arranged, and that +little buckle." + +"Well, never mind about my shoes now," said Kitty, pushing the +attractive little foot well in under her skirt. "What is it you have +come to say? Please say it, and then--go." + +"I will, if you wish me to. Look here, I know all about your story. You +are in dreadful trouble, and so is Elma; but I do declare I think poor +Elma's trouble much worse than yours." + +"You know nothing about it," cried Kitty, with passion. "Elma in worse +trouble! Oh, if you only could guess!" + +"I guess well enough," said Carrie, "and so does Elma. You want money, +which, evidently, as a rule, is as plentiful to you as blackberries on +the hedges in September; and you think, because you cannot lay your hand +on that money immediately, the whole world is going to change. But let +me tell you that Elma and I want money far, far more badly than you have +any idea of. Until you gave Elma that eight pounds, we neither of us +ever in our lives had so much in our possession." + +"I didn't give it--you make a mistake--I lent it." + +"Oh, it is all the same. Elma had it, and, for practical purposes, it +was just as valuable as if it were really her own." + +"Well, I want her to give it back to me now. I surely have a right to +ask for my own money back again?" + +"No, you have not--not without reasonable notice. She asked you to lend +her some money--she never asked for eight pounds--you let her take it. +You said she might have as much as she liked. When she explained the +position of things to me, I said: 'Elma, you were a rare fool not to +take the whole fifteen.'" + +"You must be a very queer girl," said Kitty, astonished at this +remarkable specimen of young ladyhood. + +"Am I? I don't know. I am frank, and I am generally hard-up. I know, if +any one does, where the shoe pinches. Bless you! it would do you good to +open your eyes. You don't know what poverty means--a little house, a +disgusting little house, shabby paper, dirty ceilings, badly-carpeted +floors, the drains wrong, the water-supply as likely to poison us as +not, an invalid mother--" + +"Oh, have you a mother? Then, I am sure you are not to be pitied," +interrupted Kitty. + +"Little you know! What good is a mother who is in bed most of the day, a +father who--Well, I need not mention him; he is not in the country at +any rate. No education to speak of; no dress worth considering; toil, +toil from morning till night; and life a mere scramble, a scramble for +bread without butter. That's what our life is!" + +Kitty had ceased to fidget; she even sank down on the corner of the +nearest chair. Her pretty figure, her beautifully-appointed dress, her +whole appearance, from the crown of her head to the sole of her foot, +betokened what the other girl could never aspire to, never hope to +have--abundance of money. And yet at the present moment Kitty was +breaking her heart for want of money. No wonder Carrie was puzzled. +Kitty's own eyes were opened to an extent they had never been opened +before. + +"Yes, our life is a rough one," continued Carrie; "very rough indeed; +but I don't grumble. I was brought up to it, and use is half the +battle, as perhaps you don't know, but you ought. You'll get accustomed +to doing without your eight pounds after a bit, and never give it +another thought." + +"Oh, no, that I won't," said Kitty, now jumping to her feet in her +indignation; "and it is not for myself, it is for----" + +"Oh, never mind who it is for. You want it, and you think the world is +going to stand still because you cannot get it. Well, the world won't +stand still. I, who am quite used to doing without money, can assure you +as to the truth of that fact. Would you like to know, now, how I spend +my days? I teach some horrid children in a small private school from ten +to one each morning, and then in the afternoon I go to a family and +teach some more little brats; and I am scarcely paid anything for all +this toil--starvation wages I call it--and I hate it, hate it. But I +have my consolations. I am not overparticular; very small pleasures +content me; and there's a fellow whom I love." + +"A fellow whom you love?" echoed Kitty; "is it a brother?" + +"Bless you, I'm not likely to put myself out about a brother; not that I +have one, and so much the better, thank goodness. There's a man whom I +love, and a right jolly fellow he is--his name is Sam Raynes. He is not +one of your fine, bread-and-butter gentlemen--not he. He is rough and +ready, and he has his joke, and he isn't too handsome, although some +people admire red hair; but, anyhow, I'm fond of him and he's fond of +me, and some day--I don't know when--when we can scrape enough +together, we are going to set up housekeeping." + +"You are going to marry; is that it?" said Kitty. + +"Yes; some day we'll marry. Now, you see, that's a bit of fun for me; +and I can go out with Sam on bank holidays and on Sunday afternoons just +like any other girl with her young man. Bless you, I don't mind." + +"I wonder what all this is leading up to," said Kitty, with a slight +yawn. "Of course, it is very interesting to you; but I don't care about +your young man." + +"No more you do, you haughty little minx; and I wouldn't bother you +about him, for, with all his faults, he's too good to have words wasted +about him to a little independent chit of a thing like you. But, as I +was saying, I'm not talking for nothing, I'm leading up to something. +Now, I am content enough with our lot; but Elma isn't. Elma is quite +different from me--she has got a great deal of refinement about her." + +"Has she indeed?" said Kitty in a voice of scorn. + +"Yes, she has, and you needn't contradict me. She's a very clever girl, +is Elma. I don't say that she's always as straight as a die--I don't +pretend that she is; but she is a clever girl, and she is fond of her +books, and she's likely to get on--that is, if you don't spike her +guns." + +"What do you mean?" + +"Oh, well, it's only an expression of mine. I heard Sam use it last +week. I often copy his phrases, they're so fine and full of flourish. +Well, now, if you don't spoil sport, Elma will get into an altogether +different circle from your humble servant. Mother and I will go one way, +and Elma another. Elma, with her grand notions and her set-you-up sort +of airs, will rise in life. She's heartily welcome to go her own way, +and I wish her Godspeed, for she is the only sister I have got." + +"I don't understand," interrupted Kitty. + +"If you'll let me speak I'll soon explain. You don't suppose that girls +such as I am are often to be seen at Middleton School?" + +"Well, I have not seen any like you," said Kitty, gazing from head to +foot at her very peculiar visitor. + +"No more you have, bless you; and I'm not the least offended by your +very frank stare. Sam admires me, and that's enough for me. Now, Elma +looks a lady, doesn't she?" + +"I suppose so," said Kitty in a dubious tone. + +"You suppose so indeed! Let me tell you that Elma is a born little lady, +a real lady, and she looks it, every inch of her. That is why she goes +to Middleton School; but now, who do you think pay for her?" + +"How can I tell?" + +"Do you think mother, or father, or I? Now, who do you think does? I +should be interested to know your thoughts." + +"I cannot really tell you, Miss Lewis." + +"Oh, it does sound fine to hear you Miss Lewising me. My name is +Carrie." + +"I prefer to call you Miss Lewis." + +"Highty! tighty! we are haughty. Well, the person who pays for Elma is +our Aunt Charlotte--a certain Mrs. Steward, wife of the Reverend John +Steward, rector of St. Bartholomew's, Buckinghamshire. There's a grand +enough name for you; and I suppose, being a clergyman, you'll consider +that he is a gentleman and that his wife is a lady. Aunt Charlotte +happens to be own sister to mother; and when Elma made her little +complaint to her she took pity on her; and now she pays all her expenses +at Middleton School. And if Elma does well and nothing disagreeable +comes to Aunt Charlotte's ears, she will send her presently to Newnham +or Girton. Think of that I Elma will be a college girl; she will be an +undergraduate of one of the universities--and some day a graduate; and +then she will get a first-class post as high-school mistress, or +mistress of something or other. But if you tell on her and make things +bad, and the truth gets out--You look pale; are you ill?" + +"I am all right," said Kitty. She staggered across the room and poured +some water into a glass. + +"I did not eat much lunch," she continued; "and I am--Never mind; go +on." + +"Well," continued Carrie, "if nothing comes to Aunt Charlotte's ears to +turn her mind the other way, Elma will be all right; she will move in +your sphere--yes, she will, whether you like it or not. She is just so +clever she is able to do anything. So I have come to say that I hope to +goodness you won't split on her, for it would be mighty cruel of you. +You would ruin her for life, and that would be a nice consolation for +you when you came to die. She did not steal your money, remember; you +gave it to her." + +"I lent it to her." + +"Oh, how you will harp upon that! But you didn't tell her to a day when +she was to pay it back again." + +"No, I certainly did not; but, of course, I expected that she would +return it to me when I asked for it; and then she spent it on dress." + +"Spent it on dress? What do you mean?" + +"She told me so." + +"Oh, naughty, naughty little Elma!" said Carrie, shaking her forefinger +in a very knowing manner "She didn't like to tell about Sam, and so she +made up that story, did she? Well, it was an untruth. She didn't spend +that money on dress; she--well, I will tell you--I stole it from her." + +"You!" gasped Kitty, backing away in horror. + +"Yes. Good gracious! how scared you are! You don't understand the larks +of girls like me. I didn't mean any harm. I took it and gave it to Sam +to keep for her." + +"Then," said Kitty, coming close up to Carrie, her lips parted, the +color flooding her cheeks, her eyes full of light, "then, of course, +you, Carrie----" + +"Oh, I'm Carrie now, am I?" + +"Yes, you are; but never mind. Then, you, Carrie, can get it back for +me?" + +"So I will, all in good time, my pretty little dear. You shall have the +money if you are willing to wait, say a month." + +"There's no use at all in that," said Kitty, her voice sounding faint +and far away. + +"I am afraid there must be, as far as that eight pounds is concerned. +The fact is, Sam is speculating with the money, and when we get it back +it will be doubled. Elma and I will divide the profits between us, and +you shall have your eight pounds back. Now, I think I have told you +everything except--" + +"And, having told me, I wish you would go away," said Kitty. "I don't +know that you have bettered matters in any way. Of course I am sorry for +Elma; but it is only right that you should know something. It would be +well also for Elma to know the truth. I told her yesterday when I went +to your house that I would keep her secret until after morning school." + +"Good gracious! You have not blurted out the truth?" + +"Wait till you hear. When I was at school this morning I was--oh so +miserable! I could not help thinking of--But never mind; you would not +understand." + +"No, no, of course not; pray proceed." + +"I was thinking how soon I might tell." + +"Nice sort of creature you are!" + +"Why will you interrupt me?" said Kitty. "But then I looked at Elma, and +I saw that she seemed very anxious and miserable; and wretched as I was, +I made up my mind to be kind to her. I said to myself I will keep her +secret; and--and I wrote her a note to tell her so. You would not +understand if I said any more; but--but immediately after morning school +she--she was false to me; utterly false. You ask her when you see her +how she received that letter I wrote to her at the risk of getting into +terrible trouble myself. I have been angry, furious, beside myself; and +now Miss Sherrard knows everything." + +"You don't mean it?" said Carrie. Her florid face had turned perfectly +white. She bit her lip and looked out of the window. After a time she +looked back again at Kitty, and said slowly: + +"You are very cruel, and you have ruined Elma; but after all it is +partly my fault. I ought not to have taken that money. Now, look here, +shall I tell you what I really came for to-day?" + +"If you would do so quickly and then go." + +"You won't be in such a hurry to part from me when you know the truth. +Now, then, listen. You want some money; I think I see a way to getting +it for you." + +"Do you really?" + +"Yes, I do; that is, if you on your part will do what I want." + +"I will do anything to get the money. I want to send it to Laurie if I +can this evening. There's nothing I would not give you." + +"I will remember that small promise presently," said Carrie in a frank +voice. "But now let me tell you what my plan is. You have a great many +clothes, have you not?" + +"Yes; but please don't bother me about them now. I was always fond of +pretty dress; but I should not care if I had to wear rags at the present +moment if only I might get that eight pounds." + +"If them's your sentiments," said Carrie, "you very soon can have your +wish." + +"What in the world do you mean?" + +"Why, this. If you'll just allow me to take the pick of your wardrobe I +can take away the things and sell them. I'll soon bring back the eight +pounds--yes, and for that matter ten too." + +"Sell my clothes?" said Kitty. She stared at the other girl as if she +did not believe the evidence of her own senses. + +"Yes. Did you never hear of a pawnshop, you dear little wiseacre?" + +"A pawnshop! Do you think I would allow my clothes to go to a pawnshop?" + +"I know nothing whatever about it; but I make you the proposal. I will +transact the business for you if you'll allow me ten per cent, upon it. +I can get you the money." + +"Oh, Carrie, it seems such a bitter shame," said Kitty. Her face was +crimson; she went to the other side of the room, opened the window and +put out her head. She wanted the cool air to soothe her scorched cheeks; +her heart was thumping in her breast. Had matters indeed come to this, +that she, Kitty Malone, was to pawn her pretty dresses, her trinkets, +her whatnots! Alas! she could not do it. + +"I have often had to do it," said Carrie. "I know just how to manage. If +you'll allow me to select the most suitable of your things, I'll bring +you back the money in no time." + +"You are sure?" said Kitty, beginning to yield. + +"Certain--sure--positive. But you must allow me ten per cent." + +"I know nothing about percentage; but you may take every scrap that is +over after you have got me the eight pounds." + +"Very well, that's a liberal offer," said Carrie. "Now, then, I may as +well take a look at your clothes." + +"Oh, it seems such an awful thing to do," said Kitty. "Are you sure, +quite sure, that no one will find it out?" + +"Not a bit of it; that is, if you'll be quick and not allow that other +girl--Alice, you call her--to come into the room." + +"I'll lock the door," said Kitty. She rushed across the room with new +hope, turned the key, and came back again to Carrie. + +"I never heard of anything quite so extraordinary in my life," she said. +"And you--you call yourself a lady?" + +"No, I don't; I call myself a good-natured lump of a girl." + +"Well, perhaps you are; but to pawn one's things! Do you mean that I +will never see them again?" + +"Oh, yes; whenever you like to return the money. They'll be kept safe +enough for you. If you don't return the money, of course, they belong to +the pawnbroker; but you have lots of time to think of that. Look here, +I'll pawn them for a month; that will give you heaps of time to look +round." + +"So it will," said Kitty. "And are you quite, quite certain that I shall +have the money to-night?" + +"Oh, yes, if you won't talk so much, only act. Now, then, open your +wardrobe." + +Kitty unlocked the door of the mahogany wardrobe which she shared with +Alice, and Carrie began to pull her choice little garments about. + +Kitty went and stood by the window. + +"Don't you want to know what I am taking?" said Carrie. "Don't you want +to make a selection?" + +"No; I'll leave it all to you. I can't bear to see them. Take--take what +you want." + +"Goodness, what a girl!" thought Carrie to herself. "Here's an +opportunity for me." + +She made a hasty and very wise selection, choosing the richest dresses, +the most stylish jackets, skirts, shoes, ribbons, gloves--clipping the +feathers out of the hats and the flowers from the toques--throwing in +some of the finest cambric handkerchiefs; and then, taking a sheet of +brown paper which she had put into a basket on her arm when she left +home, she folded the things into it and fastened her parcel with stout +string. + +"Here I am," she said; "and this is my parcel. I have looked through +your wardrobe; your clothes are neat, fine, some of them gaudy, but all +good. I can get from three to four pounds for this lot." + +"But why don't you take enough to get the eight pounds?" said Kitty, who +had quite made up her mind by this time. + +"I could not carry any more. Now, then, open your jewel-case, quick." + +"My jewel-case. Oh! I cannot part with my jewels." + +"You must, if you want your eight pounds by to-night. I know my +pawnbroker. He won't give five pounds for this little parcel. Now then, +be quick. Oh, there I see Alice Denvers coming up the road with that +other fine young lady, Bessie Challoner. Where's your jewel-case?" + +Kitty's face was like a sheet. + +"I have not any jewels," she said; "or scarcely any worth mentioning. I +didn't bring any jewels with me. But here's my watch; will that do?" + +"Do--rather! Why, it's a beauty. Don't say a word to the others; keep +your own counsel. Now, then, I'll be off to the pawnshop, and you shall +have the money to-night. _Au revoir! an revoir!_" + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +THE LADY FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. + + +Mrs. Steward was a great contrast to Mrs. Lewis. Mrs. Steward was a +tall, thin, rather refined-looking woman. Mrs. Lewis was fat and dumpy, +decidedly untidy in appearance, with a melancholy air and a habit of +constantly indulging in low weeping. Mrs. Steward looked as if she had +never wept in her life; she sat upright as a dart, her movements were +quick, her manners independent; she had a vivacious eye, a somewhat +short nose, thin lips, and a very decided manner. + +Mrs. Steward and Mrs. Lewis had a long conversation in the untidy, ugly +little parlor, while they waited for Elma to return from school. Maggie +had been going in and out, glancing with some apprehension at the lady, +and then whisking back to her kitchen to sigh profoundly and mourn for +the violets which were no longer in her possession. + +"I should like something to eat," said Mrs. Steward to her sister. "I +thought I would come to you for lunch, Caroline. Have you got anything +in the house--a lamb chop or even cold lamb and salad will do quite +nicely." + +"My dear Charlotte," said Mrs. Lewis, laying her fat, tremulous hand +upon her sister's firm but thin arm, "do you think it likely that we +often have lamb chops or even cold lamb and salad for lunch? It is true +that since the Australian meat came in we can now and then indulge in a +very small joint of lamb for Sundays, but certainly on no other day. Ah, +Charlotte, you little know the poverty to which your poor sister is +subjected." + +"I know all about it," said Mrs. Stewart, shaking herself angrily, "and +my plain answer to you is this--as you sow you must reap. What else did +you expect when you married that fool of a man, James Lewis?" + +Mrs. Lewis made a great endeavor to rise from the sofa, she made a +further effort to look dignified; but all she could really accomplish +was to burst into a fresh wail of low weeping and to murmur under her +breath, "Charlotte, you are cruel to me, you are cruel." + +"I don't mean to be, my dear; but really, Caroline, you do annoy me. +Have you no spunk at all in your composition? Are you still fretting +your heart out for that good-for-nothing man?" + +"Well, you see, I love him," said the poor wife. "The parting from my +dear husband was a terrible trial. I think of him at all hours both day +and night. I often have an uncontrollable desire to join him in +Australia." + +"Pray yield to it," said Mrs. Steward in the calmest of voices, "and +when you go, take that great lout of a Caroline with you. She is as like +you in appearance as one pea is like another. I am ashamed of you. Now, +let us turn to a more congenial topic. Little Elma, I am glad to say, +is made of very different stuff." + +"Oh, Elma is a good girl," said Mrs. Lewis. At that moment Maggie came +into the room. + +"Have you ordered your servant to prepare any lunch for me?" said Mrs. +Steward. + +"Well, really--" Mrs. Lewis looked imploringly and with a vacant eye at +Maggie. + +"There's the remains of the salt beef, mum," said that small worthy, +dropping a bob of a courtesy as she spoke. + +"I couldn't touch it," said Mrs. Steward with a shudder. "Have you got a +fresh egg in the house?" + +"Oh, my dear, nothing of the kind--a fresh egg! Fresh eggs are worth +their weight in gold. We have a stale egg, if you don't mind that." + +Mrs. Steward indulged in another shudder even more violent than the +last. + +"My good girl," she said then, "pray get me a cup of tea and some thin +toast, and be quick about it. See that the tea is really strong and the +cream fresh." + +"Cream!" murmured Mrs. Lewis; but Maggie had withdrawn. + +"Well, now, that is comfortably settled," said Mrs. Steward, "and I can +tell you what really brought me to town--I have come about Elma." + +"Indeed, and what about her?" + +"I mean to take her from you." + +"To take Elma away from me, my own dear child?" + +"Oh, now, come, Caroline, don't sicken me with your false sentiment. It +is a precious good thing for Elma that she has got an aunt ready and +willing to help her. I have just arranged to send her to a first-class +German school. Her English, I should say, was fair, and she will be +taken as pupil-teacher; she will thus have the advantage of learning +German. I heard of this through a great friend of mine, Fräulein Van +Brunt. She is going to Germany herself next week, and will take Elma, if +you can spare her." + +"If I can spare her? But it will break my heart--such a sensible girl +as she is," said poor Mrs. Lewis. + +"Come, come, Carrie, no more nonsense; when I explain all the advantages +you will see for yourself how all-important it is that Elma should go. +The school is in the Harz Mountains, a splendid place; magnificent air, +and all the rest. If Elma stays there for two years, I will then have +her home, and send her to Girton as I promised. I will further arrange +that she spends her holidays with me, as I think really--" here Mrs. +Steward glanced round the shabby room--"I think that the less she +remains with her own family for the present the better." + +"I see what you mean. I am beneath my own child." + +"Beneath her. Well, it is a painful thing to say; but, as you put it so +frankly, I must reply in the affirmative," replied Mrs. Steward. "Ah, +who is this now?" + +The door was flung open, and Carrie, very red about the face, and with +her parcel under her arm, entered the room. Her intention was to ask her +mother to accompany her to the pawnshop. It had not been the first nor +the second nor the third time that the unfortunate lady had been obliged +to pawn her things. Carrie thought that her parent could make a better +bargain than she could herself, and she hoped that she would have been +in time to transact this little business before the arrival of her aunt. +She now gave a start of dismay, and, dropping the parcel, sank down on +the nearest chair. As she did so Kitty's watch and chain tumbled out of +the front of her dress, where she had very insecurely fastened them. The +watch was a lovely one, with an enameled back studded with pearls, and +the chain was made of eighteen-carat gold. Owing to a warning glance +from Carrie, Mrs. Lewis refrained from saying a word; but Mrs. Steward +had no idea of keeping her emotions to herself. + +"You, I presume, are Carrie," she said, looking at her niece. "Come +here, Carrie, and speak to your aunt." + +Carrie advanced as if she were treading on buttered eggs. She held out +one dimpled hand gingerly. + +"How do you do, my dear? Allow me to congratulate you on the acquisition +of that very lovely little watch and that splendid chain. Now, I am +devoured with curiosity to know who has given them to you. Surely not +your mother? Surely, Caroline, with all your faults, you have not----" + +"Oh, dear me, no," said Mrs. Lewis. + +Carrie indulged in a loud laugh. + +"Bless us, aunt," she cried, "do you suppose mother can afford to give +me these? No, I--" She grew red and turned away. + +Mrs. Lewis fidgeted on her seat, and appeared thoroughly uncomfortable. + +"I do not wish to pry into your secrets, Caroline," said Mrs. Steward, +favoring the untidy and vulgar-looking girl with a glance full of +reprehension. "You are at liberty to wear handsome watches and chains +made of the best gold if your mother cares to see you with things so +unsuitable to your class and appearance. Your doings in life are no +affair of mine. But now, as you happen to be my niece, will you have the +kindness to go immediately into the kitchen and tell Maggie, or whatever +the name of your servant is, to hurry with that tea and toast." + +Carrie was only too glad to dart from the room. She picked up her +parcel, and resorted to the kitchen. + +"Oh, Miss Carrie, I do wish you would help me," said Maggie, who was +flying distractedly about. "There's the kitchen fire all but out, and +the lady ordered toast as crisp as you please. I don't believe we can do +it for her. Wouldn't she be content with thin bread and butter curled in +rolls?" + +"Oh, of course she would, and must," said Carrie. "She is in no end of a +temper, and for my part I don't wish to humor her. Yes, of course, +Maggie. I'll cut the bread and butter and make it into rolls, and you +see to the tea." + +"Thank you, miss, I'm sure I'm much obliged, and perhaps, miss, you +wouldn't mind taking it into the dining-room, for her eyes do fasten on +to you that fierce that I get all of a tremble, and as likely as not +I'll drop the tray." + +Carrie laughed, and being at heart good-natured in her own way, helped +Maggie with some vigor to prepare the tea. + +At last a meal, which could not be remarked for its abundance, was +forthcoming, and was brought into the dining-room. + +"I ordered toast," said Mrs. Steward in an angry voice. + +"I am sorry, Aunt Charlotte," said Carrie; "but the fire happened to be +out in the kitchen. You see," she added, somewhat spitefully, "we are +obliged to economize with coals, and we don't keep a fire up in the +middle of the day." + +"Well, I am really so famished that I am content with anything," said +the good lady. "Pour me out a cup of tea at once, my dear, and just put +the bread and butter where I can reach it." + +Carrie did so, winking at her mother as she arranged the tray. The next +moment Mrs. Lewis went out into the passage. Carrie followed her, +closing the door behind their guest. + +"Mother, I want you to come with me to the Sign of the Three Balls." + +"What in the world for, Carrie?" + +"I have got to pawn some things, some beautiful things, and I am to get +ten per cent, on the commission. I shall turn over a nice little bit of +money, and you can have your favorite supper. You will come, won't you, +mother? And I'll give you half a crown into the bargain." + +"Oh, dear, dear," said Mrs. Lewis, "I wish she had not come! She never +helps me in any way. All she does is to scold me and make me more +depressed than I am already. And she blames me so for marrying your poor +father, Carrie; as if I could help that now. And what do you think she +is going to do? She says she is going to take Elma from us." + +"And a good thing, too," said Carrie. + +"Carrie, what an unnatural girl you are! Do you mean to say you would be +glad to part from your sister?" + +"I would, because I am fond of her, and she has got into the most awful +scrape at school. Don't you put any spoke in her wheel, mother, for +goodness' sake!" + +At that moment the latchkey was heard in the lock, and Elma herself +appeared on the scene. + +"Oh, good gracious! Elma," cried Carrie, darting up to her sister, and +beginning to whisper vigorously into her ear. + +"What?" said Elma, with a start of dismay. "So soon?" + +"Yes, yes; she's been here for nearly an hour. She is devouring rolled +bread and butter and tea in the dining-room at present. She asked for +toast----" + +"Yes," interrupted Mrs. Lewis, who now came up and began also to +whisper; "yes, and fresh eggs, and cream, and lamb chops, and cold lamb +and salad. I never heard of anything so unreasonable. My poor head is in +an awful whirl. But she has come about you, Elma. She wants to take you +away with her." + +"She wants to take me away with her?" exclaimed Elma, starting, and her +pale face flushing. + +"And you had better go, Elma, and be quick about it," said Carrie, +giving her a warning glance. + +"I don't know what all this means," said Elma, her heart beating +uncomfortably fast; "but I had better go in and see Aunt Charlotte." + +"Yes, my love, yes; and while you are talking to her I--What do you +say, Carrie--you and I might go out upon that little matter of business, +might we not?" + +"To be sure, mother; an excellent thought. If you stay here I'll run +upstairs and fetch your bonnet, veil, and mantle in a twinkling. Go in +to Aunt Charlotte, Elma; do, for goodness sake, make yourself of use. +More depends on it than you think. If she hears us whispering and +mattering in the hall she'll be out upon us." + +Elma instinctively put up her two hands to smooth back her hair, she +straightened her already perfectly neat little jacket, and, drawing +herself up to her full _petite_ height, entered the little dining-room. + +Elma was a perfect contrast to her untidy mother and her frowzy sister. +However poorly dressed, she was always the pink of neatness. She was +full of agitation now and nervous fear, but not a trace of these +emotions could be visible in her manner and appearance. She went up to +her Aunt Charlotte, who for her part held out both her arms and, drawing +the girl down, printed a kiss upon her cheek. + +"I am really glad to see you, Elma," exclaimed Mrs. Steward. "Sit near +me, my dear; it is a pity you were not in when I arrived. It was the +least you might have done for your aunt, Elma. You had my letter this +morning. Oh, my poor child, I have gone through a dreadful hour! These +vulgar relations of yours grow worse and worse." + +"My mother and sister?" murmured Elma. + +"Yes; it is a terrible affliction for you. But, my dear, I am going to +relieve you from the strain. I, your aunt, am coming to the rescue. +There, Elma, pour me out another cup of tea, and I will tell you +everything." + +Elma raised the teapot, she filled her aunt's cup with fresh tea, added +a little milk, and brought it to her side. + +"Thank you, my dear. Now, Elma, you may consider yourself a made girl." + +"Made?" echoed Elma, turning her white face to Mrs. Steward. + +"Yes, made. What would you say to going abroad?" + +Elma's eyes brightened. + +"Do you mean on the Continent?" + +"Yes, I do, my dear child. To no less a place than the Harz Mountains. I +have heard of a most charming school, fifty times better than Middleton +School; and you are to go there, my dear Elma, at my expense. You will +go as pupil-teacher, and you thus acquire perfect German. Think what +that will mean for you! I propose to leave you in Germany for two years, +and at the end of that time you will return and go to Girton, I being +responsible for all your expenses. My dear, your fortune is made. I have +further arranged with your poor unfortunate mother that you spend the +holidays with me, as it is not to be expected that you can associate any +longer with such a person, nor with that frowzy young woman who calls +herself your sister." + +Elma did not speak. This news which would have delighted her at another +and less harassing moment, was now fraught with perplexity and alarm. At +the same time she thought she saw in it a possible means of escape. +Suppose Aunt Charlotte took her away at once, before Kitty had time to +tell what she knew, before Middleton School had time to ring with the +news of her dishonor. Oh, if so, she might indeed be saved! + +"Am I to go immediately?" she asked, choking down a strangled sob in her +throat, "or am I to stay at Middleton School till the end of the term?" + +"Well, dear, that is the awkward part, for of course you are working +very hard for a prize, are you not?" + +"I am working for a small scholarship," answered Elma. "If I succeed in +my examination I shall obtain a scholarship in English Literature worth +ten pounds a year for three years. That would be a very large sum to me, +Aunt Charlotte." + +"A large sum to you! I should think it would be a large sum to anybody," +said Mrs. Steward in a severe tone. "Ten pounds is quite a fortune for +any young girl. Pray don't begin to speak of money in that disparaging +sort of way, Elma; it ill suits your circumstances, my love. But now, +dear, I am sorry to disappoint you--I have heard of an admirable escort; +a certain Fräulein Van Brunt is going to the Harz Mountains next Monday; +it will therefore be necessary for me to take you back to +Buckinghamshire to-night, Elma." + +"Oh, Aunt Charlotte, I am glad!" burst from Elma's lips. + +"Glad to leave your mother and sister?" said Mrs, Steward, looking +severely at the young girl. "After all, they are the last people you +ought to associate with; but still natural ties, my dear Elma." + +"Oh, I am sorry to leave them, I am sorry to go; I am both glad and +sorry," gasped poor Elma. "I have been worried, and am glad to get out +of everything." + +"Worried! I suppose with that dreadful sister and your poor, muddled +mother. Her unfortunate habit of weeping has reduced the little brain +she possessed to a state of pap. Of course I know she is not well off; +but all she absolutely could offer me in this house was a stale egg, and +not even toast. Oh, I scorn to complain, but--I know this is not your +wish, Elma. Your ideas were always very different, my dear child." + +Elma did not say anything; she was fidgeting with her hand, making a +slight noise with the teaspoon which she was tapping against a saucer. +The noise was irritating to Mrs. Steward's easily-affected nerves. + +"That calm of manner which I trust you will acquire after you have had +the advantages which I am giving you will soon show you how very +unpleasant those little tattoos and small noises are, Elma," remarked +the good lady, taking the teaspoon severely out of her niece's hand. +"Yes, my dear, you are to come with me to-night; that is, of course--" + +"What do you mean by 'of course,' Aunt Charlotte?" + +"After I have seen your head-mistress, Miss Sherrard." + +"Do you want to see Miss Sherrard?" asked Elma, a note of alarm in her +voice. + +"Certainly; and I am going immediately to the school. You will not be +admitted into the admirable school in Germany without a testimonial from +your present teacher; and I am going to Miss Sherrard in order to +secure one. It will, of course be merely a matter of form my asking for +it, for your conduct has always been admirable--admirable in the +extreme. Miss Sherrard has written to me about you from time to time, +and always spoke of you with affection and admiration. She said your +abilities were good; your moral character without a flaw. I will just +step across to the school now, Elma; and, if you like, you can accompany +me." + +Elma hesitated. She did not yet know what had taken place; but when she +had last seen Kitty there was a flash in her eyes the reverse of +assuring. She could only hope against hope that nothing had yet taken +place; that Kitty had still kept her miserable secret. If Miss Sherrard +knew nothing she would of course give her an excellent character; and +she herself would leave Middleton School that afternoon and forever. +Then indeed she might snap her fingers at Kitty and her distress. She +would be saved just at the very moment when she thought her ruin most +imminent. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +STUNNED AND COLD. + + +"Come, Elma, what are you looking so thoughtful about?" asked Mrs. +Steward in an impatient voice. + +"Nothing, Aunt Charlotte," replied Elma, rising to her feet. "I am ready +to go," she added. She sighed as she spoke. + +"You must give up that unpleasant habit, my dear child. Nothing +irritates me more than hearing people sigh. It always seems as if they +were discontented and ungrateful to Providence. Now, what have you, for +instance, to sigh about? A singularly fortunate girl, a girl who +possesses an aunt who is willing to take a mother's duties upon her +shoulders. If it were that wretched, vulgar Carrie now, or even my poor +sister herself; but you, Elma, don't let me think that you are +ungrateful to me or I wash my hands of you on the spot." + +"Oh, I am nothing of the kind indeed, Aunt Charlotte," replied Elma. "I +always have felt that you--you were more than good to me." + +"Well, my dear that's as it should be. I honor your feelings. I often +say to myself and to your uncle-in-law--remember he is not your real +uncle, Elma, but your uncle-in-law, my dear husband, the rector of St. +Bartholomew's--'John,' I say, 'if Elma doesn't show gratitude for all I +am doing for her I shall once and for all give up the human race. I +shall never again expect right feeling from any one." But of course you +are grateful, Elma; you will be the comfort of my old age. You will be +as my own child to me. I--I sometimes think, my dear, that when your +education is finished and you are turned into a refined, +highly-cultivated, highly-trained woman, I will keep you with me. You +shall be my companion, my housekeeper, the one who is to read aloud to +me, to sit with me in the long evenings when my sight begins to fail. My +eyes do ache at times, my dear, I have thought of all that. You will be +my adopted child; not that I can leave you anything in my will, but I +would provide a home for you while I am left in this tabernacle of the +flesh. What do you say, Elma, eh?" + +"It is too soon to say anything at present," answered Elma, to whom this +prospect was the reverse of charming. To live as her aunt's unsalaried +companion could not be attractive to her; but she wisely concluded that +sufficient unto the day was the evil thereof, and she had yet to be +educated and brought to that calm of spirit and strain of intellect +which would satisfy Aunt Charlotte. + +"Come now at once," said the good lady, who suddenly from being in a +very cross temper became in the best of humor. "We have just nice time +to go across to the school, and then after we have seen Miss Sherrard to +return here for you to pack your things. What do you say, Elma, to our +both staying in London to-night? It would be a pleasant treat for you, +and there may be a few little things necessary to add to your wardrobe, +which I shall have much pleasure in providing you with. Elma, you are in +rare luck. When I think of all I am doing for you I feel that you have +indeed much to be thankful for." + +"Yes, Aunt Charlotte," echoed Elma, but her voice sounded faint, and she +brought out her words with an effort. + +Leaning on her niece's arm, Mrs. Steward now pursued her way to +Middleton School. Alas! her journey there quickly dissipated her lately +acquired good-humor. She had not gone one hundred yards before she +complained of the dust of the roads, she had not gone two before her +anger was great at the length of the way, and when she found that it was +necessary to mount uphill her complaints became loud grievances--in +short, by the time she really arrived at the school she was in as bad a +temper as Elma had ever seen her in. + +"What it is to have a great girl like you hanging on to one, dependent +on one!" she cried. "It was most inconsiderate of Caroline to marry as +she did, and she now even complains when I blame her for it. She is an +extraordinary person. If she had remained single she might have been +living comfortably with me at St. Bartholomew's rectory, and you and +Carrie would never have been in the world plaguing your relatives." + +"Well, you see we are in the world," said poor Elma, who felt that she +must just show the faintest spark of spirit. "We did not ask to be +born," she added, "so I don't see that we are to be blamed." + +Mrs. Steward favored her with a sharp glance. + +"Elma," she said, "if you indulge in pertness I shall wash my hands of +you. Now, here we are. Have the goodness to ring the bell." + +The great school door was opened presently by a neat-looking +maid-servant, and Mrs. Steward inquired in a tart voice if Miss Sherrard +was in." + +"She is, ma'am," replied the girl; "but she is particularly engaged at +this moment. Oh, is that you, Miss Lewis?" she continued. "Miss Sherrard +is just sending for you, miss; but I don't think the messenger has gone +yet. I'll run and stop him. Will you walk inside, ma'am!" + +"A messenger for me!" murmured Elma. She felt terribly uncomfortable; +her face grew whiter than ever. + +"Will you have the goodness to tell your mistress that I wish to speak +to her at once," said Mrs. Steward; "that I am in a hurry, and cannot be +kept waiting? Pray mention my name, Mrs. Steward, from St. Bartholomew's +Rectory, Buckinghamshire." + +The girl promised to do so, and withdrew. She soon returned to say that +Miss Sherrard would be pleased to see both Mrs. Steward and Miss Lewis +in her private room. + +"I wish to see Miss Sherrard alone," said Mrs. Steward. "Remain where +you are, Elma." Mrs. Steward sailed out of the room, and poor Elma sank +down on the nearest chair. + +"If Miss Sherrard has sent for me she must know something," thought the +wretched girl. "Oh! how am I to live through it? She will tell Aunt +Charlotte and then all my prospects are over." + +Meanwhile Mrs. Steward sailed down the passage with a dignity and +majesty of demeanor which impressed Miss Sherrard's neat handmaid +considerably. The next instant she was ushered into the school-mistress' +presence. + +Miss Sherrard looked troubled; she came forward to meet Mrs. Steward +very gravely, and, motioning with her hand to a chair, asked her to seat +herself. Mrs. Steward stared for a moment at the head-mistress, and the +head-mistress stared back at her. At last Mrs. Steward said glibly: + +"I am sorry to take up any of your valuable time, Miss Sherrard; but I +think I can explain my errand in a few words. I am about to remove my +niece, Elma Lewis, from the school." + +"Indeed, I am heartily glad to hear it," answered Miss Sherrard, visible +relief both in her tone and face. + +"What an extraordinary remark for you to make! But I will pass it by, +for I am in a considerable hurry. I have heard of an admirable school in +Germany to which I intend to send my niece. Not that I have the least +objection to your mode of teaching, Miss Sherrard, nor to this very +celebrated school; but of course when it comes to foreign languages you +cannot compare England to the Continent." + +"Certainly not," answered Miss Sherrard, who was now staring at the +other lady in some wonder. + +"It is my intention to remove Elma to-night," continued Mrs. Steward; +"for although it is not quite the end of term, yet the Harz Mountains +are some distance away, and it would not be possible for a young girl +who has at present no knowledge of the German language to go so far +without an escort. Miss Sherrard, you will be glad to hear that an +escort has been found, a suitable escort, and Elma will leave England +next week. Under these circumstance I propose to take her back to my +husband's rectory in Buckinghamshire to-morrow morning, and she will +leave the school now." + +"Indeed! I repeat that this is a most fortunate coincidence. I am glad +to hear it," said Miss Sherrard. + +"Your remarks seem to me the reverse of flattering; but I have no time +to ask you to explain them. What I have really come about is this: It is +necessary for Elma to have a certificate from her present mistress in +order to be admitted into the very first-class school in Germany where I +propose to place her. Will you kindly give me a testimonial in my +niece's favor, Miss Sherrard? Just say anything you can to the credit of +her character and general attainments. From your many letters to me I +judge that you have a very high opinion of the dear girl; and I trust, +now that I am doing so much, in starting this young girl in life, that I +shall not go unrewarded. The care of the young is a sad trial, Miss +Sherrard and I doubt not that the looking after Elma will worry me +considerably; but I am not one to shirk my duties, and I am willing to +take all this responsibility, and for the future to regard that young +girl as if she were indeed my own child. But I must have the +testimonial, so will you kindly write it at once." + +Miss Sherrard had been sitting with her hands clasped in her lap while +Mrs. Steward was speaking. Once she had lowered her eyes; but during +the greater part of the time they were fixed upon the good lady's face. +A look of consternation, almost akin to despair, flitted now over the +teacher's expressive countenance. + +When at last Mrs. Steward ceased to speak, Miss Sherrard still remained +for nearly half a minute quite silent. + +"You will perhaps oblige me by writing the testimonial?" said Mrs. +Steward in a very haughty voice. Then she added, perceiving that +something was wrong, and finding it impossible to guess what, "I dare +say you are annoyed at Elma leaving the school so unexpectedly--" + +"No, no; nothing of the kind," said Miss Sherrard. "I have told you +twice, Mrs. Steward, that I am glad, very glad of this." + +"Your words surprise me; but of course you will write--my time is +precious, I have not a moment to lose." + +Miss Sherrard now stood up. + +"I cannot give Elma Lewis a testimonial with regard to conduct." The +words came out quietly, firmly, distinctly. + +Mrs. Steward sprang to her feet. + +"You cannot give my niece a testimonial with regard to conduct?" she +gasped. "Do you know what you are saying what you are doing, Miss +Sherrard?" + +"Perfectly well, Mrs. Steward." + +"In your letters to me you have invariably spoken of Elma's conduct as +excellent. Miss Sherrard, you surely forget yourself--you cannot be +well; you must be mistaking Elma for one of your other pupils? She has +always been an exemplary girl. You cannot give her a testimonial with +regard to conduct? Am I to believe the testimony of my own ears?" + +"I am deeply sorry; I have seldom been more grieved about anything. I am +told that Elma has accompanied you here--if you will permit me, I will +send for her, and explain how matters really stand in your presence." + +"Oh, this is intolerable," said Mrs. Steward, clasping and unclasping +her hands in her agitation. "The wicked girl, what has she done? Pray +send for her at once, Miss Sherrard; if she has done anything really +disgraceful I wash my hands of her. If you, her mistress, cannot give +her a certificate, do you suppose that my husband and I will take her +up?" + +"It is impossible for me to say, madam. In this emergency to really help +Elma would be a Christian act. She may have been tempted beyond her +strength, but you will be better able to decide when you know the +circumstances." + +As Miss Sherrard spoke she rang the bell. "When the servant appeared, +she desired her to bring Elma immediately into her presence. A moment +later the young girl entered the room. She gave a wild and frightened +glance first at her aunt, then at Miss Sherrard, then stepping forward, +fell on her knees. + +"Has Kitty told you?" she gasped. + +"Yes, Elma. Get up; you cannot kneel to me." + +"Rise this minute you wicked girl!" said Mrs. Steward. + +Elma staggered to her feet. + +"It is all up, then," she murmured. + +"I know everything, Elma," said Miss Sherrard. "The knowledge has come +to me as a painful surprise. Your aunt has just asked me to give you a +testimonial with regard to character. I am bitterly pained to say that I +must refuse to do so." + +"But what does it all mean," cried Mrs. Steward, "and why am I to be +kept in the dark any longer? Elma, stop twirling your thumbs; stand +back. Now, Miss Sherrard, I have paid the school fees for Elma Lewis for +the last four years, so I presume I am entitled to know all about her. +Tell me what has occurred. Of what she is accused?" + +Miss Sherrard then briefly related the story which had been told to her +by Kitty. + +It was exactly the sort of tale which would affect a woman of Mrs. +Steward's caliber disagreeably. She listened with a horror-stricken +face. When the school-mistress had finished, she said abruptly: + +"What do you propose to do now?" + +"It will be necessary for me to explain the whole circumstances of +Elma's wrong-doing to the entire school to-morrow," said Miss Sherrard. +"This is necessary for the sake of Kitty Malone." + +"At what hour do you propose to make this very pleasant exhibition of my +niece?" + +"After prayers to-morrow morning--I sent for you, Elma," continued Miss +Sherrard, "to tell you, as I thought you ought to be prepared." + +"Thank you," answered Elma, her head bowed on her breast. She felt +stunned and cold. The dreadful blow had fallen; but the acute misery +which was immediately to follow was not at present awakened within +her. + +"Come, Elma," said Mrs. Steward. She turned to leave the room. Just as +she reached the door she looked back at Miss Sherrard. + +"After you have exposed Elma, and ruined her character for life, you +will doubtless expel her?" she said. + +"I hope not--I think not." + +"In any case she leaves the school, for I pay no more fees. Come Elma." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +STARS AND MOON, AND GOD BEHIND. + + +During the long walk home to Constantine Road the elder and the younger +lady maintained an absolute silence. As soon as they got to the house +Mrs. Steward turned to Elma for the first time and spoke. + +"Find out immediately if your mother is in. If she is tell her I wish to +see her. Go; don't stare at me." + +Elma went without a word. Her mother was in, and so was Carrie. + +"Mother," said Elma, "Aunt Charlotte wants to see you." + +"Why, my dear Elma, what is the matter? How queer you look!" + +"Don't mind about me, mother, pray; the expression of my face is not +worth considering. Aunt Charlotte is waiting for you in the +dining-room." + +Mrs. Lewis gave a profound sigh. + +"How very unreasonable of Charlotte!" she said; "she will doubtless be +expecting more tea and cream and fresh eggs, and other impossibilities." + +"Oh, go mother, and stop talking," said Elma. + +Mrs. Lewis dragged herself up from the sofa on which she was reclining. + +"I really don't know what the world is coming to," she said. "Even my +own children are turning out quite disagreeable to me. Dear! dear! what +it is to be a mother! How little those who are fortunate in not +possessing children understand the burden!" + +She went, downstairs slowly, and Elma turned to Carrie. + +Carrie was standing with her back to her; she was making up something in +tissue-paper. + +"Well, Elma," she said, looking up at her sister, "what is up?" + +"Everything is up," said Elma. + +"What do you mean?" + +"Everything is up and everything is over. What are you doing with that +paper, Carrie?" + +"I am folding up the money I have just got for Kitty Malone?" + +"The money you have got for Kitty Malone! Has--has Sam Raynes returned +the sovereigns?" + +"Bless you, poor Sam can't do impossibilities. No; this money has +nothing whatever to do with Sam. I am folding it up, and giving her a +little account with it. We got exactly eleven pounds eleven shillings +for the clothes and the watch and chain. She can redeem them all within +a month if she likes. Here is the pawnbroker's receipt; tell her to keep +it until she does. She can redeem them whenever she cares to pay back +eleven pounds eleven shillings with interest. My commission at ten per +cent, is one pound three shillings and tenpence--that leaves a balance +of ten pounds seven shilling and twopence; it will doubtless get her +nicely out of her difficulty. She ought to be thankful to me to her +dying day. Look here, Elma, if you are worried about things--and I can +guess what is the matter pretty well; for I happen to know that Kitty +Malone made a clean breast of your secret not long ago--you will be glad +to get out of the house. Here, take this money to her, and be off, can't +you?" + +Elma still did not speak. That cold, stunned feeling was pressing round +her heart. She did not much care whether she was in the house or not. +Just at that moment, however, a loud slam of the front door caused both +the girls to run to the window. Mrs. Steward had sailed down the steps. +Mrs. Steward with her long train streaming behind her, was walking up +Constantine Road. The next instant Mrs. Lewis burst into the room. + +"Well, Elma," she cried, "this is a pretty state of things. Your aunt +has told me everything. What a miserable woman I am!" + +"Please, don't scold me," said Elma. "I have had enough scolding during +the last hour to last me my life. Say what you like to me to-morrow." + +"But your aunt says she washes her hands of you. How are you to be +educated? How are you to live? How are you to support yourself?" + +"I don't know. I don't think it much matters." + +"Don't talk in that silly way, Elma; of course it matters. She says too +that you are to be publicly exposed at Middleton School to-morrow, and +your conduct--I must say I could not make out what she was talking +about; I don't see that you did anything very wrong--but your conduct is +to be proclaimed to the school, and that you are to be, if not expelled, +something like it. Elma, this is enough to take all my senses away!" + +"Never mind, now, mother; we can talk it all over presently," said Elma. +"Give me the money, Carrie, and let me go." + +Carrie handed her sister the little parcel without a word. Elma walked +slowly out of the room. + +A moment later she found herself on the dusty road. She reached the top +of the ugly street, and then paused to look around her. To her right lay +the peaceful valley in which Middleton School was situated. A little +further away was the open country, beautiful, verdant, full of summer +splendor. Gwin Harley's house could be seen in the distance. + +"If only Gwin had been my friend this morning, all these terrible things +need not have happened," thought Elma. "I have nothing to thank Gwin +for; I have nothing to thank Kitty for. I am a miserable, forlorn, +forsaken girl. There is nothing before me but the most wretched life. +Shall I go to see Kitty? Does Kitty deserve anything at my hands? I have +got ten pounds seven shillings and twopence in my pocket. Why should I +not go right away with the money? I don't think Kitty would prosecute +me; and if she did would it matter? I am so hopeless that I don't think +anything much worse could happen to me. I know I could not stand being +publicly exposed to-morrow at the school. I cannot have those hundreds +of eyes fixed on me; I, who have always been looked up to, respected, +who belonged to the Tug-of-war Society. I cannot, cannot bear it. Why +should Kitty have this money? She has treated me badly. She promised +not to tell. She had no right to break her word. I cannot see her at +present; no, I cannot." + +Elma walked down the road. She longed beyond words to get into a fresh +place, to be where there was no chance of meeting a Middleton girl. She +walked faster and faster. Presently she found herself at the little +station; she had not an idea where to go nor what to do. She had no +luggage with her. It would look queer her going away without even a +handbag. It would look very much as if she were running away. All the +girls belonging to Middleton School had to wear a badge on their hats, +and Elma would therefore be known. She would be recognized as one of the +pupils. Nevertheless she thought she would risk it, for the longing to +go away got stronger and stronger. + +The railway station happened to be rather empty at this time. She looked +around her hastily, saw no one that she knew about, and went into the +booking-office. She hastily made up her mind to take a ticket for a +large seaport town a few miles distant. She asked for a third-class +single ticket to Saltbury, inquired when the next train came up, and a +few moments later found herself on the right platform waiting for it. It +came in within a quarter of an hour, and Elma took her seat in a +third-class compartment. She was relieved to find that she was in the +company of a good-natured-looking, middle-aged woman who was just +returning to her own home from doing some marketing at Middleton. She +did not take any notice of Elma, who crouched up in the opposite corner, +and sat looking out at the country. The woman left the carriage at the +next station, and Elma continued her journey for the rest of the way +alone. She got to Saltbury within an hour, and stepped out on to the +platform. She had been at Saltbury before with her mother and Carrie. +They had once spent a never-to-be-forgotten week there when Mrs. Lewis +had a ten-pound note in her pocket which she resolved to devote to a +treat at the seaside. Elma wondered if she might venture to go to the +little cottage in the suburbs of Saltbury where she had spent this week. +After reflection, however, she thought that it would not be wise to +venture, for if she were missed it would be very easy to trace her to +Saltbury, and then this cottage would be the first to seek for her in. +Accordingly she went into the more thronged and populous part of the +town. The expensive season had not yet begun, and she presently went +into a neat little house with "Apartments" written on a card in the +window. She asked for a bed for the night. The landlady, a ruddy-faced +young woman, immediately said she could accommodate her, and took Elma +upstairs to the top of the house to show her a neat little bedroom. + +"You can have this for half a crown a night, miss," she said. "Are you +likely to make a long stay?" + +"I don't know," answered Elma; "I can't be sure. I want the room for one +night, and then I'll let you know." + +"Very well, miss, that's quite satisfactory, and I can get in anything +you like in the way of food. If you happened to wish for a sitting-room, +miss--" + +"Oh, no, a bedroom will be enough," answered Elma. "I do not care to go +to the expense of a sitting-room." + +"You left your luggage I suppose, miss, at the railway station?" + +Elma colored and then turned pale. + +"No," she said; "I have not brought any luggage with me." + +The woman stared, opening her eyes very wide, now giving Elma a full and +particular attention which she had not hitherto vouchsafed to her. She +said nothing further, and Elma went downstairs. + +"I'll go down to the beach for a little," she said. "You might have some +tea ready for me when I come back. I am very tired, and should like some +tea and toast." + +"And a hegg, miss, or anything of that sort?" + +"No, thank you; just tea and toast, please. Nothing more." + +The woman stared after her as she went down the street. Elma got as far +as the beach; she then sat down on a bench and gazed out at the waves. +The tide was coming in. The beach at Saltbury was celebrated, and +children were playing about, amusing themselves gathering shells, making +sand-castles, and otherwise disporting themselves after the manner of +their kind. A little boy was wading far out. Elma watched him with +lack-luster eyes. She wondered vaguely how long he would be allowed to +wade, and how deep he might go. He got as far as his knees, and then +turned back. As he was going back he fell, wetting himself and crying +out lustily. + +Elma continued to gaze at him with eyes which scarcely saw. + +"He thinks he is hurt," she said to herself, "that he has had a +terrible misfortune. How little he knows what real pain means, and what +real misfortune is! Here am I with money in my pocket which does not +belong to me, having run away from home, disgraced for life, miserable +for life. Oh! what shall I do?" + +It had been a very hot day, but the evening was chilly, and Elma +shivered as she went back to her lodgings in South Street. She had +brought away no wraps with her, and her thin cotton dress was not +sufficient to keep out the chill of the sea breezes. She thought she +would be glad to get under shelter, to go to bed, to wrap herself up and +cover her face and court sleep. When she got to the door, however, the +young landlady, who was evidently waiting for her, came out on to the +steps. + +"If you please, miss," she said, "I am really very sorry, but my husband +thinks----" + +"What?" said Elma. + +"That as you have no luggage, miss (you know it ain't customary for us +to take in ladies without luggage)----" + +"Then you mean--" said Elma, turning very white and pale. + +"Yes, miss, I'm ever so sorry." + +"You can't give me the room even for one night?" + +"We can't really, miss." + +"But I can pay in advance," said Elma eagerly. + +"I'm ever so sorry, miss; but another lady came just as you left, and +she had a box and a handbag, and everything proper, and as she wanted +the room very badly and as we had her before, we have let it to her, +miss. I am sure I am very sorry not to oblige; but I dare say--There +are a great many other apartments down this road, miss." + +"Thank you," said Elma; "it does not matter at all." + +She spoke with a voice of ice; pride, a remnant of pride, came to her +aid. She would not let the woman see how distressed she was. + +"Good-evening, miss," said the young landlady. "I'm real sorry not to +oblige." + +"Oh, it doesn't matter," said Elma; "I dare say I can manage." + +She walked down South Street, knowing that the landlady was watching her +as she disappeared. She soon came to a corner where four roads met. +Where should she go? What could she do? Where was she to have shelter +for the night? + +It occurred to her that after all there was nothing now left to her but +to return to Middleton. She hurried up to the railway station, and asked +when the next train would start. A porter, who was standing just inside +the station informed her that the last train for Middleton had left five +minutes ago. + +"The next will be at seven to-morrow morning," he said. + +"Thank you," answered Elma. She would not allow any of the dismay on her +face to appear. + +"After all, it is too absurd that I can't have shelter," she said to +herself, "when I have over ten pounds in my pocket. What can the +landlady have meant? Surely, if I pay my way that is all that is +necessary." + +But, all the same, she did not like to go and inquire at any other +lodging. She could not stand meeting once again the stony stare of a +landlady when she explained that she had no luggage, none at all. It +occurred to her that she might go into a shop and buy some night-gear +and a small handbag, but she rejected the idea almost as quickly as it +came to her. + +"It would only waste the money," she said to herself, "and where is the +use? I suppose I can manage to spend the night somewhere. Thank +goodness, it is a fine summer's night; I might do worse than spend it in +the open air." + +She wandered away, and presently passing a small restaurant, went in and +ordered a cup of tea for herself, and some bread and butter. She drank +the tea, but found that to eat choked her. The outlook before her was +more miserable moment by moment. She was driven to such despair that it +seemed of very little consequence to her whether she succeeded in +getting away from Middleton School, from the censorious eyes of the +whole of her world, or not. Everything was up with her. She kept +repeating that moodily, drearily under her breath. Everything was up; +she had not a friend in the wide, wide world. + +Having finished her meager meal, she went out again into South Street. +She was horrified when she saw the name at one end of the street. She +did not want to pass by that neat little house which contained that snug +little bedroom where she had hoped to cover her eyes from the light, and +court sleep, in order to get rid of her misery for a few hours. + +She had now reached the neighborhood of the shore. The tide was nearly +full in; the great, broad expanse of beach was covered. The children +had all gone home to supper and to bed. The stars were coming out in the +sky; a full moon was riding in majesty across the heavens. It seemed to +Elma, fine as the night was, that the sea moaned in an unreasonable and +very dreadful manner. She had to press her hands to her ears to shut +away the sound of that moaning sea. She determined to go inland. There +was plenty of time, plenty. She could get back to the station by seven +in the morning, wait for the first train which returned to Middleton, +and reach the school after all in time for her exposure. + +She turned her steps now countrywise, and after walking for a mile or +two found that she was too weary to go any further. She crept inside a +narrow opening in a hedge, and got into a field. Here she was absolutely +alone; not a human being was in sight. As far as she could tell there +was not a living creature near. She felt the grass; it was heavy with +dew. She had always heard that it was very dangerous to sit down on +grass soaked with dew, but danger now was of no moment to her. + +"It would be rather nice to be ill; it would be rather nice to die." She +had nothing left to live for. Her whole life had been a mistake. She had +tried hard to get away from her own set, the set in which she was born. +She had made a mess of it; she had failed. Her own set--the +narrow-minded, the vulgar, the low--were the only ones who could claim +her, who could touch her, who could have anything in common with her. +How terribly shocked Miss Sherrard had been at what she had done. How +disgusted, how coldly, terribly cruel Aunt Charlotte had been; but her +mother had thought very little about it, and Carrie would love her just +as much after her disgraceful conduct as she had done before. + +"I belong to them, and they belong to me," thought poor Elma. "My +ambitions were wrong; I shall sink now, and become a second Carrie. No, +I shall never marry a Sam Raynes, but I shall become a sour old maid. +Perhaps I shall do charring some day, there is no saying. I did wrong to +try to raise myself. I----" + +She never saw where her fault lay. She was not really repentant for her +wrong-doing. The consequences were terrible, but the sin did not trouble +her. + +After a time, terribly exhausted and weary, she lay down just as she was +on the soaking wet grass and fell asleep. She had been chilled and tired +before she slept; but when in the very middle of the night she awoke she +had never known anything like the bitter cold which she experienced. She +could not at first remember where she was; but all too soon memory with +a flash returned to her. She remembered all the events of yesterday. She +knew that she was a runaway, that she had stolen money in her pocket. +She might be arrested and put in prison; there was no saying what awful +fate lay before her. In the dead of night lying there she became really +frightened; she almost felt as if she could scream aloud in her terror. +How empty the world seemed, how hollow! She wished the stars overhead +would not blink at her; she wished the moon would go behind a cloud; she +felt as if God Himself was looking at her through the face of the moon, +and she did not like it. She covered her face with her cold and +trembling hands, and tried to shut away what she felt might be the face +of God Himself. + +"I have been a very wicked girl," she moaned, and now, for the first +time, she thought not so much of the consequences as of the sin. Tears +rained from her eyes; she sat up and covered her face. + +"God help me! Please, God, don't be too angry, with me; I am the most +miserable girl in the world," she faltered. + +After that frightened cry or prayer she felt more comfortable; and now, +staggering to her feet, she saw, standing about ten yards away, and +looking at her fixedly out of its large and luminous eyes, a brown cow. +There were several more cows in the field, and this one had come up, and +was gazing inquiringly at her. The motherly creature could not imagine +what desolate and queer young thing this was, up and awake in the middle +of the night. Such creatures as Elma, in the cow's experience, were not +to be seen at these inclement hours. It lashed its long tail slowly from +side to side, and kept gazing at her; and Elma looked at it, and her +nervous terrors grew worse. The cow had horns; suppose it came near, and +tried to horn her. She was not a country girl, and did not understand +country creatures. A bitter cry of abject terror rose from her lips. She +darted past the animal, rushed out by the way she had come into the +field, and found herself once more on the highroad. + +The cow, its curiosity very faintly tickled by the appearance of Elma on +the scene, placidly resumed its feeding, and the terrified girl ran as +if she had wings to her feet up the highroad. + +In after days she was never able to tell how she spent the remainder of +that night; but the longest hours only herald in the dawn, and at last +the sun arose and the worst of her fears were over. The sun warmed her, +and took away the dreadful feeling of chill which she was experiencing. +She wandered about, sitting down now and then, too feeble, too tired, +too utterly depressed to have room even for active fears, and at last +the time came when she might again present herself at the station. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +SUNSHINE AGAIN. + + +When Carrie left her, Kitty Malone was buoyed up with a certain degree +of hope. Carrie had spoken with confidence; she had assured her that her +clothes were worth money. Never before, much as she prized pretty +things, had they seemed so valuable in poor Kitty's eyes. If Carrie +would really keep her word it would be possible for Kitty to send Laurie +the money which he wanted that evening. Could she do this her worst +anxieties would be laid to rest, and she felt that it would be even +possible for her to try to be good once more. As things were at present, +she cared nothing at all about being either good or bad. Every thought +of her mind was fixed upon Laurie; if he were saved she would be good; +if not--if he indeed, the darling of her heart, went to the +dogs--nothing mattered. + +Kitty was too restless and miserable to go down to the rest of the +family. She walked up and down, up and down her bedroom, watching and +longing for Carrie. Now and then she would rush to the window, putting +out her head and shoulders and half her body, to watch if by any chance +Carrie might be coming up the street. That red-faced, fat, +uninteresting-looking young woman now represented all Kitty's hopes. + +When darkness set in, however, when the hours first struck nine and +then ten, poor Kitty gradually saw the last star in her firmament +expire. "Without doubt Carrie had failed to pawn the things. + +"And I thought them so good," whispered Kitty to herself. "Aunt Bridget +would be sure to choose nice and expensive things. Perhaps they were too +good for the people who come to the pawnbroker for their clothes. That +must be the reason; but I wonder Carrie did not come back to tell me." + +Presently Alice bustled into the room, and, opening the door of the +large wardrobe which the girls shared between them, began to make active +search for a neat little jacket which she wanted to put on. She was +going out for the evening, and wished to wear it when she was returning +home. Search as she would, however, she could not find it, and presently +turned to ask Kitty if she had seen it. + +"Dear me, no," answered Kitty, starting and blushing. "Is it not in the +wardrobe?" + +"No," replied Alice. "And I remember I hung it on this peg. Where can it +possibly have disappeared to? Don't you know anything about it, Kitty? +By the way, how wonderfully empty the wardrobe looks! Have you been +putting your clothes back into your boxes?" + +Kitty, who had been standing in the middle of the room looking the very +picture of despair, now burst into a hearty peal of laughter. + +"What are you laughing about?" asked Alice. + +"I am awfully afraid it has happened," she cried. + +"What do you mean?" + +"Why, that your jacket has gone to the pawn." + +"Kitty!" cried Alice, looking at the Irish girl in some alarm, "have you +gone mad?" + +"No, Alice; but I am dreadfully afraid all the same that it has +happened; indeed, there can be no doubt of it." + +Kitty laughed again. She often cried when she laughed and now the tears +ran down her cheeks. + +"Well, this is too funny!" she gasped between her paroxysms of mirth. + +"I don't think it funny at all. I think you must have taken leave of +your senses. Kitty, please, explain yourself." + +"I will try to, Alice. Oh, don't frown at me so horribly, or I shall go +off into fits of laughter again. This is the simple truth. I wanted +money very, very badly. I could not get it, and Carrie Lewis--" + +"Carrie Lewis? Who is she?" asked Alice. + +"Oh, don't be so ridiculous, Alice. Of course you know who Carrie Lewis +is. She is Elma's sister. She came here to-day." + +"How very interesting! What a nice set of people you seem to be getting +to know! I wasn't aware that you were acquainted with any of the Lewises +except Elma." + +"Well, I am acquainted with Carrie now, and I rather like her. She is +great fun, much more fun than you are. She is vulgar, of course; but +really that does not matter. She called to see me, and as I happened to +want money she suggested pawning some of my things for me. I conclude +she took your jacket by mistake with the rest." + +Alice was so stunned absolutely by this news that no words would come +to her. She stared at Kitty, her face growing whiter and more +wooden-looking each moment. Then, without vouchsafing a syllable of +reply, she left the room, banging the door behind her. + +"There, I have given her a good settler," thought Kitty; and for a +moment the feeling that Alice was as uncomfortable as she was herself +gave her a certain sense of satisfaction. + +The last post brought a letter from Laurie. It was brief, and was +written in frantic hurry and despair. + +"My dear Kitty," wrote the boy, "what has come to you? I am looking for +a letter by every post, but none arrives. I shall not be able to give +Wheel-about the money I promised him on Saturday, and I know he will not +keep my secret any longer. When father hears it, all is up. If I don't +receive that money by Saturday morning I shall run away to +sea.--LAURIE." + +The letter fluttered from poor Kitty's fingers to the floor. She felt +stunned; there was a cold weight now at her heart, which made it almost +impossible for her to move or even think. If Laurie did not get the +money by Saturday morning he would run away to sea. This was Thursday +evening. There was still time, just time, to save him. Oh, if only +Carrie would come! How dreadful, how terrible of her to fail Kitty at +such a moment as this! Laurie was just the sort of boy to do what he +said. The longing to go to sea had been one of the innermost cravings of +his heart for many years. If he did so, the squire would never forgive +him. His career would be ruined. Bad and awful as an English school in +Kitty's opinion would be, the fate which he now had mapped out for +himself would be much worse. The cruel, cruel sea might even drown him. +Kitty might never behold her Laurie again. He was the joy of her heart +and the light of her eyes. She uttered a piercing cry, and fell down +half-fainting by her bedside. She lay so for the greater part of an +hour, then struggling to her feet got into bed without undressing, and +pulled the bedclothes well over her head. + +When Alice came in very late that evening she thought that Kitty was +asleep, and did not disturb her; but all during the long hours of that +miserable night poor Kitty lay awake, her heart beating loud, terrible +visions passing before her eyes. Toward morning she fell into a troubled +sleep, to awake again quite early. Her head ached badly, her pulses beat +too quickly; she could not stand her hot bed any longer. Springing up, +she went into the bathroom, turned on the cold water, and refreshed +herself with a bath. She felt really desperate and quite impervious to +all ideas of discipline. She made up her mind to go to the Lewises, +knock up Carrie, and demand an account of the property which she had +confided to her on the previous day. Even still there was just--just +time to save Laurie, for if she could catch the early post he would +receive his money on Saturday morning. + +Kitty found herself at Constantino Road between seven and eight o'clock. +The blinds of Carrie's bedroom window were still down, for the Lewises +were not early risers. Maggie however, was up, and when Kitty rang the +bell she opened the door for her. + +"Miss Malone!" she cried. + +"I want to see Miss Carrie at once," cried Kitty. "Is she up, Maggie?" + +"Not she, miss. She's sound asleep and in bed. But I'll run up and tell +her that you are here. Please come into the dining-room, Miss Malone." + +Maggie threw open the door of this by-no-means luxurious apartment, and +then ran upstairs to inform Carrie of Kitty's unexpected arrival. + +"Now, what can be up?" thought Carrie. "Surely she is satisfied. I did +very well for her." + +She dressed herself hastily, and in five minutes was standing by Kitty's +side. + +"What is it?" she asked. "Are you not pleased? Elma took you the money, +did she not? She must have stayed with one of the Middleton School girls +for the night, for she never returned home; but she took you the money. +I thought I did very well by you. Were you not satisfied?" + +"She took me the money?" cried Kitty, turning pale. "No; that she did +not. I never had any money. What do you mean, Carrie?" + +"What I say," answered Carrie. "Oh, do sit down, Kitty; you look quite +ghastly. I gave Elma ten pounds seven shillings and twopence to give you +I got eleven guineas for your things, including the watch and chain. +After I deducted my ten per cent., the balance for you was ten pounds +seven and twopence. I thought you would be delighted. Did she not take +you the money early yesterday evening?" + +"No. I have never seen her." + +"But she left here quite early on purpose. She said she was going +straight to your house. I sent you plenty of money, did I not?" + +"How much did you say?" asked Kitty, putting her hand up to her forehead +in a distracted way. + +"Ten pounds seven and twopence. You only really wanted eight pounds, did +you not?" + +"I had a little money of my own, and eight pounds would have done," said +Kitty in a low voice; "but----" + +Here she sprang forward and gripped Carrie by the arm. "What does it +mean, Carrie--what does it mean? Elma never came near me; I never, never +saw her last night." + +"You never saw her? Elma never went to you?" + +"No, never. Do you think I would tell an untruth? I never saw her, not +since early school yesterday. Oh, Carrie, tell me what it means?" + +"I cannot. I must say it looks very queer," said Carrie. She frowned, +turned her back partly upon Kitty, and supporting her fat chin on one of +her dimpled hands, began to think deeply. The more she thought the less +she liked the aspect of affairs. + +"Carrie, what does it mean?" cried Kitty, reiterating her words in a +kind of frenzy of agitation. + +"Oh, stop talking to me for a minute, Kitty! I must think this out." + +Carrie walked to the window, pulled up the blinds, threw the sash up, +and allowed the fresh morning air to blow upon her hot face. After a +time she turned round and faced Kitty. + +"You may well look pale," she said. "I confess I am as bewildered as you +are yourself. Of course Elma may have been taken ill--she had a +dreadful shock yesterday." + +"How?" + +"You are silly to talk like that. Don't you know?" + +"You mean because I told about her?" + +"Well, it turned out very badly, as badly as possible. You did tell, and +when you did so you ruined her. If you had only kept that precious story +to yourself, even for twenty-four hours, little Elma would have been +made--made for life; but you ruined her." + +"Oh do please tell me what you mean! My head is going round in a whirl; +I can scarcely follow you." + +"You can pull yourself together if you like. This is what happened. I +told you, did I not, yesterday, that Aunt Charlotte pays Elma's fees at +Middleton School?" + +"I think so, but I don't quite remember." + +"That is so like you. I always said you were selfish." + +"Think what you like, Carrie; but please tell me everything." + +"Oh, I'm quite willing. This is the story. Aunt Charlotte came here +yesterday. She had heard of a splendid school in Germany, where Elma was +to be sent as pupil-teacher. She wanted Elma to leave Middleton School +at once, as she had found an escort to take her to Germany; but before +Elma could be admitted into this new school it was necessary for her to +have a certificate from Miss Sherrard. Now you see daylight, don't you? +My aunt, Mrs. Steward, went to see Miss Sherrard, taking Elma with her. +Elma did not know that you had put a match to the mine, and of course +Aunt Charlotte knew nothing about it. When Miss Sherrard was asked to +give Elma a certificate for conduct, she refused point-blank. Of course +the mine exploded. Elma was called in, and all your nice, miserable +story told to Aunt Charlotte. Elma is to be publicly exposed at +Middleton School to-day; and Aunt Charlotte has washed her hands of her +forever. There! that's what you have done. We have much to thank you +for, have we not?" + +Kitty's face had grown whiter and whiter. + +"You blame me very much for what I am not to be blamed for," she said +after a pause. + +"That's what you think. You're an Irish girl, and you think nothing of a +promise. You promised Elma you would not tell. You lent her the money, +and you promised you would not tell about it. You broke your promise, +and you have ruined her for life. There! that's what has happened. I +wish you joy of the nice state your conscience must be in." + +"You are very bitter to me, Carrie; but you cannot quite see my side of +the question. I would not have told about Elma if Elma had been in the +least true to me, but she was not, not a bit. All the same, I am +terribly, terribly sorry for her. I would not have got her into this +scrape if I had known." + +"Ay, you had no thought, you see. You just blurted out everything." + +"I am very miserable," said poor Kitty. She clasped her trembling hands +together, and tears slowly welled into her beautiful dark-blue eyes. +Carrie watched her with anxiety. + +"There, now I like you," she said, after a pause "You look awfully +pretty with those tears in your eyes, and----" + +"Pretty, do I?" said Kitty. For a moment a pleased smile flitted across +her face, but then it faded; the present anxiety was too intense for her +to give much thought to her personal appearance. + +"Where can Elma be?" she said. + +"Ah, that's the dreadful part. I don't know. She went out of the house +with your money. She evidently never took it to you. I am sure I cannot +think what has happened to her." + +"And my money is gone?" said Kitty. + +"So it seems--that is, unless we can find Elma. It is all very dreadful, +very horrible. I suppose the plain English of the matter is this"--here +Carrie gulped something down in her throat--"that she--she stole your +money and has run away with it." + +"Carrie, you cannot think so!" + +"It is what I have to think," answered Carrie. "It is a mighty +unpalatable truth, I can tell you. I suppose, now, your next step will +be to prosecute her to send the police after her, and have her locked +up. Then you will ruin me too, for Sam Raynes--not that he is +overparticular, nor that he cares twopence about refinement, or anything +of that sort--would not care to marry a girl whose--whose sister was put +in prison. That's your next step isn't it, Kitty Malone?" + +"I won't stop to listen to you," said Kitty; "you are too terrible." + +She ran to the door, opened it, and the next moment found herself in +the street. She walked fast, ugly words repeating themselves in her +ears. Carrie had been very blunt, and had given the petted, half-spoiled +girl some home truths to think about. Had she really been unkind in +telling about Elma? Oh, what was right and what was wrong? What was the +matter? Could she ever, ever, in the whole course of her existence, have +a light heart again? She walked up the street, little caring what she +was doing or where she was going. At the next corner she came plump upon +Elma herself, who was coming slowly, very slowly in the direction of +Constantine Road. When she saw her, poor Kitty gave a sudden shout. + +"Oh, Elma!" she said, "how glad I am--how glad I am!" + +"What do you mean?" said Elma. Her voice was faint. + +"I thought I might never see you again. I thought--I don't know what I +thought--but you have come back." + +"I ran away, and I have come back again," said Elma. "You can punish me +if you like, Kitty; things can never be much worse than they are." Here +she staggered, and would have fallen had not Kitty held her up. + +"How dreadfully bad you look! But oh, the relief of seeing you again!" +said Kitty. "Where have you been? What have you done?" + +"I scarcely know what I have done, or where I have been. I have a noise +in my head, a queer noise. My head aches so badly it seems as if it +would never leave off again. I am going to school, and they are going +to expose me. It was all because you told, Kitty. And here is nearly +all your money." Elm a put her hand into her pocket. "I must tell you +everything, Kitty; for nothing really matters now. I meant to take that +money. I meant to steal it all, but when it came to the point I found I +could not. Here is most of it back. I spent three shillings on my fare +to Saltbury and back, and sixpence on tea last night. That leaves ten +pounds three and eightpence. Here, count it, won't you, Kitty? Take it +in your hand. Here are the ten sovereigns, and the three shillings, and +the sixpence and twopence. Have you got them all right? I must owe you +the balance, but I'll pay you soon--soon." + +Elma's voice sounded weaker and weaker. Kitty clasped the money; her +small fingers closed over it, her eyes grew bright, a flaming color rose +into each of her cheeks, and it was as if new life was put into her. + +"How bad you look!" she cried; "but oh, how happy I am to have this +money! Never mind for a moment what you meant to do; I have it now, and +I forgive you with my whole heart. Let us go straight to the nearest +post office. I must get a postal order lor eight pounds immediately. +Come, Elma, come." + +"But what do you mean? Why should I go with you?" + +"Because you must--because I am not going to part with you--not yet. +Come, come at once. Oh, how dead tired you look! You are not to go back +to that dreadful little house of yours--not yet. Here is a nice-looking +restaurant. You just go straight in, and I'll go on to the post office +and send off the postal order to the dear old boy. He is saved now, and +I am saved; nothing--nothing else matters. Dear Elma, of course I +forgive you; pray don't look so miserable. I felt fit to die five +minutes ago, but now I am as well and jolly as possible. Here, Elma, +come into the restaurant and wait." + +Kitty had clutched hold of Elma's arm, and now she dragged her into a +large, bright-looking restaurant, which they were just passing. The next +moment Elma found herself seated by a small marble table. Kitty was +ordering tea or something, Elma could not quite make out what, nor did +she care. Everything was dreamy and unreal to her. + +"I'll be back in a minute, Elma," cried Kitty. Her flashing eyes smiled +as they glanced at Elma. Elma tried to smile back, but could not. The +next moment Kitty was out of the place. She was back again in less than +a quarter of an hour. + +"I have done it," she cried, "and my heart is as light as a feather. I +have sent off the postal order to Laurie; he will be saved now. Oh, it +is so comforting; and we have a little over two pounds for ourselves." + +"For ourselves--what do you mean?" said Elma. + +"Why, of course, we'll divide it and have a jolly time. Aren't you going +to have your breakfast? I'm as hungry as a hawk." + +As Kitty spoke she poured out a cup of tea, added milk to it, and pushed +it toward Elma. Elma drank it off, and when she had done so the confused +feeling in her head got a little better. Kitty then began to speak in a +low, excited whisper. + +"Let us do something," she said. "Let us do something quite mad and +wild and jolly. We have got out of our scrape." + +"You have; but I am in it up to my neck," said poor Elma. "Oh Kitty, I +am a miserable, wretched girl!" + +"Never mind, you are going to be a jolly girl now, the jolliest girl in +the world. Do you think because I am happy again that I am going to +leave you to all this misery, particularly after that nice blunt, +determined Carrie of yours telling me that it was my fault, and that I +would repent it to my dying day? Look here, Elma, did you say that you +wanted to go back to Middleton School this morning?" + +"I have to. I am to be exposed, you know." + +"Not a bit of it. Neither you nor I will go to that hateful school; let +us run away." + +"Run away? But I have run away and come back again." + +"Let us do it over again." + +"Kitty, what do you mean?" + +"What I say. I have heaps of money; let us get back to Saltbury and enjoy +ourselves, Elma. Why can't we take the next train? No one will prevent +us; no one will guess where we are. We will have a nice time, a really +nice time. Say 'Yes,' Elma, won't you?" + +"But would you really go with me?" + +"Why not? I am the wild Irish girl, and you are the naughty English +girl; let us go off together." + +"Well, it does sound tempting," said Elma, her eyes sparkling. "Kitty, +it is wonderful of you not to give me up." + +"Oh, I am not the sort of girl to give up a friend when she is in +trouble. You have made it right for me, and the sun is shining again, +and I am as happy as the day is long. Elma, you must come." + +"It does sound tempting--I wish my head did not ache so badly." + +"It will be better when you get to the seaside." + +"Perhaps so, and then I need not go to Middleton School." + +"You need never go there again. Oh, don't waste any more time over +breakfast. We can eat when we get to Saltbury. I want to get off before +Alice and Carrie or any of them begin to miss us. Let us go to the +railway station; it is not far off." + +Kitty's eager and impetuous words earned the day, and in a quarter of an +hour's time the girls found themselves speeding away to Saltbury. + +"We have indeed burned our boats now," said Kitty, with a laugh; "we +have both run away. Now they have something really to scold us about; +but never mind. I never felt, more jolly in my life." + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +KITTY "GO-BRAGH" (FOREVER). + + +But Kitty's happiness was very short-lived, for long before they got to +Saltbury Elma was really so ill that she could not hold up her head. +Kitty had never seen such severe illness before. She was not easily +frightened; she had plenty of pluck when a real emergency arose, and she +now determined to do her best for her companion. + +"It is all the worry and the misery she has undergone," thought Kitty to +herself; "but now that my mind is at rest she will see what a good +friend I can be to her." When they got to Saltbury she immediately +ordered a cab, and desired the man to drive her to the nearest hotel. + +"Oh, Kitty!" gasped poor Elma, "they won't take us in, because we have +no luggage, you know." + +"I'll manage it," said Kitty; "no luggage--what does that matter?" + +She followed Elma into the cab, and a few moments later the girls found +themselves at the door of a neat little inn facing the sea. Kitty jumped +out and went straight to the bar. + +"I want a nice, quiet bedroom," she said, "with two beds in it." + +"Certainly, miss," said the woman, glancing into Kitty's bright face. + +"It must be a very quiet room," continued Kitty, "for my companion is +ill; she has a bad headache, and we must send for a doctor immediately." + +"Yes, miss. I'll send the porter out to bring in your luggage." + +"That's the annoying part," said Kitty; "we have no luggage." + +The woman looked dubious, and turned to glance at a man who approached. + +"Two young ladies want a room," she said in a low voice. "One of them is +ill, and--they have no luggage." + +"Then in that case, miss, I am very sorry----" began the man. + +But Kitty interrupted him. + +"Don't say those words," she began. "I know exactly what you are going +to say, but please don't. We have no luggage, for we--we have run away +from school. There now, I have confided in you. Here's father's card. He +will be responsible for us. Please show us to your very best room +immediately." + +As Kitty spoke she took a card out of her sealskin purse and handed it +to the woman. + +"Dennis Malone, Castle Malone, County Donegal," was inscribed on the +small piece of pasteboard. It evidently had a good effect, but a still +greater effect was produced by the sparkling and lovely eyes of the +handsome girl who spoke in a tone of quiet assurance. + +"Father will be so grateful to you for taking us in," she continued. "It +would be terrible, you know, if you allowed us to wander about the +streets. I am going to telegraph to him now, and he will arrive here, I +have no doubt, within the next twenty-four hours. I have not much money +with me," added Kitty frankly, "but father will bring plenty--plenty when +he arrives." + +Again the man and woman whispered together, and now approving and +interesting glances turned in Kitty's direction. The woman presently +said: + +"Very well, miss, we'll do our best for you. Will you follow me, miss?" + +She took Kitty and Elma upstairs and showed them into the best room in +the house. In a very short time poor Elma found herself in bed, with +Kitty bending over her, kissing her now and then, and whispering kind +words in her ears. + +"I have managed beautifully with the people of the hotel," whispered +Kitty. "And now, darling, you'll be made so comfortable. I am going to +make up to you for--for what Carrie said I did." + +"But you did nothing; it was I who was bad, very bad," cried Elma. + +"Oh, don't begin to get remorseful now, while you are ill. Wait, at +least until you are better. I have ordered some fruit and jelly and ice, +and I have asked the landlady--isn't she a dear--to send for the +doctor." + +"It seems like a dream," said Elma. "Is it possible that everything has +changed so completely, and you--you, Kitty Malone--you to whom I have +acted so badly, are good to me?" + +"Yes, yes, I mean to be good to you; but don't begin to fret about your +sins until you are better. Leave unpleasant things alone. Go to sleep, +Elma; go to sleep." + +Kitty went out of the room and stood and reflected for a few moments on +the landing. + +"Here's a state of things," Kitty said to herself; "but on the whole I +rather like it. I knew I should be good in emergencies; I felt that it +was in me. I am afraid poor Elma is going to be downright ill. I suppose +I did wrong to run away--perhaps I did; but I am so relieved about +Laurie that nothing else seems to matter now. I will telegraph +immediately to the dear old dad and ask him to come right away here at +once. When I see him and know that Laurie is really saved, I'll just +tell him everything. Oh, yes, that is the only--only thing to do." + +Kitty went straight to the nearest post office, and in an incredibly +short space of time the following message was being carried across the +wires to Castle Malone: + +"AT THE SIGN OF THE RED DOE, SALTBURY.--You will be surprised, father; +but I have run away from school. I will tell you everything when I see +you. I am here with a sick girl who has also run away. We have very +little money; and I, your Kitty, want you dreadfully. Come to me as +quickly as you can. + +"KITTY MALONE." + +"Bless him," said the girl to herself. "He may be angry for a minute, +but this message will bring him on the wings of the wind. Now that it +has gone off I wonder ought I to let them know at Middleton?" + +Kitty reflected earnestly over this problem. She quickly, however, made +up her mind to keep her secret to herself. + +"A little suspense will be rather good for Alice than otherwise," she +thought; "and although Mr and Mrs. Denvers may be anxious about me, they +can but telegraph to father; and as he will know my address already it +won't put him into a taking. Miss Sherrard too can bear it; and as to +Carrie, I am really sorry for poor old Carrie, and I should not much +mind having her here; but I think until father comes I will look after +Elma my lone self, as they say in Ireland." + +Having made up her mind, Kitty went back to the hotel and asked the +landlady, with whom she was now great friends, to send for the best +doctor in the neighborhood. + +Dr. Marchand arrived in the course of the morning, and pronounced Elma +to be ill, but not alarmingly so. + +"Your young friend is suffering from considerable shock," he said, "and +has evidently also taken a severe cold; but with care and nursing she +will in all probability soon get relief--that is, if the strain from +which she is suffering is taken off her mind." + +"Oh, I think I can manage that," answered Kitty, nodding to the doctor +in a very bright and frank way. Her dark-blue eyes were shining like +stars; the color in her cheeks, the set of her beautiful head on her +lovely neck, the very arrangement of her clothes fairly bewitched that +good man. He had seldom seen such sparkling eyes nor such a beautiful +dimpled mouth. Kitty's manner completely won Dr. Marchand over to her +side, as it had already done the good people at the hotel. + +After getting innumerable directions from the doctor, she went +downstairs to consult with her land lady. + +"Now, Mrs. Stacey," she said, "I must buy lots of things, and I wonder +if you can help me. I have telegraphed to father to come here; but until +he does I have only this much;" here she opened her purse and tumbled +the contents on to the landlady's palm. + +Mrs. Stacey started back in some astonishment. Really this was a very +fascinating young lady; but she had never met anybody quite so--so out +of the common. + +"You can reckon it up if you like," said Kitty; "you will see that it +does not come to two pounds. Now, do you know of a shop that would trust +me--give me credit, I mean--for some things?" + +"What sort of things, miss?" + +"Oh, clothes, and a couple of trunks. You see, we are not respectable +without trunks, are we?" + +"Oh, yes, Miss Malone, you are." + +"But do you know of such a shop? Please think very hard, Mrs. Stacey." + +"Williamson's round the corner will oblige you to any extent, miss, if +you mention my name." + +"Then I'll go there immediately. Thank you; how very nice you are!" said +Kitty. + +"Of course I ought not to be nice to you, miss, for it ain't right--no, +that it ain't--to encourage runaways." + +"When you know our story you will be quite glad you encouraged us," +laughed Kitty. + +"Then perhaps you'll confide in me, miss." + +Kitty colored and thought for a moment. + +"I think father must know it first," she said. "And now I must rush +away to get the things that poor Elma requires." + +During the course of that day it could scarcely be said that Kitty +Malone was without luggage; for two new trunks presently made their +appearance, full to the brim with all sorts of dainty clothing both for +Elma and herself. + +"Elma," she cried, dancing into the sick-room, "I have got two of the +most charming hats you ever laid eyes on. Mine is sweetly becoming to +me, and I am sure yours will suit you equally well; they are both big +white leghorns, with great bunches of black feathers in front. Won't +they look sweet with our new muslin dresses? Mine is pink, but I thought +blue would suit you best. I expect dad to-morrow evening at the latest; +and I am going to meet him at the station in my new hat and dress. There +will be no doubt about his forgiving me when he sees me in them." + +Just then there was a tap at the door, and Kitty, rushing to open it, +found a telegram awaiting her. She tore it open and read the following +words: + +"Starting from Dublin by the night-boat, with you to-morrow.--DENNIS +MALONE." + +"There, didn't I say he was a darling--the best, best darling in the +world?" cried the excited girl. "Oh, won't he have a _caed mille +afaltha;_ won't he? Elma, I am almost beside myself." + +"I don't know what you are talking about," said Elma. "What do you mean +by those queer words?" + +"_Caed mille afaltha_? Oh, they are the Irish for a hundred thousand +welcomes. We put them over our arches and everything when people are +coming home. Oh, they don't speak a half nor a quarter of what our +hearts are full of. Oh father, father, the joy--the joy your poor little +Kitty feels at the thought of seeing your darling face again!" + +That night again Kitty lay awake, although Elma slept. Strange thoughts, +strange and new, were coursing through the young girl's brain. +Everything had been a failure, and yet she felt bright and happy and +like her old self once more. + +"It is the thought of seeing father," she said to herself. "I was never +fit for England. England and its ways will never suit me, never, never; +but when I see father I shall be all right. Oh, to think that he is +really coming, and that Laurie is saved! I must, of course, tell father +everything; but he won't be angry with Laurie when I tell him the story +in my own way." + +Accordingly early the next morning Kitty dressed herself in the +fascinating leghorn hat and slipped on the pink muslin dress, and, with +a bunch of roses at her belt, sallied forth to the railway station. She +soon found the right platform, and paced up and down in a fever of +impatience waiting for the train. As she was doing so, flaunting her +pretty little person in a somewhat aggressive way and causing some +prim-looking ladies to gaze at her with anything but approval, a hand +was laid on her arm, and turning she saw, to her amazement, the +extremely indignant faces of Miss Sherrard and Miss Worrick. + +"Well, Kitty, after this!" said Miss Sherrard, + +"Oh, please don't scold me just now!" said Kitty, with a little gasp; +"wait until he comes." + +"Until who comes?" + +"Father. I am expecting him by this train." + +"I am relieved at that," said Miss Sherrard. "I shall have a painful +tale to tell him." + +"So you may, Miss Sherrard. You may tell him everything; but please let +me tell him my story first. You must, you shall; I insist." + +The girl's eyes were flashing; she was trembling all over. Just when her +happiness seemed to be at its height, for Miss Sherrard and Miss Worrick +to appear! + +"Oh, and there's the train!" she cried. "He will be here in a minute; +let me see him first. Oh, the train, is stopping, and there he is; I see +him at the very end; there he is with his white hair and--let me go, let +me go!" + +She rushed from Miss Sherrard's retaining arm and flew up the platform, +and a moment later the owner of the pink dress and leghorn hat was being +clasped tightly, tightly to the breast of the magnificent-looking old +gentleman, almost a king in his way, who had suddenly stepped on to the +platform. + +"Father, you'll protect me--they have come, they have followed me. You +will let me tell you my story first? Father! father! oh, feel how my +heart is beating!" + +"Why, Kitty, asthore; Kitty, Kitty, my own. What is it, Kit? I say, Kit, +what is wrong?" + +"Nothing, nothing now that you have come; but let me tell you my story +first." + +"Your story first--why, of course, Kit." + +"They are there; speak to them; tell them you will see them afterward. +We are staying at the Sign of the Red Doe; tell them that you will see +me first and then you will see them." + +"Introduce me to them, Kitty, and calm yourself. Come, Kitty, come." + +"Yes, father, yes; it is all right." + +Kitty's terrible excitement subsided; leaning on her father's arm, she +approached the platform where Miss Sherrard and Miss Worrick, both +looking rather confused, were standing. + +"This is my father, Miss Sherrard," said Kitty, introducing Dennis +Malone, who took off his hat with a grand sweep. + +"I am relieved to see you," began Miss Sherrard. + +"Pardon me one moment, madam," said Malone; "but Kitty here would like +to tell me her story first. You are her school-mistress, the lady with +whom I have had the pleasure of corresponding?" + +"I am, and I have a very, very painful tale to tell you." + +"You shall tell me your story afterward." + +Here the owner of Castle Malone caught sight of Miss Worrick, and gave +her a bow even more deferential than he had bestowed upon the +head-mistress. + +"I am sorry to put you off even for a few moments, ladies," he said; +"but you see this little girl, she--she must come first. However badly +she has behaved, she--she is my only girl, you understand, and I--I must +hear her story first. Will you meet us both within an hour at the Sign +of the Red Doe? Then everything can be explained." + +"I wonder if that dreadful girl is to go unpunished in the end," said +Miss Worrick to Miss Sherrard, as they both slowly went to the nearest +hotel to wait until the time arranged to meet Kitty and her father at +the Sign of the Red Doe." + +"It seems like it," said Miss Sherrard. "But what a splendid old man! +Perhaps after all it may be the best thing for Kitty Malone not to +punish her, Miss Worrick." + +"Oh, Miss Sherrard! I cannot approve of your very lax opinions. Surely +punishment for such terrible wrong-doing--" + +"Yes, she behaved badly, but not so badly as Elma, I think we must wait +to hear the whole story explained; at present we are more or less in the +dark." + +"And now, Kit, what is it?" said the squire, when he and his daughter +were ensconced in the little sitting-room at the Sign of the Red Doe. + +"Do you mind if I give you one of my real big hugs first?" said Kitty. + +"To be sure not, alanna--oh, acushla macree! it is like flowers in May +to see you again." + +"There! I am better now," said Kitty, after she had bestowed one of her +most violent hugs upon her father. "Let me sit on your knee and I will +tell you everything." + +At the best it was a sad story, a story full of wrong-doing, full of +impulse, full of passion; and although Kitty tried hard to make Elma's +part of it as light as possible, the squire's eyes blazed and a +thundering note came into his voice as he listened. + +"That's a bad girl, Kitty," he cried; "and you ought to have nothing to +do with her." + +"But that's exactly it, father--that's what I am coming to. If you +won't let me have anything to do with Elma, why--why, you must punish me +terribly. I want you to let me--to let me make Elma my real friend." + +"That sort of girl your friend? Not if I know it," said the squire. + +"But, please, father, do let me plead for her. I have done her injury, +and she--she has never had advantages like the rest of us." + +Then Kitty began to coax, and few, very few people could coax like this +Irish girl. Not only with her voice, but with her eyes, with a smile +here and a frown there, she set herself to bring old Squire Malone to +her way of thinking. And as always from the time she was a tiny child +she had been able to twist this old lion round her little finger, so she +twisted him now. + +"You have got to do it, father," she said at last. "You have got to +forgive Laurie, and you have got to forgive Elma, and----" + +"Bless the boy, it was just like his recklessness, Why didn't he come +and tell me? He wasn't afraid of his old father, was he?" + +"Well, father, you know you are very fierce when you like." + +"Tut! tut! Kitty, don't you begin to scold." + +"No; I won't--not if you yield to me. Full and free forgiveness for the +whole three of us; for your Kit----" + +"Bless you, child, I have forgiven you already." + +"Ay, didn't I know it--didn't I say he was a dear old thing? Now, +Laurie--you won't say a word to him?" + +"I'll give him a right good scolding." + +"Why, then, dad, your scolding never did anybody any harm; your bark is +worse than your bite, you know; but there will be no school in England +for him, that's what I mean." + +"Well, it doesn't seem to have succeeded with you, asthore." + +"No more it did. Why, it was breaking the heart in me entirely." + +"So you want to come back with me again?" + +"That I do, and never, never be a polished lady with manners to the +longest day of my life." + +"You want to be Wild Kitty still?" + +"Wild, wild, the wildest of Kittys to the end of the chapter." + +"And what will your aunts say?" + +"Never mind; what you say is the important thing." + +"It shall be as you please, Kit. I am sure I have missed you sore, very +sore." + +"And now, what about Elma?" + +"Yes; what do you want me to do for her?" + +"I want her to come back with me to Castle Malone for the rest of the +summer." + +"Oh, heart alive! child; but I don't think I could take to that sort of +girl." + +"Yes, you will, if I take to her. Now, dad, must I begin it all over +again?" + +"No, no; anything to please you, Kit." + +"And at the end of the summer, as you have plenty of money, and as I am +sure she has repented most bitterly will you send her to Girton?" + +"Oh, come, come; I make no promises." + +"But I know it is all right, and I am going to rush up to her and tell +her everything. Oh, and here come Miss Sherrard and Miss Worrick. You +shall see them without me." + +"I declare, upon my word, Kitty, you are the most extraordinary +creature. How am I to face the good ladies?" + +"Here they are, father. Please, Miss Sherrard, come in; father will see +you, and Miss Worrick too." + +Kitty flung open the door, and the head-mistress of Middleton School and +her subordinate found it closed behind them. They had a short interview +with Squire Malone--very short. It ended by Miss Sherrard and the squire +shaking hands most heartily. + +"You did your best for her, and I am awfully obliged to you," said the +squire. "But, after all, she is too wild for England; she had better +stay in her own land." + +"I believe you are right," said Miss Sherrard. + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Wild Kitty, by L. T. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/9986-8.zip b/9986-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..56c35de --- /dev/null +++ b/9986-8.zip diff --git a/9986.txt b/9986.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9eaa8ca --- /dev/null +++ b/9986.txt @@ -0,0 +1,10672 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Wild Kitty, by L. T. Meade + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Wild Kitty + +Author: L. T. Meade + +Posting Date: November 12, 2011 [EBook #9986] +Release Date: February, 2006 +First Posted: November 5, 2003 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WILD KITTY *** + + + + +Produced by Kevin Handy, Dave Maddock, and the Project +Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + + + + + + + + + +WILD KITTY. + +BY L. T. MEADE + + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER I. Bessie, Alice, Gwin, and Elma + +CHAPTER II. The Blarney Stone + +CHAPTER III. Is that the Girl? + +CHAPTER IV. Tiffs all Round + +CHAPTER V. Incorrigible Kitty + +CHAPTER VI. The Tug-of-War + +CHAPTER VII. Elma + +CHAPTER VIII. The Little House in Constantine Road + +CHAPTER IX. The Head Mistress and the Cabbage-Rose + +CHAPTER X. Paddy Wheel-About + +CHAPTER XI. In Carrie's Bedroom + +CHAPTER XII. The "Spotted Leopard" + +CHAPTER XIII. Coventry + +CHAPTER XIV. The Lost Packet + +CHAPTER XV. Gwin Harley's Scheme + +CHAPTER XVI. Paddy Wheel-About's Old Coat + +CHAPTER XVII. "We Are Both in the Same Boat" + +CHAPTER XVIII. "I Cannot Help You" + +CHAPTER XIX. Kitty Tells the Truth + +CHAPTER XX. An Eye-Opener + +CHAPTER XXI. The Lady from Buckinghamshire + +CHAPTER XXII. Stunned and Cold + +CHAPTER XXIII. Stars and Moon, and God Behind + +CHAPTER XXIV. Sunshine Again + +CHAPTER XXV. Kitty "Go-Bragh" (Forever) + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +BESSIE, ALICE, GWIN, ELMA. + + +Bessie! Bessie! + +"Yes, mother," replied Bessie Challoner. "You'll be late for school, +child, if you are not quick." + +"Bessie!" shouted her father at the top of his voice from below stairs. +"Bessie; late as usual." + +"I am really going, father; I am just ready," was the eager reply. +Bessie caught up her sailor hat, shoved it carelessly over her mass of +thick hair, and searched frantically round her untidy bedroom for the +string bag which contained her schoolbooks. + +"Oh, Bessie, you'll get into a scrape," said Judy, one of her younger +sisters, dancing into the room. "Why, you are late. I hear the +schoolbell ringing; it will stop in a moment." + +"Don't worry me, Judy," cried Bessie. "Do you know where my bag is?" + +Judy ran into the middle of the room, turned round, and began to laugh +ecstatically. "Do you know where it is, you little good-for-nothing? +Have you put it hiding?" + +"Yes, yes, yes," screamed the child, jumping up and down in her joy. + +"Then, if you don't give it to me at once, I'll--" + +But Judy had dodged her and was out of the room. Up to the attic flew +the child, and after her dashed Bessie. The bag was found in the corner +of the linen-cupboard. Bessie aimed a frenzied blow at Judy, who once +again dodged her, then the schoolgirl ran downstairs and was out of the +house. + +"Bessie, for shame!" said her brother, who was standing smoking his +cigarette in a very lazy manner in the garden. "Why, you'll never get +full marks." + +"Don't," said Bessie. "I feel quite hunted between you all." + +She had got on the highroad now, and could walk away in peace. She was a +tall girl, somewhat bony-looking at present, with a face which showed +abundance of intellect, large dreamy eyes, a wide mouth, a flat nose, a +long chin. Bessie was certainly not at all a pretty girl; but, +notwithstanding this fact, there were few of all the pupils at Middleton +School who approached her in popularity. She was clever without being a +scrap conceited, and was extremely good-natured, doing her work for the +pleasure of doing it and not because she wanted to outstrip a +schoolfellow. She was conscientious too, and would have scorned to do a +mean or shabby thing; but she was hopelessly untidy, careless to a +fault, late for school half her days, getting into countless scrapes and +getting out of them as best she could--the butt of her class as well as +the favorite, always true to herself and indifferent to the censures or +the praise of her fellow-creatures. + +"Well, Bess, is that you? Do wait for me," called out a panting voice +in the distance. + +Late as she was, Bessie stopped. It was never her way to leave a +fellow-creature in the lurch. + +A girl with dancing eyes and rosy cheeks came panting and puffing round +the corner. + +"I just caught a sight of the red ribbon with which you tie your hair," +she said. "I am so glad you are late; I am too, and I am quite ashamed +of myself." + +"Why in the world should you be ashamed of yourself, Alice?" asked +Bessie. "I don't suppose you meant to be late." + +"Of course not; but I shall lose my mark for punctuality; and you know, +Bessie, I am feverishly anxious to get a move, and to--to win the +scholarship at the midsummer break-up." + +Bessie yawned slightly. + +"Come on, Alice," she said; "I am disgracefully late as usual, and we +need not make matters worse. I suppose we must wait in the hall now +until prayers are over." + +"It's too bad," said Alice. "I'll tell you afterward how it happened, +Bessie. I am glad you waited for me. They always scold you so much for +being late that they will not take so much notice of me. May I slip into +my place in form behind you?" + +"If you like," said, Bessie. + +They entered the great schoolhouse, turned down a long corridor, +deposited their hats and jackets on the pegs provided for the purpose, +and went into the schoolroom just when the pupils were filing into their +different classes. + +Both girls had marks against their names for unpunctuality. Alice +frowned and fidgeted, turned scarlet, glanced nervously at her +fellow-pupils, but Bessie took the matter with her wonted calm. Soon she +forgot all about it. She became absorbed in her different studies, each +one of which she had prepared with extreme attention. As she answered +question after question her great, full, dreamy eyes seemed to lighten +with hidden fire, her face lost its plainness, the intellect in it +transformed it. One or two other girls in the class watched her with a +slight degree of envy. + +Bessie was very high up in the school. As usual she quickly rose to the +head of the form; this position she kept without the slightest +difficulty during lesson after lesson. + +Alice, muddled already by that mark for unpunctuality, got through her +work badly; as Bessie rose in the class Alice went down. At the end of +the morning's work the two girls were far as the poles asunder. + +"I can't think how you do it," said Alice, coming up to Bessie during +recess, and linking her hand through her arm. "You never seem to mind +disgrace at all." + +"Of course I mind disgrace," answered Bessie. "Come out into the +playground, won't you Alice? We can't talk in here." + +They went out and began pacing up and down the wide quadrangle devoted +to the purpose. Other girls passed them two and two, each girl talking +to her special companion. + +"How very handsome Gwin Harley looks this morning," said Alice, pausing +in her grumbling to gaze at a slender and lovely girl who passed them, +walking with another dark-eyed, somewhat plain girl of the name of Elma +Lewis. + +"I wish she was not such friends with Elma," said Bessie. "I like Gwin +very much indeed; I suppose every one in the school does." + +"Catch Elma not making up to her," said Alice. "Why, you know Gwin is as +rich as ever she can be; she has a pony-carriage of her own. I cannot +make out why she comes to Middleton School." + +"Because it is the best school in the neighborhood," said Bessie +somewhat proudly. "It is not a question of money, nor of anything but +simply of learning; we learn better at Middleton School than anywhere +else; there are better teachers and--" + +"But such a rum lot of girls," said Alice. "Of course we all go in sets, +and our set is quite the nicest in the school; but all the same, I +wonder a rich man like Mr. Harley allows Gwin to come here." + +Gwin and Elma drew up at that moment in front of the other two. + +"Bessie," said Gwin, "I saw you carrying everything before you this +morning. But," she added hastily, "that is neither here nor there. I +shall never be a great learned genius like you, but I shall admire +geniuses all the same. Now, I want to say that Elma is coming to tea +with me this afternoon, and will you both come as well? We have a good +deal to talk over." + +Bessie's face lightened. + +"I should like it very much indeed," she said; "but you know I must get +through my studies first." + +"Oh, you won't take long over them." + +"Yes, but I shall," answered Bessie; "there is a very stiff piece of +German to translate this afternoon. I can manage French and mathematics +of course, and--" + +"Oh, don't begin to rehearse your different studies," said Gwin, holding +up her hand in a warning attitude. "I don't care in the least what you +learn, Bessie; I want you to come. Because," she added, "you are such an +honest creature." + +"Why should not I be honest?" said Bessie, opening her eyes wide. "I +have never had any temptation to be anything else." + +"My dear Bessie, you are too painfully matter-of-fact," said Elma. "Gwin +meant that your nature is transparent--it is a beautiful trait in any +character." + +"Well, Bessie, will you come or will you not?" interrupted Gwin. + +"Yes, I'll come. I'll manage it somehow," said Bessie. I can't resist +the temptation." + +"And you too, Alice?" said Gwin, turning to Alice Denvers, who was +watching Bessie with envious eyes. + +"I don't suppose mother will let me. I am ever so vexed," said Alice. + +"But why not, dear; you have nothing special to do to-day?" + +"Well, I had a bad mark for unpunctuality, and--" + +"What does that signify?" + +"But listen; I have gone down several places in class. Father and mother +are so particular; they seem to think my whole future life depends upon +my position in school. Of course I know we are not very rich, like +you--" Here she flushed and hesitated. + +Gwin Harley flushed also. + +"When you talk like that," she said, "I feel quite ashamed of being well +off. I often long to be poor like--like dear little Elma here." As she +spoke she patted her somewhat squat little companion on her arm. "But +never mind, girls; I am not one of those who intend to throw away all my +money; that is one reason why I want to have a good talk this afternoon. +You must come, Alice; you simply must." + +"But there is another reason," said Alice. "Kitty Malone is coming +to-day." + +"Kitty Malone! Who in the name of fortune is she?" + +"Oh, a wild Irish girl." + +"Truly wild, I should think, with that name. 'Kitty Malone, ohone!' I +seem to hear the refrain somewhere now. Isn't there a song called 'Kitty +Malone'?" + +"There is a song called 'The Widow Malone,'" said Bessie; "don't you +know it? You read all about it in 'Harry Lorrequer.'" + +"But who is Kitty Malone, Alice?" + +"I say a wild Irish girl." + +"And what has she got to do with you?" + +"She is coming to board with us. She is going to join the school, and +mother is to have the charge of her. A precious bore I shall find it." + +"When did you say she was coming?" asked Gwin eagerly. + +"I expect she is at home by now; she was to arrive this morning." + +"Delightful!" said Gwin, clapping her hands, "she shall come too. I want +beyond anything to become acquainted with a real aborigine, and of +course any girl called Kitty Malone hailing from the sister-isle must +belong to that species. Bring the wild Irish girl with you by all means, +Alice; and now, as you have no manner of excuse, I'll say ta-ta for the +present." She kissed her pretty hand lightly to the two girls, and went +on her way, once more accompanied by her faithful satellite, Elma. + +"Isn't she fascinating?" said Alice; "aren't you quite in love with her, +Bessie?" + +"Dear me, no," answered Bessie Challoner. "I never fall in love in that +sort of headlong fashion; but all the same," she added, "I admire Gwin +very much, only I do wish she would not take up with Elma." + +"So do I," said Alice. + +"It was very kind of her to ask us," continued Bessie, "and I for one +shall be delighted to go. I have not the least doubt that in a big house +of that sort they have 'Household Encyclopaedia,' and I want to look up +the article on magnetic iron ore." + +"Oh, what in the world for?" cried Alice. + +"I am interested in magnets, and--but there, Alice why should I worry +you with the sort of things that delight me. I am going, and that is all +right. You will be sure to come too; won't you Alice?" + +"Yes, I must manage it somehow; and as Gwin has asked Kitty Malone it +won't make it quite so difficult. I know mother would not let me leave +Kitty this afternoon, for it is, from the money point of view, a great +thing for us her coming. Her people are quite well off, although they +are Irish. They live in an old castle on the coast of Donegal, and Kitty +has never been out of the country in which she was born. They are paying +mother very well to receive her, and mother is ever so pleased. Of +course it's horrid for me for she will be my companion morning, noon, +and night; we are even to sleep in the same room. It was that that made +me late for school this morning, and got me that horrid, horrid mark for +unpunctuality." + +"But why? I don't understand," said Bessie. + +"Well, you see, I put it off until the last minute. I know it was all my +fault; but I would not empty the cupboard in the corner of the room, +although mother told me to do so at intervals for the past week. Well, +mother came in this morning and found it choke full--you know the sort +of thing, full to bursting, so that the door wouldn't shut--and she said +that I should empty it before I went to school. I told her I should be +late, and mother said it was a just punishment for me. Didn't I bless +Kitty Malone! But of course I set to work, and I scrambled out the +things somehow. Of course I am in hot water, and father is so terribly +particular; but I will try and come. Yes, I'll try and come, and I'll +bring Kitty." + +"Very well; if you are going we may as well go together," said Bessie. +"Gwin never mentioned the hour she had tea; but I suppose if we are at +Harley Grove by five o'clock it will do." + +"Yes, I should think so," said Alice in a dubious voice. "It is a pity +she did not mention the hour. There she is still hobnobbing with Elma. +I'll just run across the quadrangle and ask her." + +Alice left her companion, obtained the necessary information from Gwin, +and came back again. "She says if we are with her sharp at five it will +do quite well, and we are to stay until nine o'clock, then we can all go +home together." + +"Delicious!" said Bessie. "I love being out late. I hope there will be a +moon, and that there won't be many clouds in the sky, for I want to +examine the position of some of the planets. Did I tell you, Alice, that +Uncle John has a telescope through which I can see the asteroids?" + +"What on earth are they?" cried Alice, yawning as she spoke. + +"Oh, the very small planets." + +"Then, my dear, I hope you will see them. But really, Bessie, I can't +run round nature as you do--your intellect is quite overpowering; one +moment you want to get up information with regard to magnetic iron ore, +and the next you confound me with some awful observation about +asteroids. Good-by, Bessie; good-by. I shall be late for dinner, and +then no chance of going to the fair Gwin's this afternoon." + +"Well, if you do go, call for me," shouted Bessie after her; "I'll wait +for you until half-past four, then I'll start off by myself." + +"Yes, yes, I'll come if I can, and bring Kitty also if I can." + +"Be sure you don't fail. I'll look out for you." + +Alice put wings to her feet and set off running down the dusty road, and +Bessie more soberly returned home. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +THE BLARNEY STONE. + + +Alice's home was nearly half a mile from the school. It was a big, +commonplace suburban house standing at a corner. It had a small garden +in front and a larger one at the back; but neither at front nor back +were the gardens tidily kept. They were downtrodden by the constant +pressure of many feet, and were further ornamented at intervals by sheds +and kennels, for Fred and Philip Denvers were devoted to all sorts of +pets; there was also a rabbit-run at one end, and a little railed-off +place where Mrs. Denvers tried to keep fowls. + +Alice at intervals had sighed for a tennis lawn; but whenever she dared +to mention the idea she was hooted by her big brothers, who did not want +the garden to be made in the least bit, as they expressed it, +ornamental. + +"But tennis isn't ornamental!" said Alice. + +"Beastly game," remarked Fred. "Only meant for girls; just to give them +an opportunity of hobnobbing together, and talking gossip, and making up +mischief." + +"You talk in the most ridiculous, unfair way," said Alice in +indignation; but she did not dare to mention the subject of the tennis +court again, and the boys still continued to build fresh sheds and +introduce new animals. + +On this occasion, as Alice walked up to the house, she was met by Fred, +who ran out to meet her in some excitement. + +"I say, Alice," he cried, "she's come, and she is a rum 'un!" + +"Who has come?" asked Alice; "not--not Kitty Malone?" + +"No one else, at your service, Kitty Malone, ohone!" cried Fred. "And +oh! isn't she Irish! You come along and see her. I never saw anything +like her before." + +"Why, Fred, I didn't think you cared for girls." + +"Nor do I as a rule, but this one--oh! I say she is a jolly sort. Why +she's been down in the kitchen and up in the attics--she knows every one +in the house already; and do you know what she is doing now--sitting in +the drawing-room with the window wide open, grinning down at you, and +she has got Pointer in her arms. You know Pointer, dirty old +fellow!--well, she caught him up the moment she came in, and insisted on +bringing him upstairs, and he has taken to her as if he had known her +ever since he was a puppy. Mean of him, isn't it; but I declare I don't +blame him. Oh! there you are, Kitty Malone." Fred raised his laughing +face to encounter another as laughing, a face at that moment grinning +from ear to ear. + +"Are you Alice?" called a voice. "Are you the one I am to sleep with? +Just say, call out loud; don't mind if you shout, because I'm accustomed +to that sort of thing." + +"Is this Kitty Malone?" thought Alice. She liked frank, jolly girls; +but she was not quite prepared for Kitty. + +She entered the house, flung down her bag of books, and ran upstairs to +the drawing-room. The next moment she found herself in the firm embrace +of a girl a little taller than herself, a slim, very pretty, very +untidy, very overdressed girl. + +"Here I am and welcome to yourself," said Kitty. "I was so vexed you +were not here to greet me; but bless you, my dear, I'm quite +comfortable. No, I'm not a bit tired--you haven't asked me, by the way, +but I suppose you mean to. I had a spiffin' journey. Sick! not I. I'm +never seasick, and I enjoyed the train. I made friends with such a dear +old gentleman and with two boys. I nearly kissed the boys when I was +leaving them, but I didn't quite. Is that you, Fred? Come along in now +and let us be jolly together. Why, Alice, how stiff you are; you have +not opened your lips yet." + +"I have not had an opportunity," answered Alice. "You do talk such a +lot, Kitty." + +"Do I? I expect we all do in Old Ireland. Bless her! she's a dear old +country, and I'm as sorry as anybody to say good-by to her. But, all the +same, I am glad to see England (poky, stiff sort of place it seems). Say +now, Alice, do you like my dress? It was made in Dublin; it's the height +of the fashion I am told." + +"It's very showy," said Alice. + +"Do you think so? Well, you are plainly dressed; nothing but that brown +merino. And--my dear, I thought they were always dressed up to the nines +near London. This place is near London, isn't it?" + +"Yes, a few miles off. Oh, of course your dress is very nice; but now I +must get ready for dinner." + +"Oh! and ain't I peckish?" said Kitty, clapping her hands and winking +broadly at Fred. + +Alice turned to leave the room. + +"We may as well go together," said Kitty, following her and slipping her +hand through her arm. "Do you know," she said, "when I first came to the +house I could scarcely breathe. Why, it's nothing but a nutshell. I +never saw such a deeny dawn of a place in the whole course of my life. +How many of you live here?" + +"Father and mother, and the two boys and I," answered Alice. + +"And you are the only girl?" + +"Yes." + +"Now come to the window and let me have a good squint at you." As Kitty +spoke she dragged Alice forward, put her facing the light, and stood +herself with her back to it. She began to make a careful scrutiny, +calling out her remarks aloud: "Eyes passable, forehead so-so, mouth +pretty well, complexion not bad for England, hair--" + +"Oh, I say, Kitty, I can't quite stand this," said Alice. "Are those +your manners in Ireland? What a wild country it must be!" + +"Dear, darling, jolly old place!" said Kitty, dancing up and down. + +"And you really give me to understand that people make remarks on one +another in that sort of fashion?" said Alice, darting away from her +companion and pouring some water into a basin to wash her hands. + +"Well, yes, love, they do when they like, and they don't when they +don't like. We are free and easy folk, I can tell you, and we have a gay +time. I'll tell you all about father and the old castle, and the dogs, +and the cows, and the cats, and the rabbits, and the mice when we have a +spare moment. That brother of yours, Fred, is not half a bad old chap; +and I saw a nice, curly-headed little gossoon coming in just now with +his books under his arm. What's his name?" + +"Oh, you mean Philip. Yes, he's the youngest; he's well enough if you +don't spoil him, Kitty." + +"I won't spoil him, bless his heart," said Kitty; "but of course I'll +make friends with him. I couldn't live without boys. There are two at +home, Pat and Laurence; and, oh! I shall miss Laurie, dear old chap! I +must not think of him." Kitty's face underwent a swift change, the +brightness went out of it just as if a heavy cloud had swept away the +sun; the big, very handsome dark-blue eyes, so dark as to be almost +black, grew full of sudden tears; the exquisitely curved lips trembled; +she turned her head aside and looked out of the window. + +At that moment it seemed to Alice that she saw beneath Kitty's wild, +eccentric manners a heart of gold. She only caught a glimpse of it, for +the next moment the girl was chatting away in the most light, frivolous, +extraordinary style. The dinner-bell sounded through the house, and the +pair went down to dinner. + +"I'd like to sit near you, please, Mr. Denvers," said Kitty. + +Philip's place was always near his father; this had been a custom ever +since he had been a baby. Kitty now ensconced herself in the little +boy's chair. + +"Am I taking anybody's seat?" she asked, looking up. + +"Only mine," said Phil. + +"Never mind, little gossoon; you shall have it to-morrow. I want to sit +near Mr. Denvers because I expect he can tell me a good many things I +don't understand." + +"You must allow me to eat my dinner, Miss Malone. You see I have a good +deal of carving to do, and besides I am a busy man," said Mr. Denvers in +a good-humored voice, for it was difficult to resist the roguish glances +of Kitty's eyes, and the sort of affectionate way in which she cuddled +up to her host's side. + +"Oh, I won't talk _over_ much," she said, glancing with her flashing +eyes round at the entire party. "But you see I am quite a stranger; and, +oh my! the place does seem lonely. You are all so stiff, I cannot quite +understand it. Is it the English fashion, please, Mr. Denvers?" + +"Well, you see," answered Mrs. Denvers from the other end of the table, +"we don't know you yet." + +"But I am sure all the same we shall be very good friends," said Mr. +Denvers. "May I give you a glass of wine?" + +"Wine! Bless you, I'm a teetotaller," said Kitty. "Why, it isn't habits +of intoxication you'll be putting into me. I never take anything but +water, or milk when I can get it; and it isn't Miss Malone you're going +to call me is it, for if it is I tell you frankly that I'll die +entirely. I must be Kitty from this moment, or Kitty Malone, or anything +of that sort, but Kitty something it must be. Now, is it settled fair +and square, Kitty shall I be? Here's my hand on my heart; I'll die if +I'm called Miss Malone!" + +Fred burst into roars of laughter. + +"I say," he cried, "what an extraordinary girl you are!" + +"Well, and so are you an extraordinary boy," said Kitty. "Oh, dear me, I +am hungry! Do you mind handing me over the potatoes? Why, you don't mean +to say you peel 'em. I never heard of such a thing! Why don't you have +them in their jackets?" + +"Potatoes are generally mashed or peeled or something of that sort in +England," said Mr. Denvers. "I see, Kitty--" he added. + +"Ah! bless you now for calling me that! What is it you want to say, dear +Mr. Denvers?" + +"I see we shall have a good deal to teach you," he said, and then he too +burst into a fit of laughter, and so the merry, somewhat rollicking meal +proceeded. + +Alice alone would not succumb to the fascinations of the Irish maiden. +She sat holding herself somewhat stiff, feeling a good deal disgusted, +wondering what Bessie Challoner would say, what Gwin Harley would think, +anticipating in advance Elma's sneers. + +Kitty, however, subjugated Mr. and Mrs. Denvers and the two boys +completely. As to Pointer, he would not leave her side; as her long, +white, taper fingers touched the top of his grizzled head, he looked at +her with eyes of unutterable love. + +"What have you done to the dog?" said Fred at last. He felt almost +afraid, in his great admiration of the bewitching stranger. + +"Only given him a taste of blarney," was the reply. "Tell me now, Fred, +were you ever in Ireland?" + +"No," answered Fred. + +"Ah! I thought as much. If you had been, and if you had kissed the +Blarney Stone, why then, it's nothing could withstand you." + +"What is the Blarney Stone?" asked Fred. + +"Don't you know that much? Why you are an ignoramus out and out. Well, +I'll tell you. It's a stone on Blarney Castle, set low down in the wall, +five or six feet from the top; and to kiss it, why that is no easy +matter, for you have to be held by your heels and let hang over the +wall; and if you can get some one to hold you tight--very tight, +mind--you slide down and you reach the stone and you kiss it, and from +that moment--oh glory! but you carry everything before you. There's not +a man, a woman, nor a child, no, nor a beastie either, that can resist +you. You bewitch 'em." + +"I have no doubt, Kitty, you kissed the stone," said Mr. Denvers. + +"Why then, it's yes, sir," she answered raising her big eyes and then +dropping them again with an inimitable expression. + +"What a queer little girl you are!" he said. "You are very amusing; but +I think we must tame you a bit." + +"You won't do that, sir. They call me the wild Irish girl at home, and +the wild Irish girl I'll be to the end of the chapter. If it's schooling +I want, why, I'll have it, but taming, no thank you." + +Kitty jumped from her seat and began to dance a sort of improvised Irish +jig about the room. + +"Do you know the jig?" she said, dancing up to Fred as she spoke. + +"No," he answered; "are you trying it on now?" + +"Yes; jump up, my hearty, and I'll teach you in a twinkling. Here, watch +me; point your toes so, turn round--pirouette as we call it. Now, then, +put your hand on your hip, courtesy to me, and come back again. That's +how it's done. Oh, Fred, I'll soon have you as beautiful a broth of a +boy as if you were born in Old Ireland." + +"Fred, my son, it is time for you to go back to college," said his +father. "Kitty, we are very pleased to have you here, and you are a very +amusing girl; but you know life is not all play." + +Kitty pulled a long face. Fred darted a laughing glance at her, and ran +off. Kitty and Alice at last found themselves alone. + +"You're disapproving of me a good bit, aren't you, Alice?" said Kitty, +going up to the other girl and taking both her hands in hers. + +"Well, I think you are very odd," said Alice. + +"And do you want me to be quite sober and tame, and to have all the +spirit knocked out me, alanna?" + +"No; but we don't do exactly as you do in this country." + +"And you think you'll tame me into your cut-and-dry pattern?" + +"I don't know about that. I don't understand you, Kitty." + +"You will after a bit, Alice. It's here I am for sure, and a gray sort +of land it is! Why, the sun doesn't even shine!" + +"Oh, doesn't it," said Alice angrily. "It's ridiculous to talk in that +strain about this country. We have much finer weather than you have in +Ireland." + +"Don't be cross, darling; I mean it metaphorically. You see we live a +gay life over there, we have a joke about everything, and the wit that +runs out of our mouths--why, it's like flashes of lightning. Oh, we have +a good time in the old country, and when you come and stay with me at +Castle Malone you'll say so for yourself. Now, then, what do you want to +do this afternoon?" + +"I must look over my lessons first." + +"Lessons--how many?" + +"A good few. You see of course I want to get on." + +"By the way, Alice," said Mrs. Denvers, who came into the room at that +moment, "I am afraid you had a bad mark for unpunctuality this morning." + +"Yes, mother, that is so." + +"And what is your place in form?" + +"I went down two or three places, mother." + +"I am sorry to hear it; your father will be very much annoyed." + +"I'll try and make up for it to-morrow, mother. And, mother, Gwin Harley +has asked me to go to tea with her this afternoon--may I?" + +"I don't see how you can. There is Kitty Malone." + +"But she has asked Kitty too." + +"What's that?" asked Kitty, bounding forward. "A tea party, bless you?" + +"You have been asked to tea at Harley Grove. Mother, may we go? I think +Kitty would enjoy it." + +"If you are sure you are not too tired, Kitty; you have had a long +journey," said Mrs. Denvers. + +"I'm not a scrap tired," said Kitty. "I'm as gay as a lark and as fresh +as a daisy. I hope it's rather a big swell party, for I have got some +awfully pretty dresses. I want to make myself look smart. You can tell +me how they manage these sort of things in England. I'm all agog to go." + +"Yes, Alice, you may go," said Mrs. Denvers. "But Kitty, my dear, if I +were you I would let them down lightly." + +"What do you mean, dear Mrs. Denvers?" + +"Don't startle them too much. They are not accustomed to such--such +frankness as you are disposed to give." + +"I'll bewitch 'em," said Kitty, beginning again to dance with light +fantastic measure up and down the room. "I'll bewitch 'em one and all. I +have made up my mind. I didn't kiss the Blarney Stone for nothing!" + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +IS THAT THE GIRL? + + +Kitty and Alice went up to their bedroom, where Kitty began to unpack +her trunks and toss her dresses about--they were all new and most of +them were gay. She had scarcely a quiet-looking dress in the entire +collection. + +"What will you do with those?" said Alice, who saw nothing to admire in +the fantastic clothes, and much to condemn. Alice had not the smallest +love for dress, and at this period of her life she considered any pains +taken over clothes a sheer waste of time. + +"But don't you like them?" said Kitty. "I thought girls loved pretty +dress. Aunt Honora says so, and so did Aunt Bridget when she came to see +us at Castle Malone a month ago. When she heard I was going to England +she said: 'Why, then, my dear Kitty, you must titivate up. It will never +do for them to see you not looking as bright as a sunbeam and as gay as +a cricket. It's colors you'll want, Kitty, and rich materials, and +spangles, and jewels, and beads, and all the other fal-lals.' And father +said to Aunt Bridget: + +"'Why then, now, Biddy,' said he, 'you just get what's right for the +child, for she hasn't a notion, and no more have I, what's worn in that +foreign place England.' + +"So Aunt Bridget said: 'A wink's as good as a word,' and I'll dress her +up in dashing style!' So she took the measure of my chest, and the round +of my waist, and the length of my skirt, and she saw how many inches I +wanted in the sleeve, and she said: 'You leave the rest to me, Kitty.' +And of course I did, and in three weeks' time down came a trunk that +would make your eyes shine even to look within it. Oh! wasn't it just +the darling entirely! Here's one of the dresses. Now, what do you think +of that?" + +As Kitty spoke she pulled out a pink nun's-veiling, made up with +innumerable ruffles and frills and laces and embroidery, a really very +pretty dress for quite a gay party, but totally unsuitable for a +schoolgirl of Kitty Malone's age. + +"Why, it's a long dress?" said Alice. "How old are you, Kitty?" + +"It's fifteen I'll be my next birthday, darling. Well, and is there +anything wrong about fifteen? I always thought it was a jewel of an +age." + +"Yes, but this dress is long; why, there's a train to it!" + +"Oh, mercy me! so there is," said Kitty. "To tell you the truth, I never +even tried on the skirt, I was so bamboozled and overexcited with the +others. A train to be sure! Oh, won't I bewitch 'em entirely. Let me try +it on, darling. Have you got a long looking-glass anywhere?" + +"Not in this room," answered Alice; "it is not necessary." + +"Not necessary? Well, now, I should say it's the one thing you ought to +have in every room, a long looking-glass that you can see yourself in +from top to toe. Why, half your elegance is lost if you cannot see how +you look your own self. Is there one in any other room?" + +"In mother's dressing-room, I think." + +"And where's that room situated, my jewel?" asked Kitty. + +"Oh, at the other end of the passage; but really, Kitty--" + +Kitty, however, was off. Alice stayed in her room, too disgusted to +follow her. + +"Something must be done to put a stop to this," she thought. "Of course, +mother won't keep a girl of that sort. Why, she's a regular wild Indian; +I shall be ashamed to take her out this afternoon." + +But at that moment a high voice, accompanied by peals of laughter, was +heard shouting for Alice. + +"Alice, mavourneen, come along this minute! Alice, come quick! quick! +Why, it's enthralling I am! You never saw anything like me before, did +you? Oh, the Blarney Stone, what it has done for me. Come, Alice, come, +come quick!" + +"What can be the matter?" called Mrs. Denvers from downstairs. "Has +anything happened?" + +"Oh, it's only me, dear Mrs. Denvers. Do come up this minute, my dear +ducky woman, and see me. I found a dress with a train to it in my trunk, +a new dress from Dublin, and I'm in it, and beautiful I look. Come up +and see me. I'm gazing at myself in your glass. I never saw anything so +lovely in the whole course of my life." + +Mrs. Denvers and Alice now both appeared upon the scene. Kitty in her +new dress, with a train nearly a foot on the ground, was stepping +backward and forward before the long glass in Mrs. Denvers' wardrobe. +Her eyes were flashing with merriment and delight. Her small arched feet +were dancing a _pas de seul_ in and out of the many flounces which +befrilled the end of the pink dress. + +"Well, do you like it?" called Kitty. "How do you think I look? Did you +ever see anybody more elegant in all your born days? Oh, if only the +dear old dad could see me! I feel as if I must kiss myself." Here she +commenced blowing kisses vigorously at the gay figure reflected in the +glass. + +"Come, Kitty," said Mrs. Denvers, "you are not going out in that dress." + +"And why not, my dear Mrs. Denvers? Why shouldn't I go out and captivate +the natives? That's what a pretty girl is made for." + +"Not in this country," said Mrs. Denvers in a somewhat severe voice. "It +cannot be done; Kitty, you are much too young to wear a dress of that +sort. While you are with me you must expect to be guided by my taste and +wishes." + +"But, dear Mrs. Denvers, Aunt Bridget ordered it." + +"Well, of course, dear, you can wear it at Castle Malone, but not +here--at least, not out of doors. Yes, my child, it is a very pretty +dress; but I do understand what is right for girls to appear in. You +must have something quieter, Kitty." + +"Then come along and choose for me," said Kitty, who was as good-natured +as she was high-spirited and volatile. "Come straight and choose, for +Alice, poor child, is troubled with the sulks." + +"What do you mean?" said Alice indignantly. + +"But isn't it true, darling; you have such a frown between your brows, +and it doesn't improve you. There, cheer up, Alice, honey! Why, it's the +best of friends I want to be with you; but you don't like me, not a bit. +I'll win you yet, Alice, aroon! But at the present moment you're saying +in your heart: 'What a nasty, forward, ill-bred girl that is, and I am +ashamed, that I am, that my schoolfellows should see me with the likes +of her.'" + +"Come, come, Kitty, no more of this," said Mrs. Denvers. "If you are +going out you have no time to lose. Yes, let me see your wardrobe. I +think this dark-blue dress is the best." + +"But you are not expecting me to go out in the open air without a body!" +said Kitty, "and there's nothing but a skirt to this. I suppose I may +wear one of my pretty blouses?" + +"Yes; that skirt and a nice blouse will do. Now then, get ready, both of +you, as quickly as you can. Kitty, remember I expect your things to be +put away tidily." + +"To be sure, ma'am. Why, then, it would be a shame to spoil all these +pretty garments. I'll put them away in a jiffy, and come down looking as +neat as a new pin." + +Alice, who had brushed out her hair, put on a clean collar and a pair of +cuffs, was now standing waiting for her friend. + +"Look here," she said suddenly, "will you be long putting away your +things and dressing?" + +"Not very long, darling; but I must curl my fringe over again." + +"I wish you wouldn't wear a fringe, Kitty; none of the nice girls do at +the school." + +"Is it give up my fringe I would?" answered Kitty. + +"What a show I'd be! Why, look at my forehead, it's too high for the +lines of pure beauty. Now, when the fringe comes down just to here, why, +it's perfect. Aunt Bridget said it was, and she's a rare judge, I can +tell you. She was a beauty in her youth, one of the Dublin beauties; and +you can't go to any city for fairer women than are to be found in +Dublin. I tell you what it is, Alice, I see you are in a flurry to be +off. Can I overtake you?" + +"You can," said Alice suddenly. "You can come to me at Bessie +Challoner's house." + +"Bessie Challoner!--what a pretty name!--Challoner! I like that!" +answered Kitty, looking thoughtful. "And where's her house, aroon? What +part of the neighborhood is it situated in?" + +"Come here to the window and I'll show you. When you leave this house +you turn to the right and walk straight on until you come to Cherry +Lodge--that's the name of the house. Bessie and I will be waiting for +you." + +"Well, then, off you go, and I won't keep you many minutes." + +Alice ran out of the room. She found her mother waiting for her +downstairs. + +"Oh, mother," said Alice, "she's too dreadful." + +"Come now, no whispering about me behind my back," called a gay voice +over the stairs. "I thought it would be something of that sort. That's +not fair--out with your remarks in front of me, and nothing behind." + +"Kitty, Kitty, go back and dress, you incorrigible child!" called Mrs. +Denvers. + +"Mother!" said Alice. + +"My dear Alice," said her mother, "you will soon learn to like that poor +child. She has a great deal that is good in her, and then she is so +pretty." + +"Pretty?" muttered Alice. "Oh, I see you're bewitched like the rest of +them." + +She left the house, feeling more uncomfortable, depressed, and angry +than she had done for several years. + +Mr. Denvers was a lawyer, and made a fairly good income; but his large +family and the education of his boys had strained his resources to such +an extent that he was very glad to accept the liberal sum which Kitty's +father was paying for her. Alice knew all about this, and at first was +more than willing to help her family in every way in her power. She did +not murmur at all when she was asked to give up half of her room to the +Irish girl. She was quite willing to take her under her patronage, to +show her round, to try to get friends for her among her own +schoolfellows--in short, to make her happy. But then Alice had never +pictured any one in the least like Kitty Malone. She had imagined a +somewhat plain, shy, awkward girl, who would lean upon her, who would +give her unbounded affection, and follow her lead in everything. Now, +this sparkling, racy, daring Kitty was by no means to her mind. There +was not the least doubt that Kitty would not be guided by anybody, that +she would never play second fiddle, and there was also a dreadful fear +down deep in poor Alice's heart that she would fascinate her school +fellows instead of disgusting them, and that Alice's own dearest friends +would leave her in favor of the stranger. + +She walked very slowly, therefore, a frown between her brows, discontent +and jealousy in her heart. + +Bessie was waiting for her at the gate. + +"Why, Alice," called out Bessie, "how late you are. We shan't get to +Harley Grove by five o'clock." + +"I can't help being late; it is a blessing you see me now," answered +Alice. "I wonder you waited for me, Bessie." + +"Well, my dear," answered Bessie, "I would much rather walk with you +than take a solitary ramble by myself. I thought," she added, "you were +going to bring that new Irish girl with you. Has she come?" + +"Has she not come?" answered Alice. "Oh, Bessie, Bessie, it is because +of her I am late. Oh, Bessie, she is quite too dreadful." + +"How so?" asked Bessie. + +"She is the most extraordinary, wild, reckless, absolutely unladylike, +vulgar person I ever came across in the whole course of my life." + +"What a lot of adjectives!" laughed Bessie. "I shall be quite curious to +see her; from your description she must be a monster." + +"She is a monster, a human monster," answered Alice; "and the worst of +it is, Bessie, that in some extraordinary way she has fascinated both +father and mother, and even Fred--Fred, who hates girls as a rule; they +are all so taken up with this blessed Kitty Malone that they don't mind +her perfectly savage manners. I can tell you I am quite miserable about +it." + +"Poor Alice," answered Bessie in a sympathetic tone. "I suppose then, +dear, she is not coming with us?" + +"Oh, yes, she is; she is following us. She could not find anything quiet +enough to put on." + +"Quiet enough to put on! What do you mean?" + +"Oh, my dear, her wardrobe is beyond description. She absolutely wanted +to come to poor Gwin's quiet little tea party in a dress fit for a ball, +flounced and frilled and laced and ribboned, and with a train to it, +absolutely a train, although she is not fifteen yet." + +Bessie could not help laughing. "I am sorry she is fond of dress," she +answered; "I can't bear that sort of girl." + +"Oh, you'll positively loathe her, Bessie. I quite pity you at the +thought of having to walk with her this afternoon." + +"My dear Alice, we must make the best of it," answered Bessie, "and I +don't suppose she will quite kill me; she will be amusing at any rate." + +"Amusing enough to those who have not got to live with her day and +night," answered Alice in a very discontented voice. "Oh, and here she +comes," she added; "and, look, she is running and racing down the road +and waving her hands to us. Oh, Bessie, it is intolerable! Don't you +pity me?" + +"What! is that the girl?" cried Bessie. "How very--" + +"How very what?" asked Alice. + +"How very pretty she is!" + +"Pretty," said Alice in a tone of such withering scorn that Bessie could +not help gazing at her friend in astonishment. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +TIFFS ALL AROUND. + + +Kitty's dark-blue skirt was all that was correct and proper; it reached +just to her ankles, and her remarkably small and beautifully-shaped feet +were encased in the neatest possible tan boots. But the blouse of light +pink silk, all bedizened with bunches of ribbons and lappets of lace, +was in Alice's eyes almost as painfully unsuitable as the trained skirt. +Kitty wore a little close-fitting cap of dark-blue velvet on her head. +Her hair, of the softest, cloudiest black, true Irish hair, was piled up +in a thick mass behind; in front it waved and curled round her white +forehead. Kitty was very tall, and, child as she still was in years, had +a more formed figure than most girls of her age. She was drawing on her +tan gloves now, and unfurling a parasol of tussore silk with a heavy +lace fall. + +"I do hope I'm smart enough," she said, panting slightly as she spoke. +"Is this one of your schoolfellows?" + +"Yes; my friend, Miss Challoner." + +"Haven't you got a Christian name?" asked Kitty, staring frankly with +her wide-open eyes at Alice's friend. + +"Bessie is my name," answered Bessie Challoner. + +"Do you mind my calling it to you? I like Challoner awfully, and if I +were to say Challoner without the Miss it might do, but Miss is so +stiff. I hope I may be Kitty to you, and then you won't object to being +Bessie to me." + +"Not a bit," answered Bessie heartily; "but we are a little late, and +had better walk on as fast as we can." + +Gwin Harley lived in a beautiful house about two miles away, and the +girls turned down a path which led across some fields in the direction +of Harley Grove. The time of year was toward the end of May, and the +weather was perfect. + +Kitty, who had been silent for a time, now stood in the middle of the +field, threw both her hands to her sides, let her parasol drop on the +ground, and opened her mouth wide. + +"Have you gone quite mad?" asked Alice in a severe tone. + +"Mad is it?" said Kitty; "not I. I am taking in some of the air." Here +she began to breathe very deeply and with considerable noise. "Why, my +ducky girls, the pair of you, I was fairly suffocated in that bandbox of +a house; now the breeze here is fine and fresh, and I want to fill my +lungs. Is there any objection?" + +"Oh, none I am sure," answered Bessie; "but you really did look most +extraordinary." + +"I am glad no one was passing at the moment," said Alice. "What would +they have thought?" + +"Does it matter what they think?" asked Kitty. "We never mind what +anyone thinks of us in Ireland. Ah, the dear old place; how I pine for +it! There now, my lungs are full, and we can go on again." + +She picked up her parasol and began to stride forward. + +"Isn't she a horror?" whispered Alice to Bessie. + +"Hush!" answered Bessie; "she only does it to amuse us. The thing is to +take very little notice; we'll soon tame her down." + +"Is it taming me you're after?" called back Kitty. "Well, then, you'll +never do that, for I come of a wild lot, and I have always been called +Wild Kitty from the moment I could speak. But there's no harm in me, not +a bit. Now, then, I'll walk as sober as you please. What shall we talk +about?" + +"Is there anything you would like to ask us?" said Bessie. + +"I am sure then, darling, I don't think there is. Wouldn't you like to +ask me some questions? I'm as open as day. I'll lay bare all the +thoughts of my secret soul to the pair of you, if you care to hear +them." + +"I don't know that we do," said Bessie. "You see we have got to make +your acquaintance yet, Kitty." + +"Ah, now it's nice of you to call me Kitty, and that's a very pretty +little voice you have; soft and winning. How is it you say some of those +words? I can't get my tongue round them; but I dare say I will after a +bit." + +"Would you like to know what kind of place we are going to?" asked +Bessie. + +"Oh, I'll wait until I get there," answered Kitty. "I suppose it's like +all other places; there's a house and some girls; and if we are asked to +tea, why we'll get tea, and they'll think me no end of an oddity, and +I'll think them a lot of muffs; but that don't matter. Oh, my dears, if +you only saw Old Ireland, and if you only knew the free life we have +there, and the beautiful air that comes blowing in from the broad +Atlantic. Why, it's smothered I'll be in this queer place. I doubt if +I'll stay long. I'll write to father, and ask him to take me back +again." + +"I would if I were you," said Alice stoutly. + +"Now, what do you mean by that, 'Alice, aroon?'" + +"I mean," said Alice, who had now almost lost control over her temper, +"that if you go on as you have done since you came here, we shall none +of us like you, and I for one shall be delighted when you return to +Ireland." + +As Alice spoke Kitty's charming face suddenly lost its brilliant color; +it became white, and her dark eyes flashed with an angry fire. She stood +perfectly still for a moment, then began to walk on a little faster than +before. + +"You have hurt her, Alice," said Bessie; "you should not have said +that." + +"I don't care; she made me do it; she is intolerable." + +"Still, you had no right to speak as you did; remember she is a +stranger." + +Here Bessie ran after Kitty, and tried to slip her hand through her arm; +but the Irish girl made an impatient movement, and, shrugging her +shoulders, walked on quicker than before. + +"Oh, leave her alone," whispered Alice; "let us talk about things that +interest us. Why should all lives be upset by her? There, she is going +on in front; let us fall back and talk about interesting things. Have +you finished your work yet?" + +"Oh, yes; I had a great deal to do this afternoon. I do hope, Alice, +that Gwin won't mind if I ask her to let me go into the library. I must +take a peep into 'Household Encyclopaedia;' it is such a chance." + +"Oh, I am sure she won't mind," replied Alice. "Gwin is the soul of good +nature. I only dread what she will think." + +"Oh, you need not dread anything," said Kitty, suddenly turning round +and coming back to the girls. "I shan't be here long; don't be afraid." + +"Please, Kitty," said Bessie; "don't mind what Alice said just now, she +was vexed, because we are not quite accustomed to manners like yours. +You will soon get into our ways, you know." + +"Never, never!" cried Kitty. + +"Well, at any rate, don't mind about it now. Do you think you will like +your school life?" + +"No; I shall just hate it." + +"What a pity that will be; but I'm sure you don't know what you are +saying. You are vexed with Alice, and I don't wonder--Alice, you were +very hard on her." + +"Oh, never mind," answered Kitty; "don't ask her to apologize. I can go +home again. I don't want to be with people who have made up their minds +to dislike me. All the folks at home love me, and--" Here tears dropped +from her eyes, splashing down her cheeks in bright round pearls. + +"I didn't mean to vex you," said Alice, who was disconcerted at this +evident grief. "I dare say I shall get accustomed to you after a bit. I +mean I do not really want you to go home." + +Kitty's face underwent a change, rapid as a flash of lightning. + +"If you want to make friends, Alice, it's as right as rain," she cried. +"I know I was vexed, but it is over now; yes it is over. I am willing to +be friends if you are willing." + +"Of course," said Alice; "and I know I ought not to have spoken as I +did; but you do manage to fret me dreadfully. I never saw a girl exactly +like you before." + +"It is all right now you really want to be friends," answered Kitty; +"and I will try to be as dull as you please." Here she paused and seemed +to consider. "There's no use," she continued after a moment; "I mean I +must be myself whatever happens. I must be genuine. Please, Alice, let +me be genuine for a week; if at the end of that time you find me +intolerable, why I'll be off." + +"Don't say anything about that," said Bessie; "everything is quite new +to you, and Alice did speak unkindly; but please, Kitty, don't be angry +if I say something." + +"Oh, no, I won't be angry with you; you're a real duck," cried Kitty. + +"Well, we English girls are not quite accustomed to your sort of way; we +are quieter here and more reserved. Perhaps you had better--" + +"Oh, I know exactly what the end of that pretty little speech is going +to be," said Kitty; "but I cannot. I must be Kitty Malone or nothing. I +was born that way. Why, bless you, it is in our race. Aunt Bridget was +just the same when she was young, and so was Aunt Honora, and even +father; oh, and--and Laurie. If you only saw Laurie and Pat! Oh, I wish +you knew Laurie; if you saw him you would say, 'If there is a broth of a +boy in the world he is one.'" + +The girls had now reached the avenue gates at Harley Lodge, and the +lodge-keeper ran out to open them. A few moments later they found +themselves in sight of the pretty, modern mansion which Mr. Harley had +lately purchased. The door was opened by a butler in very correct +livery, and the young folk were shown into a handsome drawing-room at +the other side of a broad hall. There was no one in the room when they +entered, and Kitty walked straight up to a glass let into the wall, and +began to survey herself with intense satisfaction. She had by this time +forgotten the rebuff which Alice had given her, tears had only added to +the brightness of her eyes, and her momentary fit of vexation and temper +had deepened the color in her blooming cheeks. She nodded to herself +with smiles of intense satisfaction, pushed her velvet cap in a slightly +more coquettish way over her mass of black curls, and began once again +to dance a very graceful _pas de seul_ in front of the glass. + +"I do think I have nice feet," she said; and just at that moment the +door was opened, and Gwin Harley and Elma Lewis entered the room. + +Gwin, statuesque, graceful, dressed in the most suitable manner, made a +perfect contrast to poor, excitable Kitty. Kitty's words had been +plainly audible, and Alice flushed deeply with vexation. + +"Why, then, I had better introduce myself," said Kitty, who was by no +means abashed. "Are you Miss Harley? You have got a very nice looking +glass, let me tell you; it shows off the figure to perfection." + +Gwin could not help coloring in surprise and astonishment. + +"I am Kitty Malone, at your service," continued Kitty. "Shall I drop you +a courtesy in the true Irish way? Some of us bob like this--so, and some +of us step back like this," here Kitty performed a very elaborate and +very graceful courtesy, then stood upright, and laughing heartily, +showed rows of pearly teeth. Gwin held out her hand. + +"May I introduce my friend, Elma Lewis? Elma, this is Miss Malone." + +"Kitty Malone. I won't be called Miss Malone," said the incorrigible +Kitty. + +"Won't you all come upstairs now, girls?" said Gwin, who perceived that +both Alice and Bessie were annoyed by Kitty's manners. + +"If we take off our things we can go into the library and have a good +game before tea, or would you prefer a walk?" + +"Well, I for one am tired," said Kitty. "The fact is," she continued, +these boots are somewhat tight. They're awfully becoming, you know, +aren't they? but they do squeeze a little just across the toes; how +ever, as Aunt Honora says, 'Pride feels no pain,' and I am desperate +proud of my feet. Shall we all look at our feet, and see which has got +the prettiest pair?" + +"I don't think we will just at present," said Gwin. "If you are tired +you must take your boots off. Have you not just come from Ireland?" + +"Bless you, yes," answered Kitty; "I only arrived to-day. The place is +as new to me as it can be. Up to the present I don't think much of it, +although you have got a lovely house, Miss Harley--fine and airy with +plenty of big rooms. I suppose you have got money _galore_; have you?" + +"I believe we have," said Gwin in some astonishment, and a haughty note +coming into her voice. + +"Ah, now, don't begin to be proud and stiff!" exclaimed Kitty. "It is +quite wonderful; every one I speak to here seems to take me the wrong +way. What in the world do you all mean? I thought when I came to England +that people would say, 'Well, now, that's a remarkably pretty girl. I am +sure she's Irish by the twinkle in her eye and the roll of the brogue in +her voice; but we'll like her all the better for that.' But, bless my +heart! that's not the way you're taking me. Every time I open my lips +somebody seems to think I have said something wrong. Upon my word it's a +nice state of things, and I, the darling of my old father. If Aunt +Honora and Aunt Bridget were here they would soon put matters straight; +and Laurie, dear, darling, old Laurie, if he saw his Kitty put upon, +wouldn't he give it to you all?" + +"We none of us want to put upon you, Miss Malone," said Gwin Harley. + +"_Miss_ Malone!" + +"Yes," said Gwin firmly, "it is the custom here to call girls by their +surnames for a little until we get to know them; but I am sure," she +added kindly, "you will soon be Kitty with us all, for I see you are +very nice, although you have not quite our ways." + +"Ah, there, that is all I want you to say," answered Kitty with a +profound sigh, "and now I'll go upstairs and slip off my bits of boots, +for they are a trifle tight. Can you lend me a pair of your shoes, Miss +Harley?" + +"Yes, with pleasure," replied Gwin, and turning, she led the way out of +the room. The rest of the evening passed off better. Kitty became a +little subdued, and satisfied herself with talking less, and casting +ravishing glances of delight and roguish entreaty first at one girl and +then at the other. It was extremely difficult to withstand her, for her +voice was low and singularly sweet, her eyes were beautiful, she could +not do an ungraceful thing, she was altogether like a bright, flashing +meteor, and soon she began to exercise an extraordinary fascination both +over Bessie Challoner and Gwin Harley. Having got over her first +astonishment, Gwin began to take a sincere interest in the pretty +stranger. The lovely expression of her coral lips made her long to kiss +them, and to assure the Irish girl that she for one would be her friend; +but the next instant Kitty said something so very much against the grain +that Gwin felt as much repulsed as a moment before she was delighted. + +Immediately after tea Bessie went off to the library to hunt up her +darling "Encyclopaedia." + +"Now that she has gone," exclaimed Gwin, "we are not likely to get her +back for some time. What a remarkably earnest student she is!" + +"The Earnest Student?" interrupted Kitty. "I thought that was the name +of a religious book. I think father has got it at home." + +"Perhaps so," replied Gwin, "but we always call it to Bessie. She is +wonderfully clever. She gets on splendidly at school, taking everything +before her. I am certain she is the kind of girl who will make her mark +by and by." + +"I hate studies!" said Kitty in her low, humorous voice. + +"I am sorry for that," answered Gwin, "for if you come to school you +won't be at all popular if you do not care for your books." + +"Popular? How do you mean? Is it with the teachers or with the girls?" + +"Well, with both I fancy." + +"Then, I tell you what," exclaimed Kitty, "I'd like to bet with you that +you are wrong--that I'll be the most popular girl in the whole of the +school with the teachers--yes, with the teachers--and the scholars as +well." + +"You must be very conceited," exclaimed Elma, who had sat silent during +the greater part of the evening, taking Kitty in, however, all the same. + +"Conceited? No more than you are," cried Kitty, "but I know my powers, +and I have not kissed the Blarney Stone for nothing." + +"Oh, you need not tell us that ridiculous story over again," said Alice. + +"But I should like to hear it," cried Gwin. + +"You really would not Gwin; it is too absurd. We must show Kitty, now +she has come to live among us, what is real wit and what is not. Her +way of talking is only silly." + +Gwin knit her brows, and looked pained. + +"I would rather not correct her now," she said in a gentle voice. Then +she added, her eyes sparkling with sudden eagerness, "Would it not be a +good opportunity for talking over the rules of our society, girls?" + +"Oh yes," cried Elma, "yes; but is it well to----" + +Here she bent forward, and began to whisper vigorously in Gwin's ear. + +"Yes, I think so," answered Gwin. + +"I wouldn't, I really wouldn't," said Elma. "I am certain Alice agrees +with me." + +"I can guess what you are saying," cried Alice, "and I do agree most +heartily." + +"And I can guess what you are saying," exclaimed Kitty, starting to her +feet with flashing eyes. "You don't want to talk about your society or +whatever it is because I am present. Well, discuss it without me. I'll +find my way to the library. Poor dear Bessie is the only decent one +among you, and I shall go and sit with her. How do you know I won't take +up with literature just to spite you all? I can do anything I have a +mind to, and that you will soon find to your cost." + +She ran out of the room as she spoke, slamming the door behind her. + +"There, that's a comfort," cried Alice, breathing freely for the first +time. "Did you ever, girls, in all your lives, see a more terrible +creature? What is to be done? Why, she will disgrace us all at school. +You know what a very nice set we are in at present." + +"Oh, an excellent set," said Elma, in a sarcastic voice. + +"You know, Elma, that we do belong to the nicest set in the school, and +I am sure, Gwin, your father--" + +"You need not drag father in," cried Gwin. Father likes all the people I +like." + +"But, surely--" began Alice. + +Gwin looked at her gravely, then she nodded. + +"I am not quite certain yet," she said; "but I think it highly probable +that I shall take up that poor, wild, little Kitty. At least she is +fresh; she speaks out her mind plainly, and there is a great deal to +admire about her." + +"Then, listen, Gwin," cried Alice; "if she is taken into our special +society I will resign." + +"Will you really, Alice? What, if I ask you to stay?" + +"It is hard to refuse you, dear; but you scarcely know what all this +means to me. I am rubbed the wrong way; I don't understand myself. But +frankly, Gwin, you are not going to ask Kitty Malone to join our +society?" + +"What if it does her good?" + +"But ought we not to think of the others? She is a perfect stranger to +us all at present." + +"But she won't be long. Bless the child, she has no reserve in her, and +I do want to help her, poor little girl! Well, we need not decide that +point at present." + +"Do let us vote to leave her out," cried Alice. + +"No, Alice, we will leave the point undecided. Now let us set to work, +and begin to form our rules, for really we have no time to lose." + +"But what are we to do without Bessie?" exclaimed Alice. "Whatever +happens, we cannot do without Bessie Challoner; she will be the life and +soul of the whole society. Shall we send for her, Gwin?" + +"No, Kitty is with her, and they had better not be disturbed." + +"What a difference Kitty makes," cried Alice. "I did think we should +have had a delightful and heavenly evening, and it has been all ruction +from first to last." + +"Because you dislike her so much, Alice," said Gwin. + +"Well, I do," said Alice; "I can't abide her. But do I show my dislike +so plainly?" she added. + +"Rather! Any one can see it in the curl of your lip and the expression +in your eyes; and then you say such terribly withering things to the +poor girl. You try to crush her." + +"Well, if I may say what I think," cried Elma, "Kitty Malone seems to me +to be a very unpleasant, vulgar girl, and I cannot imagine why she has +been sent here." + +"Oh, as to her vulgarity," said Alice, who suddenly felt forced to +defend herself against Elma's spiteful speeches, "Kitty comes of a very +old family, and her father is as rich as ever he can be. They live in a +wonderful castle in County Donegal, just overhanging the sea; and from +what I learn are considered county people. Father was very pleased to +have her, and whatever she is, she is a lady by birth." + +"So she is rich?" remarked Elma in a low voice. "Well, at any rate," +she continued after a pause, "she is very pretty." + +"Pretty!" cried Gwin; "I should just think she is. She has the most +lovely face I ever saw. Girls, it is quite true what she says; she will +fascinate any number of people. That dashing, daring way of hers will go +down with numbers. Yes, she will make a revolution in Middleton School, +I am certain." + + + + +CHAPTER V + +INCORRIGIBLE KITTY + + +Mr. Harley's library was a beautiful room. It was lined with books from +floor to ceiling, and these books had been selected with the greatest +care. Standard works of all sorts and in three languages were to be +found on certain bookshelves, also modern works, both poetry and prose, +with some of the best novels of the day. + +Bessie Challoner never envied rich people. She cared nothing whatever +for fine dresses, nor for carriages and horses, nor for the luxurious +life of the wealthy, but she did envy Gwin Harley the use of her +father's library; and when she entered the room now, with that delicious +faint smell of leather which all libraries possess, she sniffed first +with ecstasy, and then climbing on the ladder secured the volume of the +"Encyclopaedia" which she required, and seating herself at one of the +center tables, was soon lost in the fascinations of her subject. After a +time a little cough, very gentle, however, caused her to raise her head, +and there standing before her was Kitty Malone. + +Kitty's long arms had dropped to her sides, and she had pushed back her +masses of dark hair. There was a pathetic expression about her rosy +lips, and tears trembled on her long eyelashes. + +"Why, what is it, Kitty; what do you want?" asked Bessie. + +"Ah, then it's good to hear you say that word, aroon," said Kitty. "I +want to sit near you. I won't speak, no, not a syllable. Hush will be +the only word with me, hush! hush! hush! You can go on with your beloved +reading and I'll stay near you; that's all I require. Why, then, it's +just a shelter I need, and nothing more. Read away, Bessie, my honey, +and I'll do nothing to interrupt you." + +"But why have you left the others?" asked Bessie. + +"Never mind, dear, now. I'll just sit quietly here, and contemplate you +while you are studying." + +Bessie sighed impatiently. She then bent again over her book, and began +to devour the pages. Kitty watched her with marked interest. + +"I wonder if it will be my fate to have to take up with literature in +sober earnest," she said to herself, "I, who can never abide a book. Oh, +to be back again in the dear old place! I should not be a bit surprised +if Laurie is out fishing now, and Pat with him. And oh, suppose they are +bringing in the trout, and the creatures are leaping and struggling as +they come to shore, and father is going round to feed the dogs--why, the +thought is enough to madden me. Oh, then, why did I ever leave home? I +don't care _that_ for books, nor for being clever nor for--How she works +to be sure! How earnest she looks. She has got a very fine forehead, +although it is miles too high. She ought to wear a fringe; it would +improve her wonderfully. I will cut her hair some day if she will let +me. I will cut it and curl it. I have got the dearest little jewel of a +pair of curling tongs that ever was seen! Aunt Honora sent it to me in a +box with a spirit lamp all complete when I got the rest of my things. +I'll just exercise those little tongs on dear, nice Bessie. I do wish +she would not be so devoted to that book, she might talk. Oh, I am +lonely. I think I'll fidget a bit." + +Kitty moved her chair, creaking it ominously; but Bessie had got to a +most thrilling part of her subject, and Kitty might have creaked the +library down before she would have roused her companion's attention. + +"Now, if I sigh, perhaps that will do it," thought Kitty. She opened her +mouth and let some profound sighs come up from the depths of her heart; +but they only depressed her still more, and had no effect whatever on +Bessie. + +"I think I hate intellectual people," muttered the Irish girl. She +jumped to her feet. + +"I must do something to rouse her or I shall go mad. She is the nicest +of them all, much. I wish she would speak to me. Why should I break my +heart, and why should she simply go on devouring that stupid book? Here, +I know what I'll do. I'll just toss down one of the big volumes; it will +make a clatter and she will have to look up. Perhaps I'll let it drop +just the tiniest bit in the world on the corner of her toe; that will +finish her." Here Kitty laughed excitedly, pushed out her arm and +knocked over a huge volume which certainly fell a good deal more than a +tiny bit on poor Bessie's foot. + +"Oh, Kitty, what have you done?" cried Bessie. "You have quite hurt me. +I wish you would not drop the books about." + +"There, darling, I had to do it. Pray forgive me," said Kitty. + +"You had to do it!" answered Bessie. "Do you mean that you did it on +purpose?" + +"Why, then, yes, love--that's what I do mean exactly. I did it because +I wanted you to talk to me, and you _would_ think of nothing but that +book." + +"It is such a chance," answered Bessie, "and I wanted to find out for +myself all about that wonderful magnetic iron ore. You know it never +loses its power, it is potent for hundreds and hundreds of years, and--" + +"Oh, don't tell me any more, or I'll lose my senses. Dear Bessie, what +does magnetic iron ore matter. Bessie, I'm awfully unhappy. Every one is +so unkind to me. Promise you'll be my friend, won't you?" + +Bessie looked up, and then she saw something so touching in Kitty's face +that she closed her book with a reluctant sigh, to devote herself the +next moment with all the sympathy she possessed to her companion. + +"I am sure you are suffering, Kitty, and I am sorry for you," she said. +"I'll fetch my hat and we'll go out for a little." + +"Oh, what a darling you are!" answered Kitty. + +A moment or two later the girls were walking across the beautifully-kept +garden; they soon reached a shady path at the further end. + +"And now, Kitty," said Bessie, "I mean to lecture you a little." + +"Anything in the world you like, darling. I'm quite agreeable. Aunt +Honora and Aunt Bridget lecture me, and so does the dear old dad +sometimes; but I always say when they have finished that it is like +water on a duck's back--it rolls off without making the least bit of +impression, and then they laugh and say that I am the queerest mixture +they ever came across, and that they had best leave me to nature. But +perhaps I'll listen to you, Bessie." + +"I wish you would," said Bessie. "I am sure," she added, speaking with +great earnestness, "that you are a very nice girl, Kitty; but at the +same time you are wild." + +"Oh, I pride myself on that," said Kitty in her frankest of voices. + +"But I wish you would not, Kitty, for it really isn't nice." + +"Not nice! Now what may you be meaning by that, aroon?" + +"Well, there is a sort of dignity which I think a really well brought-up +girl ought to possess." + +"Oh, my! dignity is it?" said Kitty. She stepped away from her +companion, drew down her face to a ridiculous length, nearly closed her +eyes, and folded her hands demurely across her breast. + +"Is that pleasing you, mavourneen?" she said. "Is it dignified and sober +enough poor Kitty Malone looks now?" + +"Oh, Kitty, you will joke about everything." + +Kitty immediately changed her mood. + +"No, I won't," she said. "I am really awfully obliged to you. You don't +know what all this has been to me. Father said I was growing too +wild--yes, the darling dad did; he agrees with you down to the core of +his heart, and he said I must go to England and be taught manners. But, +bless you, they'll have a job. I told him so when I was going. I said, +'Dad, it's the hearts of the teachers I'll be breaking;' and dad said, +'Oh, no, you won't, Kitty, aroon. You'll be a good girl, and you'll try +to please your old dad and you'll come back a beautiful, perfect lady!' +He said it with tears in his eyes, he did, the darling; and I promised, +and down on my knees I went and asked God to help me. But, dear, it's +like the froth of the sea-foam inside me, the fun and the mischief and +the nonsense and the ways that you think queer; but, all the same, those +ways delight the good folk at home. Must I really give them up, +Bessie--must I?" + +"To a certain extent," said Bessie, "or you will have a lot of enemies +here, Kitty, and you won't be at all happy." + +"How I wish I lived with you, Bessie Challoner. You're a broth of a +girl, that you are. You have not taken a dislike to me just because of +the fun bubbling up in my heart?" + +"No, dear; on the contrary, I like you extremely." + +"Ah, you precious duck of a darling! It is a good squeeze you would +like, if I gave it to you?" + +"Well, I am not very fond of being kissed; but if you must, Kitty." + +"I must, dear, I must, for the heart in me is full to the brim. Now +then, stand still, and I'll catch you up close to my heart. There! isn't +that better?" + +Poor Bessie gave some long-drawn breaths, for the firmness, in fact the +ferocity, of Kitty's embrace quite hurt her for a moment. + +"There," said Kitty, "that's the way we hug in Old Ireland. Now I'm a +sight better, and I'll let go. So you do like me, Bessie?" + +"Yes, very much indeed, Kitty, only--please don't do it again." + +"I won't to-night, I won't really, but it's wonderful that you don't +like it. I wish you could see Aunt Honora and Aunt Bridget hug one +another. Why, it's the noise they make when they get together, and the +way they kiss! Oh, dear, I hope some day you'll come to Ireland." + +"You don't tempt me by these descriptions," replied Bessie. "But now, +Kitty, will you promise just to be a little quieter, to keep in all +those irrepressible and--really I must say it, dear, at the risk of +hurting you--those silly words." + +"But then I'm silly myself," said Kitty. "Can you expect wisdom out of +nonsense? I am pure and simple nonsense from first to last." + +"But you do want to be something better? You do want to lead a good +life?" + +"A good life! I never thought there was anything bad in me." + +"You want to learn for instance?" + +"No; that I don't, darling." + +"You don't want to learn, Kitty? Then what is the good of coming to +Middleton School?" + +"Listen," said Kitty. "I'll do anything for father. Father said I was to +learn, and that I was to get manners. Now I think your manners are +perfect. I'll model myself on you, dear; that I will. Will you teach me +your manners, Bessie Challoner?" + +"I'll do all I can to help you, Kitty." + +"And you'll be my real faithful friend?" + +"Yes, only please not--" + +"I won't, dear, I won't to-night; but when I meet you to-morrow you'll +allow me just once?" + +"Well, if it will break you in." + +"It will, it will. It will enable me to bear Alice. I am not the sort to +hate people; but I'll soon get to hate her. It's an awful affliction +that I have got to live with the Denvers; not that Mrs. Denvers is bad, +nor Mr. Denvers, poor dear, nor Fred, but Alice! I'd like to get Alice +over to Ireland, to Castle Malone. I could punish her a bit if I put her +into Laurie's hands. But there!" + +"Well, Kitty, time is going," said Bessie. "It is a bargain that I help +you to learn some of our English ways, and that you, in order to pay me, +try to be gentle yourself, and to restrain some of your wild words." + +"I'll try. I'll do my very, very best. You'll see when I get to +Middleton School what a proper, respectable sort of girl I'll become." + +"And you'll work hard too, won't you, Kitty? For I know it will do you a +great deal of good, and I am sure you are very intelligent." + +"Well, I can take in most things; only it's no end of a bother." + +"I am certain you will succeed if you try," said Bessie. "Then it's a +bargain, isn't it? You'll try to learn a great deal, and you will do +your best to get better mannered?" + +"Why, of course I will. I hate learning, and I don't want to be bothered +with lessons: but there's nothing under the sun I wouldn't do for those +I love; and I love father and I love you too, Bessie Challoner." + +"They are calling us. We must go into the house," said Bessie. + +"Do yield to me on one point," cried Kitty. + +"What is that?" + +"Let us go back to the house with our arms round each other's waists. It +will show Alice that we have come to an understanding. I don't care +twopence about Miss Harley nor about that other girl--I don't remember +her name; but I want Alice to see us. Why, it's mad with jealousy she'll +be. Come along, aroon. Here's my arm firm round your waist; now let us +dance up to the house." + +"Oh Kitty, Kitty, you are incorrigible!" cried poor Bessie, and a +feeling of despair certainly visited her at that moment. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +THE TUG-OF-WAR. + + +A few days after the events related in the last chapter Alice Denvers, +Bessie Challoner, Elma Lewis, and Gwin Harley met once more at Gwin's +pretty home, to discuss the rules of a little society which they were +drawing up among themselves. The nicest girls in their set were to be +invited to join; but the important subject of the rules was first to be +discussed. Gwin Lad drawn up a plan which she now submitted to her eager +companions. + +"The most important thing of all is the name," she said. "I thought of +calling it 'The Early Rising, Devoted to Study Society.'" + +"Oh, twice too long," said Bessie. "Who could be bothered saying all +these words? You know when we are in the rush of school-life we cannot +be bothered talking of the 'Early Rising, Devoted to Study;' it would +never, never do. We must express what we mean in a single word if +necessary." + +"Then let us get one," said Gwin. "You have not the least idea what a +headache I had last night searching in the dictionary and cudgelling my +brains; but a sensible word which would express all our meaning I could +not get." + +"Let us think what our meaning clearly is," said Elma. + +"Don't you know that yet?" exclaimed Bessie. "The society is to be +formed as an incentive to make us work extra hard. You know," she added +"I always think the motives of school-life are quite wrong." + +"Oh, do listen to the words of Miss Wisdom," said Elma, in a very +mocking tone. + +Bessie's big gray eyes flashed for a moment with indignation; but she +soon recovered her usual calm. + +"I think the motives of school are wrong," she repeated; "there are +prizes offered, and there is a lot of emulation--" + +"And how could we live without emulation?" cried Alice. "Why, it is the +very breath of life." + +"But the desire of each to excel the other is not surely why we are sent +to school," continued Bessie. "We are sent to school because our parents +want us to learn something. They don't want us specially to get prizes, +although they are glad when we do, because they suppose that we have +accomplished some of the objects of our school life; but their real wish +is that we should know English history, and history generally, that we +should be well acquainted with geography, that we should speak French +fluently, and understand German so as to be able to converse in that +tongue, and to read the literature." + +"Oh, do listen to the bookworm," cried Elma. + +"In short," continued Bessie; "that we should become accomplished +women--that is undoubtedly the real object of school." + +"Well, we are not gainsaying it," said Gwin. "We all know, dear Bessie, +what you feel about learning; it is the breath of life to you." + +"It is, I rejoice in it," said Bessie. "A good vigorous tussle with a +tough subject is the keenest pleasure which I can possibly have." + +"But the rest of us are not made the same way," continued Gwin. "Now I +like my studies very much--that is, in moderation. When I am learning +and mastering French, and getting through my music creditably, and, in +short, going through the usual curriculum of work, I feel interested; +but I also have a delightful sense that if I work for so many hours I am +entitled to play for so many hours." + +"Oh, bother the play," interrupted Bessie. + +"You see, Bessie Challoner, that is the difference between us. I like +work just to form part of my life, but not the whole; you want work to +form the whole of your life." + +"Yes; that I do," said Bessie. + +"But now to return to the society," interrupted Elma. "We all know that +it won't be the slightest effort to Bessie to join; but she will be a +good incentive to the rest of us. She will always be at the top of the +tree, at the head of her class, and all that sort of thing. She won't +require to be told to get up early, because she always does." + +"I tell you what," interrupted Bessie; "let us put things into our rules +which will be a tug-of-war for me too. For instance, now, I am untidy." + +"Well, yes; just a little bit," said Gwin, her eyes dancing. + +"It's more than a little bit," said Bessie. "Oh, Gwin, you don't know +what a nuisance it is to keep my room in order, and sometimes I forget +the things dear mother tells me, and I am impatient with poor little +Judy, who takes, I must say, a fiendish delight in putting my things in +hiding. Now, our rules might include tidiness of person and order +generally. It's no trouble to me to keep my books in order, nor my mind +in order; but I do hate washing my hands before every meal, and brushing +my hair and doing it up in a fashionable roll at the back of my head." + +"Oh, my dear child," said Elma, "do you imagine for a moment that that +excrescence at the back of your head is fashionable? I never saw +anything more dowdy." + +"Dowdy? Is it?" said Bessie. "I spent five minutes over it this morning, +and twisted it up three times in order to give it that horrid little +handle of a jug look which you all aspire to. Well, well, I don't +suppose we need add to our rules that the girls who belong to the +society are to be fashionable." + +"It would be a really good idea if we did," said Elma. "I cannot see why +schoolgirls should be a lot of frumps. Our society is to effect a +certain object which can never be acquired unaided in a great school +like Middleton. We want to be as ladylike, as refined, as nice as if we +belonged to a very small and select school. We get the best teaching at +Middleton, but I don't suppose we get the best manners." + +"Well, let us add all these things to the rules," said Gwin, "and let us +begin to put them down at once. First, as to the name. Until we can +think of a better we must call it the 'Mutual Improvement Society.'" + +"A hateful word," said Bessie. "The M.I.S.!" + +"Yes, it does sound priggish," said Elma. + +"Well, I dare say some one will have genius enough to think of a more +flashy and brilliant name," said Gwin, "but for the present we will call +it the 'Mutual Improvement,' for that is exactly what it means. Now then +for the rules." + +As Gwin spoke she drew in front of her a sheet of foolscap paper; and, +dipping her pen in ink, looked eagerly at her three young companions. + +"Rule I.," she said. + +"For goodness' sake," cried Bessie, "let Rule I. apply to study. Do let +down lightly with regard to tidiness and fashionable hair, and all that +sort of thing." + +"Yes, we will begin about the most important matters first," said Gwin. +Here she began to write rapidly in pencil. "I must copy this out in my +best and most copperplate hand presently," she continued; "but while we +are correcting matters and getting down our rules somehow pencil will +do. Well, Rule I. Shall it be something like this, girls? 'The members +of this society are expected to aim for the top of the class in each +branch of their study at Middleton School. They are expected to gain at +least one prize at the midsummer examination.'" + +"That sounds rather like emulation coming in," interrupted Bessie. + +"It must come in, Bessie--it must," said Elma. "We must have something +to work for." + +"I thought the love of the thing--" began poor Bessie. + +"Oh, Bessie Challoner, do shut up. Yes, Gwin, that first rule goes very +well," said Elma. "We are to aim for the top of the class, and we are to +secure at least one prize each. Hurrah! for the Mutual Improvement +Society! Now, then let us get to Rule II." + +"That applies to deportment," said Gwin. "'The members of the Mutual +Improvement Society are to aim at ladylike manners, they are to refrain +from slang in conversation, and they are to refuse to make friends with +girls who indulge too largely in that special form of vulgarity.' Poor +Kitty Malone!" + +"But she does not talk slang," said Bessie. "She talks Ireland, and +Ireland and England are as far apart as the poles." + +"Rule III.," continued Gwin, "relates to tidiness; and now, Bessie, +comes your tug of war. 'The members of the society must engage to keep +their home things in perfect order, as well as their school desks. They +must be neat in their persons, exquisitely clean with regard to hands +and teeth, and tidy with regard to hair.'" + +"I don't think I'll join," said Bessie. + +"Nonsense, Bessie; it was you who told us to put all this in. I, as a +matter of course, always do these things," said Gwin, looking very sweet +and the essence of young ladyhood as she spoke. + +"Oh, yes, you dear old thing, you are perfect; but you don't live in the +sort of ramshackle house we do," said Bessie. "However, never mind. I am +quite agreeable to go in for the tug-of-war. And, now, is there anything +else?" + +"Oh yes, there is," said Elma, "and I think it is a most important +thing. 'The members of the Society, as far as they possibly can, are to +adhere to fashionable dress, to hair done in a stylish manner, and in +short to that distinction of appearance which ought to characterize the +lady of the present day.'" + +"Well done, Elma," said Gwin, "that is a capital rule." + +"It is a hateful rule," said Bessie. "I really don't think I can join. I +don't know what fashionable clothes are. I never study the fashions. I +have not the slightest idea whether sleeves are worn stuck out to the +size of a balloon or skin-tight to the arm. All I ask for in a sleeve is +that it should be comfortable; all I ask for in a dress is that I should +not know I have it on. I like to be warm in winter and cool in summer. +More I do not ask for." + +"Then the rule will do you a wonderful lot of good," said Gwin. "And now +is it decided? If so we will draw up the rules in proper form, and----" + +"I tell you what," said Bessie. "I have thought of a name and a good one +too. Let us call the society the 'Tug-of-war Society.'" + +"Well done," said Gwin; "that will be capital. And now is there to be a +subscription or is there not?" + +"Oh, certainly," said Alice. "It would make it much more distinguished, +and prevent too many girls asking to join. We want to have the +Tug-of-War Society rather select, don't we?" + +"I suppose so," said Gwin; "but I don't think that really depends upon +the amount of the subscription. What do you say to half a guinea, +girls?" + +Alice looked thoughtful, and Elma's face turned rather pale; but she was +the first to say she thought Gwin's suggestion an admirable one. + +"Then that is all right," said Gwin, "and I will set to work to write +out the rules as neatly as I can. After they are all set out in due +form, we can see if there are any improvements to be suggested." + +Gwin set to work, bending low over her foolscap paper, and Alice offered +to help her. Elma and Bessie wandered out of the room, and soon their +conversation turned to the much-discussed subject of Kitty. + +Bessie stood up warmly for the harum-scarum Irish girl, as Elma called +her. + +"She has a lot of good in her," said Bessie warmly. "She would be a +splendid girl if she were tamed down a little. I really don't think we +want to take much of the fire out of her; but if she would only restrain +some of her wild speeches it would be all the better; for if she remains +as frank as she is at present to the end of the chapter she cannot help +making enemies." + +"I want to ask you a question, Bessie," said Elma, dropping her voice to +a low tone; "is it true that Kitty Malone is rich?" + +"Rich?" echoed Bessie. "I really cannot tell you." + +"I thought you might happen to know, as you have made such chums with +her. She is your greatest friend now at Middle ton School, is she not?" + +"Certainly not," replied Bessie. "What do you mean by asking me such a +strange question, Elma? Alice is far and away my greatest friend, and +after Alice I like Gwin best." + +"Oh, everybody likes Gwin Harley," said Elma; "who could help it? She is +so beautiful to look at, and she has such a delightful, lovely home." + +"I cannot see that her having a lovely, delightful home has anything to +do with our liking her," said honest Bessie. + +"Not to you perhaps," answered Elma, and a queer look, half-wistful, +half-defiant, came into her eyes. + +"I thought you would be sure to be able to tell me if Kitty were rich," +she said again after a pause. + +"I cannot. You must ask Alice--she lives with Alice. She has plenty of +pretty dresses, and all that sort of thing; but I don't know anything +about her having money." + +"I will run into the house this minute and ask Alice," said Elma. + +"Do, of course, if you are anxious; but I cannot imagine what difference +it makes to you." + +"No, it doesn't, but I am just curious on the subject. I won't keep you +long." + +Elma dashed into the house. She presently came back. + +"I have found out all about it," she said. + +"All about what?" asked Bessie. + +"What I went into the house for. How forgetful you are, Bessie!" + +"I was wondering if I might steal into the library," said Bessie. "I did +not get all the information I wanted about magnetic iron ore, but--Well, +what is it, Elma?" + +"Kitty Malone is rich, very rich, and----" + +"I can't see that it matters," said Bessie--"I mean to us." + +"Oh, but it matters a good deal. You don't understand. I shall certainly +vote that we ask her to join the Tug-of-War Society." + +"You will?" cried Bessie--a look of great pleasure came into her eyes. +"Then I am really glad, for to join such a society would do Kitty more +good than anything else in the world. Only the nicest girls will belong, +and she will get at once into the best set. She is as wild as she can +be, but she has got plenty of honor; and if she once gave her word that +she would do a certain thing no one would do it better." + +"Let us have her by all means. Let us put it to the vote as soon as we +go back to the house," said Elma. "Come Bessie, no slinking away in the +direction of that fascinating library. They have nearly copied the +rules, and we are to read them over and make comments." + +"I think it will be a delightful society," said Bessie. "I am sure it +will do me good." + +"It is meant to do us all good," said Elma. "Tug-of-war! I should rather +think it will be! How I shall hate that terrible effort to get to the +head of my class; not that I am stupid or dislike my lessons." + +"That would be the nice part as far as I am concerned," said Bessie; +"but oh! the fashionable sleeves and the stylish hair. Oh dear! I often +feel inclined to have my hair cut short." + +"Well, Bessie, you would be a fool if you did," said Elma. "Your +splendid hair; why, it's nearly down to your knees." + +"Yes, and that's the bother," said Bessie, "for mother insists on my +brushing it out every night for at least ten minutes, and all that time +is taken from my books. I tell you, Elma, I would gladly change with +you." + +Elma's locks were very thin and straggly, and she could not help +coloring at this left-handed compliment; but at that moment Alice +appeared on the balcony to tell the other two girls that the rules were +ready, and that they might return to the house. They did so, and the +rules were then read carefully over (by Elma on this occasion), +criticized by Gwin, Alice, and Bessie, and finally carried as far as the +original members of the society were concerned. The next important thing +was to put to the vote who was to be asked to join and who was to be +excluded. Several girls were named, and among them Elma suddenly +introduced the name of Kitty Malone. + +"Now what do you mean by that?" said Alice, her eyes flashing angrily. +"If Kitty joins the society, I, for one, will resign." + +"But you cannot, dear," said Gwin in her placid voice. "Remember you are +one of the founders; you are bound to uphold the society now for at +least one term of its natural life. At the end of that time you are +permitted to resign, but certainly not before." + +"Then, as I presume I have a vote with regard to the election of +members, I certainly do not wish for Kitty Malone," said Alice. + +"I think the votes must go by the wishes of the majority," replied Gwin; +"does any one else want her?" + +"I do." said Elma, holding up her hand. + +"And I think it would be good for her," said Bessie. + +"Dear me, Bessie, how spiteful of you to say that," cried Alice. + +"But I do think it, Alice; I do truly." + +"Why, Bessie?" asked Gwin. + +"Well, you know there are the sort of things mentioned in our rules +which would just give Kitty the sort of restraint she wants," began +Bessie. + +"Yes, I think I begin to understand you, Bessie. I too will vote that +she is asked to join," said Gwin. + +Alice looked very sulky, but did not say anything further, and soon +afterward the girls broke up their conference. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +ELMA. + + +Kitty Malone was admitted to a low form at Middleton School, her +acquirements being the reverse of distinguished. This fact did not give +her the smallest sense of discomfort. On the contrary, she was pleased; +and although her fellow-scholars were all younger and smaller than +herself, she soon became a sort of queen among them, laughing and joking +with them, and flying round the playground with half a dozen small girls +at her heels, feasting them with unlimited chocolate and telling them +stories. She soon got through her somewhat easy lessons, and was wilder +and more incorrigible than ever. The only sober moments she seemed to +enjoy were when she was with Bessie; for Bessie Challoner took a sincere +interest in her, and was very anxious to get her into a higher form, +where she would be with girls nearer her own age, and would thus be +forced to submit to more discipline than she could enjoy with the +younger girls. Bessie also hoped great things from the Tug-of-war +Society, and soon told Kitty that she was to be asked to become a +member. + +"I will certainly join when I am asked," answered Kitty. "I have not the +least idea what you are all driving at, but I'll become a member if it's +to be in the same society with you, my darling duck of a girl!" + +Bessie then read her a copy of the rules. + +"Why, then, you can't expect me to adhere to the first of them," was +Kitty's answer. "It's no, it's no to that, Bessie. I wouldn't tell a lie +for any earthly thing, and I could not drive myself to the head of that +class. Why, I wouldn't take the place from sweet little Agnes Moore for +all the world. Why it's tears I'd bring to the pretty eyes of the +creature. Oh, I couldn't get ahead of her. I'd just as lief be at the +tail--just as lief." + +"But, Kitty, have you no ambition?" + +"Well, no, dear, I don't think I have. I never could see the fun of +taking a prize from another; it's no use I'll be in the society, not the +least bit." + +"Well, all the same it would do you good," said Bessie, "for you know +you love your father, and you said you would try to acquire knowledge to +please him." + +"Oh, where's the good of reminding me of that," said Kitty, looking very +thoughtful and somewhat pensive. "Why did you come out with it, Bessie, +aroon; it's fretting the heart out of me you are. Dear old dad! there's +nothing I wouldn't do for him." + +"I am glad I did remind you, Kitty, for you know you have come here to +learn." + +"Ah, dear, I'll shut my ears if you talk any more in that sort of way," +said Kitty. "If I must learn, I must; but don't be reminding me of it, +there's a good creature--it's play out of school if it's work in." + +"Much work you do, Kitty! Why, I always see you laughing and winking +and twinkling your eyes, and pushing your feet about." + +"Pushing my feet about! And is it to keep them in a corner I would, +pretty feet like mine! Why, they are meant to be seen. That's the only +reason why I object to a long dress, because it does not show so much of +the feet and ankles. Ah, sure it's dear little ankles I have, as neat +and trim as you please." + +"Kitty, you are getting wilder than ever." + +"Well, darling, I'll cool down if you'll just let me give you one of my +big hugs." + +"I really can't; my ribs are quite sore. You must not do it to-day. I +told you, you might once a week, but no oftener." + +Kitty sank down on the nearest chair and looked comically miserable. + +"Go on with the next rule, Bessie," she said, after a moment. "I want to +belong to the Tug-of-war because it's close to you I'll be, darling. +What's the next rule?" + +Bessie read it out to her. + +"Why, now, it's the pink of a lady I am myself," said Kitty. "I was +always told I was; I don't mind that rule in the least. There won't be +much of a tug-of-war there; if Kitty Malone is to be a lady, why, a lady +she is. I wish you could hear Aunt Honora and Aunt Bridget talking about +our ancient family and our long and royal descent. Go on, Bessie; that's +not so bad as taking the prize from poor little Agnes. What's Rule +III.?" + +Rule III. was read aloud to Kitty, who shook her head solemnly several +times. + +"Now, to be frank with you," she said, "there's only one bond between +Alice and me, and that is we do make a froth of the things in our +drawers; and if we are both to struggle against our besetting infirmity, +it will go hard with us; but there, it will be fun to see her struggling +to be tidy and all to no purpose. I think I'll join on that account. I +shall like to see her fighting her drawers. I know if I'm put to it I +can keep mine twenty times tidier." + +"I am now coming to Rule IV.," said Bessie; this she read aloud with +some qualms, for she disliked it so very much herself. Kitty's eyes +flashed with pleasure. + +"Now, that is after my own heart," she cried, "fashionable dresses are +they, and hair done up in style. Mavourneen! mavourneen! you will have +to wear a fringe!" + +Kitty burst into peals of laughter. + +"Oh, Bessie," she said, "I have just been longing to attack that head of +yours. I'll bring my little tongs along, and I'll curl up such a lovely +fringe on your great intellectual forehead." + +"You'll do nothing of the kind," said Bessie, clasping her hands over +her head to protect her thick, long hair. + +"But you must, mavourneen, you must if you join the Tug-of-war Society. +Oh, it's beautiful you'll look! And I tell you what it is, Bessie, I'll +lend you the patterns of my new sleeves--those that are all crinkled +from above the elbow down to the wrist, and puffed ever so much at the +top, with little tucks, and little insertions, and little--" + +"Kitty, I won't listen to you for another moment. I shall try to dress +as neatly as I can, and perhaps I must twist my hair into a more stylish +coil at the back of my head, but beyond that I absolutely refuse to go." + +"Well, it's a delicious rule," said Kitty Malone, "and I hope I'll work +you round after a bit, Bessie. It seems but fair that if I yield to you +with regard to the other rules you ought to yield to me about Rule IV. I +am sure if I do take the prize from poor little Agnes Moore, and if I +never speak a word of slang, and if I keep my abominable drawers as neat +as a new pin, and all my clothes in perfect order, that you on your part +ought to wear a good thick, heavy fringe, and have your hair pointed out +ever so far at the back in the way it is worn in the present day. I'd +love to do it; and you have magnificent hair, Bessie, aroon! so you +have." + +"I must ask you to leave me now, Kitty," was Bessie's answer. "You are a +very funny girl, and there is a great deal that I like in you; but I +cannot neglect my studies even for you." + +"Oh, bother your studies!" answered Kitty. + +Bessie, however, was quite in earnest, and Kitty had to leave her. + +The next day there was another meeting at Gwin Harley's house, and the +members of the Tug-of-war Society were formally initiated into the +mysteries of what they had undertaken. About ten girls joined in all, +and it was decided to limit the number to these until the end of the +present term. In addition to the four chief rules it was also clearly +understood that the members were all to be absolutely faithful the one +to the other, that no member of the Tug-of-war Society was to speak +against another member; on the contrary, she was to uphold her through +thick and thin, to help her if possible, to aid her in moments of +difficulty, and to rejoice with her in moments of triumph. Once a week +the members were to meet at each other's houses. There they were to have +tea together, to discuss the rules if necessary, but at any rate to have +a pleasant time. As the summer advanced picnics were to be inaugurated +on Saturdays, and fun of some sort or another was to be the vogue. + +Kitty, who had dressed herself for this auspicious occasion in a dress +of the palest blue, with a silver sheen running in zigzag lines all over +it, whose black hair was curled up on her forehead and coiled +fantastically round the back of her head, whose eyes were shining and +wreathing themselves in all sorts of smiles, could scarcely restrain her +spirits while the rest of the girls were debating on the rules. + +Finally Gwin laid a little box on the table, and asked the new members +to subscribe their half-guinea each. Each girl dropped her +half-sovereign and sixpence into the box with the exception of Elma, +who, coloring a little, said she would bring it to Gwin the next day. No +one made any remark, as it was well known in the school that Elma was +anything but well off, and Gwin privately resolved to subscribe for her +without saying anything about it. + +Then the girls had tea in Gwin's own private sitting-room, and afterward +they wandered about the lawns, and returned home in the cool of the +evening. On this occasion Elma found herself side by side with Kitty +Malone. Kitty was walking quietly; she had exhausted some of her +emotions during the hours that she had played tennis, and laughed and +chatted with the other members of the Tug-of-war Society, and when Elma +put her hand on her arm, and looked up at her half-timidly and +half-beseechingly, Kitty stopped short, and said in her hearty, frank +voice: + +"And what may you be wanting with me, Elma? Is it a favor I can do you; +because if it is I am sure you are welcome to it with all the pleasure +in life." + +"You are a good-natured girl, Kitty," said Elma; "I always felt that +from the very first. Shall we drop a little behind the others? The fact +is I don't want every one to hear what I am going to say to you." + +"If it is a secret, darling, don't tell it to me," said Kitty, "for I +cannot keep it. I always say so quite frankly. I say to each person who +comes to me with a private confidence, 'Confide nothing in Kitty Malone, +for Kitty Malone is a sieve.'" + +"Oh, but it would never do for you to be that," said Elma, who was +somewhat alarmed and secretly greatly disgusted. "A girl is not worth +her salt if she tells what is confided to her by another girl; and of +course, now that you have become a member of the Tug-of-war Society, if +you are found blabbing any of our secrets at Middleton School I don't +know what will happen!" + +"I wonder what would happen!" cried Kitty; "it would be quite nice to +find out. Do tell me, Elma." + +"How can I when you don't understand," said Elma. "You would be wanting +in all honor; none of us ten girls would speak to you again." + +"Wouldn't Bessie Challoner, the darling?" + +"Certainly not. She could not; none of us could." + +"I shouldn't like that," said Kitty thoughtfully. "I did not know, when +I joined the Tug-of-war, that I was to be burdened with secrets. And am +I not to explain to any of the other girls why I am moving heaven and +earth to get to the very head of the class? Am I not to breathe the real +reason, when I am taking poor little Agnes Moore's place, and breaking +her heart, the pretty lamb? Is that so?" + +"You certainly are not," said Elma. "Dear me, Kitty, what a very +extraordinary specimen you are!" + +"Well, don't scold me, for pity's sake," said Kitty. "I am so sick of +every one telling me that I am an extraordinary specimen. In Ireland +they think I am a very fine specimen; but here! oh, it's nothing but +holding up of hands and rolling up of eyes, and 'Oh, dear, let us get +out of her way!' and 'Oh, dear, how queer she looks in her grand +clothes!' and--and----" + +"Do stop talking, Kitty. You are the most awful rattlepate----" + +"There, now, on you go," said poor Kitty. "I'm a rattlepate, am I? It +seems that I can never speak but I get into somebody's black books." + +"You don't get into mine, I am sure," said Elma. "But I think you ought +to be greatly obliged to me for telling you what is your plain duty with +regard to the Tug-of-war Society. It is just like a secret society; our +rules are our own, and not a soul who is not a member must know anything +about them." + +"Well, I won't tell," said Kitty. "When I say a thing I stick to it. I +won't split--there I that's flat and I suppose I am obliged to you, +Elma." + +"Yon ought to be," answered Elma. "Why, what a terrible scrape you would +have got into. And now, then, Kitty, I have something else to tell you." + +"Well, and what is it?" asked Kitty. + +"First, are you not pleased that you are a member of the Tug-of-war +Society?" + +"To be sure I am. I think it is awfully nice of all you girls to ask me +to join." + +"It is a great distinction," continued Elma; "a new girl like you, one +who is not known a bit in the school! Out of the whole school we have +only selected ten, including the founders, and you are one. You ought to +think yourself in rare luck." + +"So I do." + +"And you ought to be very grateful." + +"So I am." + +"But do you know whom you ought to be grateful to?" + +"Well, I suppose to Bessie." + +"Not a bit of it; it is to me you ought to be grateful. But for me you +would not be a member of the Tug-of-war Society." + +"But for you, Elma?" + +"No." + +"Was it you who got me asked to join?" + +"I was the one who insisted on your being asked to join us. I put it +plainly to Bessie and to Gwin, and they quite agreed with me. Alice was +the only one who voted against you." + +"Oh, just like her, spiteful thing!" said Kitty, coloring with +annoyance. "Well, I am sure, Elma, I am obliged to you, and if there's +anything I can do--" + +"I am coming to that," said Elma; "it's not much, but if you could--" + +"Could what? Why, I'll do anything. Is it one of my gowns you want to +borrow?" + +"No, no. What extraordinary ideas you hare!" + +"Oh, there you begin again," said Kitty. "I never can speak right. Well, +what can I do for you, Elma?" + +"If you could--just until next Monday--if you could lend me some--some +money," said Elma, coloring as she spoke, her voice faltering, and her +eyes seeking the ground. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +THE LITTLE HOUSE IN CONSTANTINE ROAD. + + +Kitty stared at her companion for a moment, then she put her hand into +her pocket and took out a very fat sealskin purse. She opened it and +held it out to Elma. + +"Help yourself," she said. + +Elma looked into the purse--golden sovereigns lay there in delicious +rows. There must have been at least fifteen sovereigns in the purse. + +"Take as many as you like," said Kitty; "you are heartily welcome." + +"You don't mean it; you can't," replied Elma, turning very pale. + +"Why, what are you hesitating about? You said you wanted some money. +Dear heart alive! everybody wants money in Ireland, we are always +borrowing one from the other. Take as many of those yellow boys as you +fancy, and say no more about it." + +"I am obliged to you, Kitty," said Elma. "I think you are quite +splendid; but can I--do you really mean it--can I take five?" + +"Five, bless you! Take them all if you want them. I have only to write +to the dear old man at home, and ask him to send me a fiver or a tenner, +and he'll do it. You need have no qualms, and----" + +"But when must I give them back?" + +"Whenever you like." + +"You don't really require them on Monday, do you?" + +"I don't require them at any special date. Pay me when it is convenient. +Here, you may as well have ten." + +"I could not; it is too much," said Elma. She put her hands behind her +back, her teeth were chattering, and she was trembling all over. She was +afraid that Kitty must read her through and through. + +"Oh, what is the use of bothering?" cried Kitty Malone. "If you won't +take ten, take eight. Let me see, that leaves me seven over. Seven +sovereigns. I don't ever want to spend any money here. Of course I may +require a new dress when the fashions change. I must keep strictly up to +date now that I have joined the Tug-of-war; but in case I do, I'll just +send a wire to Aunt Bridget in Dublin and she'll send me over a beauty. +Ah, she's a dear old soul, Aunt Bridget is. There, Elma, do take the +money and be quick about it." + +Elma--feeling sick and low, hating herself as she had never hated +herself before--dipped her greedy fingers into Kitty's sealskin purse, +and soon extracted eight of the golden sovereigns. These she slipped +into her pocket. + +"I cannot tell you how grateful I am to you," she said. + +"Not another word!" cried Kitty. "I have forgotten all about it already. +Now shall we have a run? I want to catch up to Bessie; I have not had a +word with her for the whole of the day." + +Elma no longer required to keep Kitty Malone in the background. She had +now gained her object. Hoping against hope to extract from half a +sovereign to fifteen shillings from the generous-hearted Irish girl, she +suddenly found herself the lucky possessor of eight whole sovereigns. +Never in the whole course of her life had Elma possessed anything +approaching such a sum. Her mother was very poor. She had only one +sister, a daily governess. All Elma's people were hard up, as the +expression goes, and Elma herself only attended Middleton School because +an aunt paid her school fees. Hardly ever could the girl secure even +half a crown for her own pleasure. She hated poverty, she detested the +small privations which slender means involved. She was in no sense of +the word a high, refined character; on the contrary, there was something +small in her nature, something little about her. She had ever cringed to +the wealthy. She had made friends with Gwin Harley, who was rich, +high-spirited, and generous, but also very conscientious, and with +abundance of common sense. A glance had told Elma that she could never +ask Gwin to lend her money; but Kitty--innocent, frank, generous +Kitty--had proved an all too easy prey. + +At that moment Elma despised Kitty as much as she was grateful to her. +The eight pounds, which she might return whenever she liked, lay lightly +in her pocket; she almost danced in her excitement and sense of triumph. +Of course Kitty would never tell--that went without saying; and in the +meantime she was rich beyond her wildest dreams. The girls had joined +forces when they came up to the stream which led across a wide field +called the Willow Meadow. Kitty linked her hand inside Bessie's arm, and +Elma and Alice walked side by side. + +"Well," exclaimed Alice, "how did you get on with her, Elma?" + +"With whom?" asked Elma. + +"Oh, need you ask? That detestable Kitty Malone. I saw you sucking up to +her, and wondered why." + +"I wish you would not use such horrid, vulgar words, Alice," said Elma. +"You know you are really breaking the rules of the Tug-of-war. We are +requested not to make use of slang." + +"I forgot," said Alice. "But if it comes to that," she continued, "I +believe I shall have to leave the society if I can never express my +feelings with regard to Kitty Malone." + +"But do you really dislike her as much as ever?" asked Elma, who, shabby +and mean as she was, in her poor little soul could scarcely bring +herself to run down generous Kitty just then. + +"Dislike her!" cried Alice. "I hate her--there! I suppose that's flat +and plain enough." + +"It certainly is." + +"But you don't mean to say--it is impossible, Elma--that you see +anything to like in her?" + +"Well, of course," answered Elma--who wished to propitiate Alice, for +her nature was to be all things to all men--"I can see at a glance that +she is not your style; she has not got your cleverness and refinement, +dear Alice." + +"Oh, bother!" cried Alice. But all the same she was pleased, and when +Elma tucked her small hand inside of her arm Alice did not shake her +off. + +"Any one can see that," continued Elma Lewis; "but I don't think she is +quite so bad as you paint her, Alice." + +Alice's private opinion of Elma was that she was a little toad, and she +now managed to extricate herself from the smaller girl's clasp. + +"I shall never like her," she said. "There is no good in your praising +her to me. If you mean to be her friend you must do so from a double +motive." + +"How uncharitable of you!" cried Elma, coloring crimson as she spoke. + +"Oh, I can guess it very well, my dear," pursued Alice. "But for you she +would not be a member of the Tug-of-war. What would have been a +delightful society, a pleasure to the best girls at Middleton School, +will be nothing whatever but a ridiculous farce, a scene of high comedy, +something contemptible, now that Kitty Malone has joined it. But for you +she would never have been asked to join. Why did you do it, Elma?" + +"For no reason in particular," answered Elma. + +"That is certainly not true, and you know it." + +"I cannot think why you speak to me in that tone," said Elma. "What have +I done to you that you should think so badly of me?" + +"Oh, I don't think badly of you, Elma, not specially; but I have always +seen that whatever you did, you did with a reason. In your own way you +are clever, you are extremely worldly wise. There are certain people who +would commend you; but you are not like the rest of us. You are not like +Gwin for instance, nor like Bessie, nor like me. Yes, I will frankly say +so, I am better than you, Elma. I have not got your double motives for +everything. You are only a girl now; I don't know what you will be when +you are a woman!" + +The thought of the eight sovereigns so comfortably reposing in her +pocket made Elma able to bear this very direct attack. She determined to +take it good-humoredly; there was no use whatever in quarreling with +Alice. Accordingly she said cheerfully: + +"You may think what you like of me, Ally, but I hope in the course of +years that you will find I am not so bad as you paint me." + +Shortly afterward the girls parted, and each went on her way to her +special home. Bessie ran briskly up the short avenue which led to her +house, waving farewells to her companions as she did so. Alice and Kitty +were obliged to content themselves one with the other; and Elma, in the +highest good-humor, her heart bubbling over with bliss, departed in the +direction of her own humbler residence. She had to walk quite a mile and +a half, and at the end of that time she found herself in a much poorer +part of the large suburb where Middleton School was situated. The houses +here were of a humble description--not even semidetached, but standing +in long, dismal rows, a good many of them backing on to a +railway-cutting. These houses boasted of no small gardens, but ran flush +with the road. They were built of the universal yellow brick, and were +about as ugly as they could well be. + +Elma paused at No. 124 Constantine Road. As she did so, a high, rasping, +and fretful voice screamed to her from an upper window: + +"You are later than ever to-day, Elma, and mother has been fretting +herself into hysterics. Do come in at once and be quick about it." + +Elma mounted the two or three steps which led to the hall door, and +pulled the bell with considerably more energy than was her wont. The +sovereigns were in her pocket; they made all the difference to her +between misery and happiness. She entered the house in high good-humor. + +"What is it, Carrie?" she called to the fretful voice, which was now +approaching nearer. + +The next moment a slatternly-looking girl appeared at the head of the +stairs. + +"It's very easy for you to ask what is it," cried its owner, speaking in +high dudgeon. "You promised to be in between five and six, and it is now +between seven and eight. Here is all my chance of an evening's fun +knocked on the head. It's just like you, Elma; that it is." + +"Oh, never mind now; please don't scold me," said Elma. "What is +it--about mother; has she been bad again?" + +"Oh, it's the usual thing; she has had one of those dismal letters from +father. I can't imagine why she thinks anything about them. It came just +when we were all sitting down to dinner, and she began to cry in that +feeble sort of fashion." + +"Oh, don't, Carrie; she will hear you," said Elma. "Pray go back to your +room, and I'll be with you in a minute. I have something to tell you. +You won't be quite so miserable when you hear my news." + +Carrie stared at Elma, and then slowly backed until she reached a very +minute bedroom which she and Elma shared together. + +Elma ran briskly upstairs. Turning to her right, she knocked at a +certain door; waited for an answer, but none came; then turned the +handle and went in. The Venetian blinds were down here, and the form of +a woman was seen lying in the center of a big bed. + +"Is that you, Elma?" said a voice; and then the head was buried once +more in the pillows, and no further notice whatever was taken. + +"Yes, mother, I am here," answered Elma. "I was thinking you might like +something nice for your supper--a crab or a lobster, or something of +that sort. Which would be your preference, mother?" + +"A crab or a lobster!" muttered Mrs. Lewis. "You might as well ask me if +I should like a bottle of champagne, or some caviare. One is about as +likely to be forthcoming as the other." + +"I tell you you may choose," said Elma. "I have my hat still on, and +I'll go as far as the fishmonger's, and bring in either a lobster or a +crab." + +Mrs. Lewis raised herself on her elbow as Elma spoke. + +"What are you dreaming about?" she said. "Where have you got the money?" + +"Never mind. I have got the money. Which Would be your preference?" + +"Oh, crab, dear; crab. I like it when it's well dressed; but then Maggie +never can do anything properly." + +"I'll dress it on this occasion," said Elma. "You shall have a good +supper--crab and salad, and--There mother, do keep up heart again; you +give way too much." + +"Ah, child," said poor Mrs. Lewis, "I have had another terrible letter. +He says he is starving; he cannot get work. I made the greatest possible +mistake in allowing him to leave the country." + +"You could do nothing else," said Elma, with a little stamp of her foot. +"You know he would not help you in any way; he had to leave. But there, +mother, you shall tell me the dismal news after tea. You will feel ever +so much better when you have partaken of the dainty meal I mean to get +for you." + +Mrs. Lewis did not say anything further. Elma bent down, touched her +parent on her brow with the lightest possible caress, and then stepped +on tiptoe out of the room. + +"Poor mother!" she muttered. "It is surprising the kind of things that +comfort one; she is soothed at the thought of crab for supper with +salad. Well, that is all right; she will be as amiable and petting to me +as possible for the rest of the day. Now, then, for Carrie. A loose, +untidy, badly, hung together girl like Carrie is a trial to any sister. +However, I know the sort of thing that pleases her. I must be very +careful of my treasure-trove. I shall not spend it lightly; but in +giving my family small unexpected surprises it will be doing me an +immensely good turn." + +Elma now entered the room where Carrie was fuming up and down. + +"Well, what have you to say for yourself, miss?" she cried, when her +younger sister put in an appearance. + +"Only that I am very sorry, Carrie; but to be honest with you, I quite +forgot that you wanted to go out this afternoon. Did I not tell you +that I was engaged to tea at Gwin Harley's?" + +"You are forever with that odious girl," said Carrie. + +"Gwin Harley an odious girl! What in the world do you mean?" + +"What I say. Oh, of course I have seen her, and I know she's pretty, or +some people would think her so; in my opinion she's vastly too stuck up; +and so Sam Raynes says. Sam saw her last Sunday in church, and he said +she wasn't a bit his style." + +"Oh, pray, don't quote Sam Raynes to me," said Elma. "Well, Carrie, of +course I had tea with Gwin, and of course she's about the nicest girl in +the world; and Kitty Malone was there, that scamp of an Irish girl. Oh, +she's not so bad when you get to know her better. And Alice Denvers was +there, and Bessie Challoner. We had quite a nice time. Of course I told +you about that society that I have joined. Well, there are about ten +girls members now, quite the elite of the school. I believe we shall do +a vast lot of good." + +"What does it matter to me," said Carrie, stamping her foot. "I have +lost my pleasant afternoon with Sam. He and his sister promised to meet +me. I was to go with them to the Crystal Palace. Oh, it's too +provoking." + +Carrie still fumed up and down the room. + +"And I have such a dull time," she continued; "those children are quite +past bearing. They wear the very life out of me. See what that little +imp of a Claude did to my dress this afternoon." + +As Carrie spoke she held up a decidedly shabby dress, which bore a huge +rent at one side. + +"He caught it in his nasty little boot," said the girl. "He was +scrambling up on my knee, and made such a fuss, and there happened to be +a tiny hole, and then he wriggled and wriggled, and made it worse and +worse. The skirt is not fit to wear. I don't know what I shall do. I +really have not a blessed farthing to buy myself another new thing." + +Elma made a careful calculation. + +"How much was that stuff a yard?" she asked suddenly. + +"What does it matter, Elma? It's worn out now, and there's an end of it. +You cannot buy me another gown; so where's the good of talking." + +"But perhaps I can," said Elma dubiously. + +"My dear Elma what do you mean?" + +"Well, I am not quite certain, of course," said Elma; "and it would have +to be very cheap--very cheap indeed. But what color would you like, +Carrie?" + +"Oh, blue," said Carrie, "rather light in shade. I love blue; and Sam +says I look sweet in it." + +"If you begin to quote Sam again I don't think I'll give you sixpence +for anything. You know perfectly well that I loathe and detest him." + +"Oh, that's your way," said Carrie. "You think it is very fine to detest +all the young men in our set; but I tell you Sam is a right good fellow, +and he has his ideas as much as anybody. He is going to get a raise, +too, at Christmas, and--" + +"Are you engaged to him, Carrie?" asked Elma suddenly. + +"Not yet. Oh, we don't think of any such thing; but I like to go with +him. He is great fun, and so is Florrie. Florrie doesn't mind a bit how +often she acts gooseberry." + +Elma went and stood by the window. She looked gloomily out. How shabby +and sordid her home was; how miserable everything seemed! Carrie was +really a trial to any sister. Elma wondered if in the future she would +have to tolerate Sam Raynes as her brother-in-law. A sick feeling crept +over her. She was not a particularly refined girl; but in her school +life she associated with girls of a totally different caliber from poor +Carrie, and a shudder ran through her frame as she thought over her +sister. + +"If you mean anything by that talk about a new frock, you had better +speak out plainly," said Carrie. "If you can really give me money to get +the stuff, something pretty and cheap, I could buy it to-night; there is +still plenty of time." + +"Put on your hat and we'll go out at once," said Elma. + +Carrie rushed to her wardrobe, took down her frowzy, over-trimmed hat, +stuck it on her towzled head, drew a pair of gloves up her arms, and +announced herself ready. The two girls ran briskly downstairs. Mrs. +Lewis called from her bedroom after them: + +"Where are you two going?" she said. "Am I to be left alone in the +house?" + +"No, Maggie is in the kitchen," called out Carrie. + +"Oh, I am sick of being by myself, and I want my supper." + +"I must go out to choose the crab, mother," said Elma. + +"Oh, the crab," replied Mrs. Lewis in a mollified tone. "If you are +going really to get one, Elma, be sure you see that it has plenty of +coral in it, and choose nice, crisp lettuce. I care nothing for crab +without lettuce." + +"All right mother; I'll manage," said Elma. + +The girls found themselves in the street. + +"So you are going to get mother crab and lettuce for supper," cried +Carrie. "Then I suppose after all you don't mean to give me money to buy +stuff for a new dress?" + +"Yes, I do, Carrie, if you'll only have patience. I said I would, and +there's an end of it." + +"But how have you got the money?" + +"Never you mind; I have got it." + +Carrie walked on, her spirits rose, and she began to talk in her high +staccato voice, allowing each person who passed to hear what she was +saying. + +"This is Thursday," she said. "I shall get up at daylight to-morrow +morning, and I shall cut out the dress and put it in hand. I am always +home between four and five in the afternoon, so I can work at it again +until late at night. Then on Saturday, thank goodness! there's a whole +holiday. Oh, I shall manage to get it done by the evening, and Sam and I +can have a jolly time together in the park on Sunday." + +"We will buy the crab first," said Elma, "and then we can call at +Macpherson's on our way home." + +"They have sweet things at Macpherson's," said Carrie. "You really are a +very good-natured old thing, Elma." + +"I am glad you think so," said Elma, her lips parted in a slightly +satirical smile. + +Carrie, now beaming all over with good-humor, assisted in the choosing +of the crab; she further volunteered to carry this luxury home, and +suggested that radishes would be a great addition to the lettuce. + +"Is there anything else you think mother would like?" asked Elma. + +"Oh, a bottle of really good Guinness' stout," said Carrie. + +"Capital, Carrie! Why, you are getting quite a head for housekeeping. +We'll give mother such a good supper, and it will do her a world of +good." + +"Poor old dear, so it will," said jubilant Carrie. + +Having purchased the materials for an appetizing meal, the girls now +entered a large establishment which, being supported by people of +extremely slender means, could only afford to indulge in the cheapest +articles. Carrie desired the shopman to exhibit cheap materials in +different shades of blue. She finally selected one, turquoise in color, +and wonderfully pretty, which cost the large sum of sevenpence +three-farthings per yard. She ordered the required length to be cut, and +Elma took out her purse to pay for it. + +She did not at all want her sister to see how many sovereigns that purse +contained, and turned her back slightly as she laid one on the counter. + +"Well, how you got it baffles me!" cried Carrie. + +"Pray, don't speak so loud," said Elma; "they really will think that I +stole it if you go on giving me those sort of staccato rises of your +eyebrows. It's all the better for you; that sovereign has got you a new +dress." + +"So it has, and you are an old darling," said Carrie. "I'll tell Sam +all about you on Sunday, Elma. By the way, what a good idea; wouldn't +you like to come with us? There's Sam's cousin, Maurice, a capital +fellow--Maurice Jones." + +"Oh, no; don't speak of him," said Elma. She gave a shudder, and turned +her head aside. + +The materials for the dress were purchased, even down to the linings and +buttons; and Carrie, holding her parcel tucked comfortably under her +arm, started home, Elma accompanying her. Carrie was so excited and +delighted with her dress that she had no time even to think of the +wonderful problem as to how Elma had got the money. + +When they reached the house Elma ran into the kitchen and prepared to +dress the crab. She did so well, and when the dainty little meal was +upon the table, ran upstairs to bring her mother down. + +"Now, mother, get up at once," she said. + +"Get up. Oh. I can't," said Mrs. Lewis; "I have got such a splitting +headache." + +"But the crab is downstairs, and I have dressed it myself, just in the +way you like best. I have brought in a little cayenne pepper, too, for I +know you don't care for crab without it; and the lettuce is wonderfully +crisp and fresh, and there are some radishes. Oh, and Carrie reminded me +that you would not care for crab without your stout." + +"I know," said Mrs. Lewis in a plaintive voice; "your father would never +allow me to touch crab or lobster without stout. Ah, but those good old +days are gone!" + +"Not quite mother, for there is a bottle of Guinness's waiting at your +disposal." + +"Oh, is there?" said Mrs. Lewis. She raised herself on her elbow. "Then +I think I'll go down," she said. + +"Well, make yourself smart, mother. I shall be waiting for you, and so +will Carrie." + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +THE HEAD-MISTRESS AND THE CABBAGE-ROSE. + + +Middleton School, which consisted of from six to seven hundred girls, +was kept in a state of discipline not so much by punishments as by a +very strict code of honor. There were certain things which no Middleton +girl who respected herself would ever dream of doing. There were other +things which she would do as a matter of course. For instance, she would +uphold her school through thick and thin, allowing no outsider to run it +down. To be a member of Middleton School insured her friendship with all +the other girls in the school. The _esprit de corps_ of this celebrated +day school was exceptionally strong. Even in after-life its members met +as friends, never forgetting that they were at one time schoolfellows in +one of the best and most thorough colleges of learning in the whole of +England. + +As the fees for instruction were necessarily low, and as the school was +therefore open to all classes of girls, from the very rich to those who +had but limited means, a rule, and a very strong one, was that all money +and class distinctions were to be absolutely abolished. The girls, so +long as they belonged to the school, were absolutely on the same +footing, notwithstanding the fact that their home-lives might be very +far removed the one from the other. Among the most emphatic rules of +the school--a rule which, if it were disobeyed, would cause ostracism on +the part of the girls and the gravest reprimand, not to say a chance of +expulsion, on the part of the teachers--was the borrowing of money. +Money was supposed not to be mentioned between the girls; and as to a +poor girl borrowing from a rich, it was considered about the blackest +crime which could take place in Middleton School. Now, Elma, knew this +fact perfectly well, and when she took the eight pounds from Kitty +Malone she was aware of the grave risk which she ran. More depended on +her keeping up a good character in the school than her companions were +at all aware of. She was sent to Middleton School by an aunt who to a +certain extent had adopted her--her mother could not possibly afford to +pay the fees, small as they were. + +Elma knew well as she lay down to sleep that night that if the little +transaction between herself and Kitty were known she would be +practically ruined for life. No other girl belonging to the school would +lend money even if it were asked for, so strong was the feeling on this +head; but Kitty knew nothing about it; she had not been long at +Middleton, and the subject had not been mentioned to her. Elma sincerely +trusted to Kitty's never alluding to it. Kitty had promised not to tell; +and Elma believed, wild and erratic as she was, that when her word was +once given, she would respect it. When she had asked Kitty to lend her +money she had intended only to take half a sovereign; she wanted this in +order to pay her subscription to the Tug-of-war Society; but when Kitty +generously opened her purse and told her to help herself, the temptation +had proved far too strong. Before she quite knew what she was doing she +had taken eight sovereigns; had put herself absolutely into Kitty's +power, and had run the chance of being ruined for life. Still, that +first night she slept soundly, and awoke in the morning with a sense of +bliss. She had still a little over seven sovereigns; not her own, and +yet in one sense quite her own, for Kitty had said there was no hurry +about the replacing of the money. Oh, yes, she was quite certain that no +one would find out. She opened her sleepy eyes, yawned, and saw Carrie +sitting at the window, busily employed cutting out her dress. Elma +remarked crossly at the blaze of light. + +"Oh, don't say you mind it, you old dear," cried Carrie. "I can't see +unless I have plenty of light, and it's most important how I cut this +sleeve. I mean it to be puffy and yet not too puffy, and the elbows must +fit exactly in the right place. What a pity it is, Elma, that you and I +are not the same sort of figure. I am nearly double as big as you. It +would be so convenient if you could be my model; then I might fit my +things like a glove. Ah, well, I suppose there's nothing perfect in the +world." + +Elma turned on her other side. + +"If you talk to me any more," she said, "I shall become so cross as to +be unbearable. Go on with your dress if you must, but don't speak." + +Elma returned to the land of dreams, and Carrie cut and snipped, and +basted and pinned, until it was time for her to go downstairs to +breakfast. Elma got up at her usual hour, ate her breakfast with +scarcely a remark, and started for school. When she got there the +different members of the Tug-of-war Society were hanging about the +doors. The school was not yet opened and the girls who belonged to the +society nodded to one another and whispered and smiled. Among the party +waiting at the door were Alice Denvers, Kitty Malone, and Bessie +Challoner. Gwin Harley had not yet arrived. It was never Gwin's stately +way to be either too early or too late for school; she generally +appeared on the scene, driving up in her pretty little phaeton, just as +the clock struck nine. The other girls always made way for this dainty +little turnout, and Gwin would spring carelessly to the ground, give a +direction to the smart tiger who sat behind, and who immediately took +the reins, and then, turning with a gay nod to her companions, would +enter the school with them. + +Gwin was certainly the pride of the school. The girls who were not her +absolute friends looked at her with awe, wonder, and admiration. The +girls who were her friends bragged of the fact to their companions. It +was a pleasure even to look at Gwin, for, although she never overdressed +herself, she was always so wonderfully dainty--her neat little shoes, +her lovely stockings, the fine quality of her cambric handkerchiefs, the +delicate scent which clung to them, the glossy braids of her ever +exquisitely arranged hair, and the very set of that perfectly plain +sailor hat with its band of white ribbon, were all the acme of +perfection. Oh, they all betokened wealth and taste, taste and wealth. +No wonder the girls worshiped Gwin. She never boasted of her wealth, +she never brought it prominently forward; but for all that it pervaded +her from the top of her head to the point of her pretty bronze shoes. + +Kitty now gave Gwin an earnest and longing look. There was a peculiar +expression about Kitty's face: a sort of new, thoughtful look, as though +something was worrying her and causing her to cudgel her brains to quite +a remarkable extent. Kitty Malone had never yet been affected with +shyness, nor was she shy now. Just as Gwin's carriage appeared and the +other girls made way for it as was their wont, and Elma approached quite +close to Alice, meaning to make some remark to her, what she never +afterward remembered, Kitty ran straight up to Gwin and clasped her by +the hand. + +"I want to say something to you very badly," she began. + +"How do you do, Kitty?" answered Gwin in her pleasant high-bred voice. +"You want to say something to me? But the bell has just rung; we must go +into school." + +"I mean after school," continued Kitty. "Can I walk with you during +recess?" + +"Oh, but please, Gwin," cried Elma at that point, "you promised to walk +with me to-day; don't you remember?" + +"Yes, and you promised to walk with me, Miss Harley," exclaimed a girl +of the name of Marcia Tyndal. + +"But it is so important, Gwin," pleaded Kitty, bringing that peculiar +Irish quality into her voice which it was difficult to resist. + +"Ah, now do, Gwin," she continued; "do let me walk with you just during +this recess. The others may have you for every other recess until +Christmas; but do let me be with you just for to-day." + +"I think you must, Kitty," said Gwin. "Elma, you won't mind, will you? +Marcia, you and I can have to-morrow instead of to-day; is it a +bargain?" + +"Oh, I don't mind," said Marcia Tyndal in a good natured voice, +shrugging her fat shoulders as she spoke. + +Then the girls trooped into school, prayers began, and immediately +afterward they all assembled at their different classes. + +Kitty was restless and nervous, she could not settle to her work. She +was more _distrait_ and inattentive even than usual. The younger girls, +who delighted in her, and quite prided themselves on having her in their +class, nudged her in vain. + +"Kitty," whispered one little girl quite three years Kitty Malone's +junior, "if you don't open your history book you won't have your lesson +ready when Miss Worrick comes." + +"Oh, I know all that stupid history," cried Kitty in a low voice. "Don't +bother me, Annie, asthore. I can't be teased. I have got something in +the back of my head." + +"Something in the back of your head?" whispered Annie. + +"Yes, yes; but hush, alanna! I can't let it out; it's bothering me +entirely. There, if I must look at the stupid history, I must. What part +are we doing, Mary Davies?" + +"Oh, it's about Charles the First." + +"Poor martyr! Shame to England to cut off his head!" Kitty bent over her +book, but soon her erratic fancy had started off in another direction. +She was sent to the bottom of the class when the history lesson came on, +and was looked at with growing disfavor by Miss Worrick, a particularly +painstaking and earnest young teacher. + +"Really, Miss Malone, if this sort of thing goes on I must report you," +she said. "It is pure inattention. If you wish to take any position in +the school you must make up your mind that while in school you must +work." + +"And while out of school I must play," retorted Kitty. "Ah, then, it's +little of the play I get. If I had my share of the play I could do my +share of work." + +"Come, you must not answer me," said Miss Worrick. "Now, sit down and +read up that chapter in your history. You will not be allowed to go out +during recess this morning." + +"Not go out during recess?" cried Kitty in horror; "but it's most +important. Ah, now, do let me out; just excuse me to-day, won't you? +I'll be as good as gold to-morrow, and better; but excuse me to-day; +please, please. Say you will; for I really must go. I was to meet Gwin +Harley, the darling; and it's put out she would be awfully if I wasn't +with her. You'll let me out to-day, won't you? Please say yes." + +"I do not understand you, Miss Malone. When I say a thing I mean it. +You are not to go out during recess." + +Kitty's bright face fell; the cloud which had more or less hovered +round her during the entire morning deepened. She sank into her seat +with a heavy sigh. + +"Never mind, Kitty; we all of us have to stay in sometimes," whispered +little Mary Davies. + +"Take a chocolate out of my pocket, darlin', and don't talk to me any +more," was Kitty's answer. "I am sad past bearing. Not to see Gwin when +I had arranged it all; but I will, I must! There, take a second +chocolate if you want it; they are full of cream. But just leave me to +my own thoughts for a bit. I am so worried I don't know whether I am on +my head or my heels." + +"Silence, girls--no whispering!" called the mathematical teacher, who +now came on the scene. + +Poor Kitty's morning began badly, and it certainly was destined to go on +badly. None of her lessons were prepared with the slightest care; she +went down lower and lower in class, and each teacher gave her an +imposition or some other punishment. When recess came she alone in the +whole class was required to remain in the room. + +The rest of the girls looked at her with pity. + +"She's such an old dear, although quite the idlest and most ignorant +person I ever came across," said Mary Davies to her companions. + +"Yes," whispered another little girl with fat rosy cheeks and round +eyes; "but did you ever taste such chocolate creams? Why, they must +cost a halfpenny apiece. I do love to sit next to her; she says I may +dive my hand into her pocket as often as I like." + +"Oh, she's an old love!" echoed all the girls: "but what a pity it is +that she won't learn." + +"She does not want to learn," said Mary Davies. "Learning would spoil +her; she is a pet." + +Meanwhile in the playground Gwin Harley waited in vain for Kitty to join +her. + +"Does any one know where Kitty Malone is?" she said, addressing one of +the girls in Kitty's class. + +"She is kept in for an imposition; she did not know her history, and +Miss Worrick said she was to stay in," answered Mary Davies. + +"Oh, well, I suppose I can see her another time," said Gwin. At that +moment she met Elma's anxious eyes. + +Elma was just about to dart to the side of her friend, when, to the +amazement of all the girls, Kitty walked calmly across the playground. + +"Oh Gwin, I must speak to you; it is about Alice. You know, you and +Alice are great friends. Things get worse and worse, and they are almost +past bearing. Last night I heard her sobbing in bed. She sobbed and +sobbed, and at last I could stand no more of it, and sprang out of bed, +and bent over her and said: 'Alice, is it about me you are crying?' and +she said: 'Oh, yes, Kitty, it is;' and I said, 'And why 'Oh, yes, +Kitty?' What has poor Kitty done to you?" + +"'I am not happy,' answered Alice. 'Since you came everything has +changed; you have made my home miserable to me. I don't like your ways.' + +"'Have you made up your mind never to be friends with me?' I asked. + +"'Yes,' said Alice. 'I wish you would go away.' She sat up in bed then +with her tear-stained face, and looked at me ever so earnestly. 'Tell +mother that you would rather go to some other house--that you won't stay +here. I never could stand vulgar girls, and you are one.' + +"Oh Gwin, I felt so mad. You don't think me a vulgar girl, do you?" + +"Tell me the whole," said Gwin in a low voice. + +"Oh, there is not much more. Alice was in a regular temper. She buried +her face in the clothes, and though I tried pinching her, and pulling +her, and petting her even, not another word would she utter. Now, you +must see for yourself, Gwin, that if this sort of thing goes on I shall +have to return home, and then the old dad will be fretted, and he will +think that I don't want to learn manners nor to get learning into me. Oh +dear, I don't want to fret him, although I hate England. I have just +been wondering if you would speak to Alice." + +"Yes, certainly," answered Gwin. "I--" Her words were interrupted. + +"Miss Malone, do I see you in the playground?" said a stern voice. Miss +Worrick had appeared on the scene. + +"Why, then, yes, Miss Worrick, you do. It's a fine day, isn't it; and +the air is most refreshing," said Kitty in her most impertinent tones. + +"Do you know that you have distinctly disobeyed me? I forbade you to +leave the schoolroom during recess. How dared you do so?" + +"There wasn't much daring about it. I walked to the door, opened it, and +came out. I had made a previous engagement, and it was not at all +convenient to break it. I told you so at the time, did I not?" + +For answer Miss Worrick took Kitty by the arm and led her across the +playground. + +"I must take you to Miss Sherrard," she said. "I cannot manage a +disobedient girl like you." + +She opened a side door, and, still holding Kitty by the arm, led her +down a long passage and into a small room, where she desired her to wait +while she fetched the head-mistress. + +Miss Sherrard was a little woman, but she had a native dignity which is +beyond and above all mere personal appearance. She had a keen and +commanding eye, a somewhat pale face, an upright little figure. She was +not only short in stature, but slight; nevertheless, there was not a +mistress in the great school who did not hold her in awe as well as +admiration, and not a girl, with the exception, perhaps, of Kitty +Malone, who did not do her reverence. + +When the door was shut behind Kitty, she drummed impatiently on the bare +mahogany table near which she had been placed, then walked to the window +and looked out. From her position she could catch a glimpse of Gwin +Harley pacing up and down the playground with Elma Lewis. She saw Alice +come up and talk to Gwin; she noticed that Gwin and Elma paused, then +that Alice slipped to the other side of Gwin, and the three walked +slowly up and down. As they walked they talked. Alice nodded her head +once or twice; Elma made emphatic grimaces; Gwin alone looked quiet, +calm, and stately. + +"They are talking about me," thought the Irish girl, and an angry +feeling rose in her heart. "Is it for this I have left the dear old dad, +and the beautiful home, and the animals, and Aunt Bridget, and Aunt +Honora? Oh, is it for this I have left dear Old Ireland, may her heart +be blessed! to come here to be slighted, to be made little of, to be +joked at! Am I Kitty Malone, or am I somebody else? Oh! my heart will +break, my heart will break!" + +"Miss Malone, I am sorry to hear this of you," said a very calm, very +distinct, and withal very kind voice, just at Kitty's back. Kitty turned +abruptly, and said aloud: + +"Oh, and did you overhear me?" She then involuntarily dropped a courtesy +to the head-mistress. + +Miss Sherrard shut the door behind her. + +"I am sorry," she began, "to learn from Miss Worrick that you are +showing insubordination and disobedience." + +"Why, then, now, and won't you let me tell my own story in my own way?" +said Kitty. + +In spite of herself, Miss Sherrard gave an involuntary smile. It soon +vanished, but Kitty had caught the glint in the eye and the tremble +round the lips. "Why, then I see at a glance that you have the kind +heart," she said; "you thought to keep it in, but I saw it breaking out +just then. You'll let me tell my own story, won't you?" + +"That seems fair enough," said Miss Sherrard. She seated herself as she +spoke on one of the bare, comfortless chairs, and looked full up at +Kitty. + +Kitty was dressed according to Rule IV. of the Tug-of-war Society. She +wore a decidedly fashionable dress, the sleeves well puffed out at the +shoulders, fitting nicely at the elbows, and with ruffles of lace, real +lace, round the wrists. Round Kitty's throat also there were ruffles of +lace; the neck of her dress was cut a little low, showing the soft, full +contour of her exquisitely-curved throat. Her waist was clasped with a +belt of solid silver, and in front she wore a great bunch of +cabbage-roses. The cabbage-rose has a scent which, when once it assails +the nostrils, can never afterward be forgotten. Miss Sherrard, in spite +of herself, gave a little sniff. + +Quick as lightning Kitty saw it, and detached the bunch of roses from +her belt. + +"Now, will you have them?" she said. "Ah, do now, just to please me, +Kitty Malone; they came all the way from Old Ireland this morning. Stay, +I'll pin them into the front of your dress. Hold easy a moment dear +woman, and you'll have as neat a little bunch as ever you clapped your +two eyes on." + +Miss Sherrard could not help once again letting that ghost of a smile +play round her lips, and then vanish. + +"But really," she said--"oh, thank you for the roses; yes, they are very +sweet; yes, delicious! She bent her head and sniffed quite audibly. + +"Ah, then, aren't they refreshing, and aren't they melting the anger +down in your heart? Say they are now--say they are. You see you never +had an out-and-out wild Irish girl to manage before. Well, and what is +it you want with me? I'll be as civil as you please, and as willing to +listen to the words of wisdom, if only you'll let me first tell my own +story." + +"It is only fair that you should be allowed to tell your own tale," +said Miss Sherrard; "but please understand that I am very angry. Miss +Worrick's story has amazed me. Do you know. Kitty Malone, of what you +are accused?" + +"Well, I do, and I don't; but I should like to hear the crime spoken of +by your pretty lips. What is it? Something black of course; black things +are always laid to the door of Kitty Malone." + +"The crime, Miss Malone, is the very grave sin of disobedience. You must +know that in a great school of this kind, if there were not perfect +obedience there would be no order at all." + +"True for you, it looks like it; but then, as far as I can see--and I +have watched all the girls pretty closely of late--I am the only black +sheep. Now, I should think that one black sheep in a great big orderly +place of this kind would make a sort of diversion. You would all be +after her, and joking at her, and thinking which of you could get her +under control. Well, I am the black sheep, and I suppose I am sorry." + +"Don't talk any more, Kitty; listen to me." + +"Yes; what is it?" + +"You have been disobedient; you were very inattentive over your history +lesson, not knowing it at all. Miss Worrick says, as a matter of fact, +you did not even trouble to open your book, and when the time came for +you to go through your lesson you were not able to answer a single +question. For this extreme carelessness she desired you to stay in the +schoolroom during morning recess. She said you pleaded hard that she +would excuse you, not liking to take the punishment which you richly +deserved; but Miss Worrick, very justly insisted on her word being +obeyed. What then, was her astonishment to see you in the playground +walking calmly up and down with Gwin Harley." + +"Yes, dear; and what else could you expect?" answered Kitty. + +"What else could I expect? I don't understand." + +"Well, was it likely now that I would stay in that close, stifling +schoolroom when the sun was shining and there was a bird on a tree +outside singing to me as loud as ever it could? And I had made an +arrangement with Gwin Harley to walk up and down with her during recess, +and the darling girl had put off two others for me, and was waiting for +me. Don't you think it was about natural that I should disobey Miss +Worrick, whom I never cared twopence for, and go out to Gwin Harley, +whom I love? Of course I knew I was disobedient, and I supposed she +would punish me; but I didn't think she would have me up for you to +lecture me." + +"You behaved very badly indeed," said Miss Sherrard; "and you are now +talking in an extremely silly way." + +Kitty bowed her head; the light went out of her eyes, her face turned +pale. + +"What punishment will you invent to torture me with?" she said at last +in a low voice. "I suppose I have done wrong, and I am willing to take +the punishment. What is it?" + +"Of course you must be punished," said the head-mistress; "it would +never do to allow disobedience is the school. You see, Kitty--" + +"Oh, bless you, bless you, for calling me by my Christian name," +muttered Kitty Malone. + +"Kitty, I am inclined to take you into my confidence." + +"Are you, indeed? I declare you're an old dear!" + +"You have come to school to learn, have you not?" + +"Not a bit of it," answered Kitty; "I came to school to please the old +dad." + +"Your father?" + +"Yes, the dear old dad, the dearest, the best in the world." + +"But what did he send you here for?" + +"Well, I suppose to get knowledge and manners. Ah, bad luck to them! and +I suppose also to tame me down a bit. He said he never could manage that +at Castle Malone." + +Miss Sherrard once more gave that faint involuntary smile. + +"Your father sent you here," she said, "to put you under discipline. +While you are in this school, my dear girl, you must obey me, and also +the other teachers. If you are disobedient the other girls will be +disobedient, and then where should we all be?" + +"It would be a lark!" muttered Kitty, with sparkling eyes. + +"Don't interrupt, and please listen. I should be very sorry to send you +back to Castle Malone in disgrace. I should be sorry to have to write to +your father in order to tell him that his Kitty, whom he loves--his +bright, pretty, lovable daughter--can never learn manners nor +accomplishments, nor be tamed in the very least. There are from six to +seven hundred girls in this school, who all now know about your very +daring act of disobedience. Were I not to punish you they would be +astonished, and some of them might even go to the length of copying your +behavior. You see this for yourself, don't you?" + +"Oh, I see it plain enough," answered Kitty; "plain as a pikestaff. +What's the punishment to be?" + +Miss Sherrard hesitated. Once more she looked at Kitty; Kitty's eyes +were as bright as stars. + +"You need not be afraid," said the pupil in an encouraging voice. "I am +nothing of a coward; I'll take anything in reason. Is it a flogging you +are thinking of ordering for me?" + +"Oh, no; we never flog in this school," said Miss Sherrard in a shocked +voice. + +"Why, then, if it is something in the shape of learning a lesson it will +go cruel with me. I don't care for learning, and----" + +"I am afraid, Kitty, that I must give you the kind of punishment which +all the school may know about. All the school now knows of your +disobedience, and it must also be well aware of your punishment." + +"Good gracious! this sounds exciting," answered Kitty. "I am to have a +punishment that all the school will know about." + +"Yes, it is this. To-morrow morning, just before recess, you are to go +up to Miss Worrick, and tell her before the entire school that you are +sorry you disobeyed her; you are then to offer to stay in during the +play hour." + +"If that's all," said Kitty, "it is not much of a bother. I am to say I +am sorry, and I am to stay in to-morrow. You won't object to my +bringing--" + +"I'll hear of no conditions," answered Miss Sherrard, starting to her +feet. "Go away now, my dear girl, and please remember that your father +sent you here to learn, that I trust you will learn, and that you will +also endeavor to be good to--to please me, Kitty." + +Kitty's eyes filled with sudden tears. + +"You are very kind," she murmured. "I know I should soon learn to love +you. You wouldn't mind letting me give you a hug, would you?" + +"I will certainly kiss you, dear, but no demonstration, please. Kitty, I +know you have a warm heart; but don't let it lead you into mischief. +There is much for you to learn in England, as I doubt not there would be +much for an English girl to learn in your country." + +"Ah, but it is the dearest land in all the world," said Kitty. + +"I am sure it is to you; but say no more now. I will speak to Miss +Worrick; she will expect you to do what I have desired to-morrow." + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +PADDY WHEEL-ABOUT. + + +The next day there was a whisper through the school that Kitty Malone +was about to do public penance. She had already made more or less +sensation in that part of the school where she worked. In her own class +the girls, as has already been stated, adored her; but the other girls +also looked at her with interest. They admired her dress, her free, +careless gait, her upright, erect figure, and the bright, happy glance +in her eyes. They all thought her charming, and the expression of her +face was often so comical, the shrug of her shoulders so ludicrous, that +at a glance she set the girls tittering. + +On this special occasion she sat down between her favorite Mary Davies +and Agnes Moore, and whispered to the former: + +"Ah, then, darling, it is not your place I'll be taking to-day; sure my +head is bothered entirely. But I have got all kinds of nice things about +me. Do you know that I sat up late last night putting a pocket in the +left side of my dress as well as the right, so now the girl on each side +of me can have as many chocolates as she has a fancy for? You dive in +your hand whenever you feel the least bit inclined for a sweetie, Agnes; +and you do the same, Mary Davies; and, Mary, you might pass one on now +and then to that poor, little, thin Katie Trafford at the other end of +the class." + +It was certainly impossible for a girl like Kitty Malone not to be +popular; and the other girls valued her, and thought themselves highly +privileged to be in the same class with her, dunce as she was. + +Kitty had learned her lessons a little better, but the thought of the +public confessions which she was about to make rested heavy on her soul. +It made her restless; and her lessons, although they had been better +prepared, gained her no more marks than on the previous day. + +"I wonder how I ought to do it," she whispered more than once to Agnes +Moore. + +"To do what?" asked Agnes, who was a very earnest little student, and +whose dream was that she might get a remove at the end of the term. +"About what, Kitty? I wish you would not interrupt me." + +"Oh, bother it, dear. Have a chocolate, won't you? What are your lessons +compared to my perplexities? What ought I to say? Ought I to drop a +courtesy or go on my knees? There was an old romance which I found in +the garret at home; and when the heroine did wrong she always dropped +upon her knees and folded her hands, and raised her eyes toward +heaven--is that the way I ought to do it?" + +"Don't, don't, Kitty; you'll make me laugh, and then I'll be sent down. +Please, don't talk to me any more." + +Kitty turned her attention to Mary Davies. + +"Would you, Mary, go on one knee or on two? If you dip your hand down to +the very bottom of my pocket, you'll find some caramels--some people +like them better than chocolate creams." + +"You must not talk to me any more or I'll get into disgrace," whispered +Mary in a low, frightened voice. "Look, Miss Worrick has come into the +room. Now do open your history book, there's a dear girl." + +Kitty bent her curly head over her book. She was really interested in +the cruel fate of the martyr-king, but at that moment she saw nothing +but the picture she was conjuring up each moment before her excited +imagination--the tall girl asking pardon of the little teacher. Was the +girl to go on her knees? + +"It really would be better," thought Kitty. "I'd be lower than her then. +It does seem ridiculous that the big should ask pardon of the little, +and--Oh, Miss Worrick, I beg your pardon; were you speaking to me?" + +"I was, Kitty. Stand up; I am just going to lecture." + +The history lesson began. Kitty did no better than yesterday. It came to +an end. The mathematical teacher took her class, and then the great bell +was rung for recess. Just at the moment when its last note echoed +through the vast school Miss Worrick came a step forward into the room, +and held up her hand to arrest the movement of the classes. She looked +at Kitty with an expectant expression. Kitty returned her gaze, and said +nothing. Kitty Malone felt glued to her seat. For a moment every nerve +seemed paralyzed, her face became crimson, her eyes filled with ready +tears, she looked down, the great tears splashed upon the desk before +her. At that instant she encountered the vindictive and delighted +glance of Alice Denvers. + +Kitty had confided all her trouble to Alice on the previous night, and +Alice at the time had pretended to give a little sympathy; but where was +her sympathy now? + +"I hate her," thought the Irish girl. "No one else would be glad to see +me so miserable." + +"You have something to say to me, have you not, Miss Malone?" said Miss +Worrick in her stiff, precise voice. + +Kitty staggered to her feet. + +"I don't want to say it a bit," she grumbled. + +"Come forward, my dear; come forward." + +Kitty left the protection of her desk, and staggered across the room. +Miss Worrick had mounted a little platform, all the other teachers stood +waiting, and the girls waited also. Kitty looked round, the eyes in each +face seemed multiplied fourfold--the room seemed to be all eyes. She +longed for the mountains, for her father, for Laurie, for the old home. +She hated the school, she hated England. Why was she to be publicly +disgraced? + +"Oh, it is very wrong indeed to ask me to do it," she cried. Then the +following words rushed out: "Miss Worrick, I am sorry I disobeyed you +yesterday, and I'll stay in class to-day. Yes, I will stay; but I hate +every one of you, and I hate England, and I wish I was back again in +dear Old Ireland. Oh, dear! oh, dear! oh, dear! Why was I ever sent into +this horrid, cold, freezing land? Oh, my heart is broken! my heart is +broken!" + +Kitty's sobs were distinctly heard across the great schoolroom. She +returned to her seat. Miss Worrick with a wave of her hand dismissed the +rest of the girls. Kitty bent her head low down upon the desk before +her, and sobbed louder and louder. At last she felt a hand resting +lightly on her shoulder. + +"I know I did it dreadfully, Miss Worrick," she said; "but it was so +bad. Why did you make me, why did you make me?" + +"There, Kitty, it is over now, and you will never disobey your teacher +again as long as you live," said a kind voice, and Kitty raised her eyes +to see, not the face of Miss Worrick, but that of the head-mistress. + +"Oh, Miss Sherrard, how could you make me do it?" she sobbed. "It wasn't +in me. None of the Malones could beg anybody's pardon, and I couldn't go +on my knees when the moment came because they felt stiff, they had no +joints in them. I could not do it properly; no, I could not." + +"You did it, dear, but not very well. You did it, however, and you have +learned your lesson. Now come with me into my private sitting-room. You +and I will have lunch together, and I will excuse you from any more +lessons to-day." + +Kitty Malone never forgot that next hour. Miss Sherrard was an ideal +head-mistress. She had the keenest sympathy with girls. In her long +experience she had met girls of every shade of character, the bold, the +ambitious, the timorous, the idle, the frivolous, the noble, the +earnest. She knew all about the Christian girl as well as the pagan +girl; all about the girl who had a terrible battle with her own evil pro +pensities, and the girl whose nature was so amiable, so gentle, so +sweet, that life would be comparatively easy for her. But although she +had been head-mistress of the great Middleton School now for several +years, she had never before met quite such an extraordinary specimen as +Kitty Malone. Where, however, others would see nothing but a spirit of +frivolity, a love of admiration, dress, pleasure, in Kitty, Miss +Sherrard peeped below the surface and discovered some really noble +qualities. She determined to be very gentle to this wild, willful +girl--to take her, in short, as she was. + +"Oh, I wonder you care to speak to me," said Kitty, when her sobs having +ceased, she stood looking half-repentant, half-rebellious in Miss +Sherrard's private room. + +"You are not to be the subject of our conversation at all for the +present, Kitty," said Miss Sherrard. "Lunch is ready, and you must be +hungry. Would you like to go into my room--it is just next to this--and +wash your hands and brush out your hair?" + +Kitty looked at Miss Sherrard's small and beautifully-kept hands. She +was fastidious to a remarkable degree about her personal appearance. + +"I dare say my hair is somewhat untidy," she said. "I might as well take +a squint at myself in the glass. I never like to look ugly. Is my nose +very red, Miss Sherrard?" + +"Never mind about your appearance," said Miss Sherrard, who could not +help feeling slightly annoyed at what she considered such a very +irrelevant remark. + +"I expect I am a fright," said Kitty standing up and talking half to +herself and half for the benefit of the head-mistress. "Crying always +spoils me. Now, I knew a girl at home, and the more she cried the +prettier she got. She used to let her tears roil down her cheeks in +great drops, and never attempted to wipe them away, and her nose never +got red, and her eyes only got bigger and quite dewy. Now, as to me when +I cry, my nose----" + +"Kitty, will you please remember that I am waiting for lunch," +interrupted Miss Sherrard. + +"Oh, I beg your pardon, ma'am," answered Kitty. She ran into the next +room, examined herself critically in the glass, arranged her hair, +dipped her hands into hot water, and came back looking spruce, bright, +pretty, and once more restored to the highest good-humor. + +"I said yesterday that I would love you, ma'am," she said, as she seated +herself at the other side of the appetizing board. "Oh! what a dear +little pie! I wonder is it pigeon pie" + +"No, it is lamb pie," answered Miss Sherrard. "Will you help yourself?" + +Kitty cut herself a generous slice. + +"I like all sorts of good things," she said. "I am sure I was meant to +do nothing in life but dress well, and look pretty, and have the nicest +food to eat, and----" + +"How dare you?" interrupted Miss Sherrard. Her words coming firm and +strong, the expression on her kind face arrested the idle girl's silly +remarks. + +"What do you mean?" asked Kitty. + +"I mean this, Miss Malone, that you are a girl with a considerable +amount of ability----" + +"Oh, now that I have not got." + +"With a considerable amount of ability," continued Miss Sherrard, "and +with a great many talents." + +"Talents! I thought talents meant genius. Now, I have always and always +been told that I was a dunce of the dunces. It's not joking me you are, +is it, Miss Sherrard?" + +"No, Kitty; I am in very sober earnest. You have been sent to me to make +something of you." + +"Well, my dear woman, I am afraid you won't make much. The fact is, I am +wild through and through. I come of a wild stock. I wish you could see +us at home, and Laurie, and----" + +"You must tell me about your home afterward," said Miss Sherrard. "But +now I have something to say about yourself." + +As she spoke, Miss Sherrard drew her cup of coffee to the side of the +table, leaned back, and looked fixedly into the bright and lovely face +of the girl who sat opposite her. + +"You have read your Bible, have you not?" she said. + +"My Bible!" cried Kitty. "Yes; I read it every day." + +"I am glad to hear that." + +"Why, you don't suppose we are a lot of heathens at Castle Malone, do +you, Miss Sherrard? Father has prayers every morning, and we all troop +in, every one of us, into the big hall. Oh, I wish you could see the +hall, and the pictures of my ancestors, and----" + +"Afterward you shall tell me about them," interrupted Miss Sherrard. "So +you do read your Bible every day. Then I dare say you happen to know +the beautiful story, or rather parable, spoken by Christ himself about +the talents?" + +"Yes, I love that story; only I don't think it applies specially to me, +for I have not got any." + +"Have not you? Perhaps I can find that you have." + +Kitty gazed at her mistress very earnestly. + +"What is it I am good in?" she asked after a pause. "Is it my English? +Bless you, they tell me it's awfully Irish." + +"It certainly is, Kitty." + +"Then, I don't know any music, although I can sing and whistle. Oh, I +can whistle anything. There's not an air that Laurie plays (it's he that +has the genius for music, bless the boy)--but there's not an air he +plays that I can't whistle it right up and down, and with variations +too." + +"Yes, my dear, yes; but I was not thinking of this special talent. Now, +let me tell you something that you have got." + +"What? Please speak." + +"You have plenty of money." + +"I never thought that was a talent," cried Kitty. + +"I should think it a very great and responsible talent. You have been +given that money to do something for God. He wants you to use it for +Him. Then, also, you have a very bright, attractive, loving manner." + +"Oh, I feel every word I say. It's not manner," said Kitty. "You don't +suppose I'm a hypocrite, do you?" + +"No, I think on the contrary you are very sincere. We will now admit +that you have got two talents; you have got money and you have got a +pleasant manner. I think also that you have got a third, and I may be +able to prove to you that you have got a fourth." + +"Dear me, this is most entertaining!" exclaimed Kitty. "So I have really +got two talents, and you think I have more. What is the third?" + +"I don't wish to make you vain; but you have--yes, I must tell you--a +remarkably pretty face." + +"Ah, now, what a darling you are! I always thought you were sweet. What +part of me do you admire most, the eyes or the mouth? I have the real +Irish eyes I know--gentian-blue, yes, that's the color--and my +eyelashes--aren't they long?" + +"We need not discuss your beauty piece by piece," said Miss Sherrard. +"You are pretty, and I am willing to admit it. Now, a bright face like +yours, with an attractive manner, is a gift. Then, besides, you +have--you will be astonished when I say this--lots of becoming dress, +which adds to the charm of your appearance. Kitty, if you were all you +might be--if you would use that money which God has given you, that +beauty which God has given you, that attractive manner which God has +given you, all for His service--why, you could do a great deal in the +world. You could make it a better place, a brighter place, a happier +place. Now, my dear child, your father has trusted you to me. He wrote +to me a great deal about you before you came to Middleton School----" + +"Dear old dad!" cried Kitty. + +"He loves you with all his heart." + +"I should think so, the darling blessed man--may the saints preserve +him!" + +"As your father feels so strongly about you, and as I promised him to +do what I could for his child, will you help me, Kitty? Will you +remember that you are equipped for the battle of life much more bravely, +much more strongly than most of the other girls in Middleton School? Use +your beauty for Him, dear; use your attractive manner for Him." + +"You make me feel very solemn," said Kitty. She rose. "I will try and +think about it," she said. "I wish I was not quite such a giddypate; but +I'll try and think about it." + +Miss Sherrard kissed her. + +"And now I want you to do something more," she said. "You won't be able +to be a better girl than you were in the past if you don't pray to God +to help you; and when you pray, Kitty, ask Him to teach you to restrain +your feelings a little, not to let them all rush to the surface, to keep +a little back. Thus you will gain strength of character, and--and be all +the better for it, my child." + +"You are very good to me," said Kitty. "I don't mind what I do for those +I love. I suppose now you would wish me to learn my lessons perfectly +every day?" + +"I certainly should." + +"And to--to turn poor little Agnes Moore from the head of her class?" + +"Well, Kitty, I cannot say anything about that. II you do better work +than Agnes Moore you will get to the head of the class and she will go +down; but I doubt your being able to do so, for Agnes is a very clever +and a very diligent little pupil. But I want you, dear, soon to get out +of that class, for it is a great deal too young for you. I want you to +be with girls of your own age. We are yet one month to the end of the +term. By the end of term I want to be able to tell you that you have got +a remove. And now, dear, good-by. Remember, I shall watch you, and--yes, +I shall pray for you." + +"You are very good to me," repeated Kitty; and she walked out of Miss +Sherrard's presence with her head lowered, and a mist before her eyes. + +For the next few days Kitty was strangely thoughtful. She did not speak +nearly so much as usual, she felt inclined to go away by herself, and +she was much puzzled about her talents. Miss Sherrard's words had made +quite a deep impression. She learned her lessons with care, and had +every chance, so her teachers told her, of a remove at the end of term. +Even Alice found less to say against her. Kitty began to look on her +school life as something roseate and delightful; but all these things +were to come to a speedy end. + +On a certain afternoon she got home to find Alice out and Mrs. Denvers +seated in the drawing-room with a great basket of mending before her. + +"Oh, what a lot of work! Would you like me to help you?" said Kitty. + +"Very much, dear; but what kept you so late? Oh, here is a letter for +you." + +"A letter!" cried Kitty eagerly. "Oh, it is from Laurie. Hurrah! +hurrah!" + +She forgot all about her offer to help Mrs. Denvers with her darning, +tossed the letter in the air two or three times, and then sank down on +the nearest ottoman to read it. These were the words on which her eyes +rested: + +"DEAR OLD KITTERKINS: I have got into the greatest bother of a mess that +ever assailed a poor gossoon, and if you can't help me, old girleen, +well, I shall be done brown, as the saying is. The whole matter concerns +Paddy Wheel-about. The poor creature has been getting queerer and +queerer lately, and father has been ever so much worried about him. I +didn't know a word of this, mind you, at the time, but learnt it +afterwards; and it makes my bit of a frolic all the blacker, I can tell +you. Father got Dr. Milligan to go and see Paddy in his cabin at the top +of Sleeve Nohr, and the doctor said that the poor old boy was going off +his head as fast as he could, and we must be careful not to give him any +shock. Well, but to come to my part of it. You know that coat of his, +and what diversion we have had out of it from time to time? You made one +of the patches yourself, don't you remember, Kitty? We always told him +that in each patch he had concealed a sovereign. Well, hot as the days +are, he has been wearing that coat, and a figure of fun he did look. The +Mahoney boys and Pat and I thought we would take a rise out of him; so +one night when he was asleep we stole up to his lair and got hold of the +precious coat. We bundled it up and were off with it. We had to cross +the lake, in the old boat with a hole in the bottom, in order to get +home in time, and what do you think happened? Up came a squall, the boat +was upset, and Paddy's coat sank to the bottom of the lake. We swam to +the shore and thought it would be an easy matter to fish up the old coat +on the following morning; but although we dragged and dragged, and Pat +and I both dived down to the bottom a good dozen of times, the coat had +sunk in the deep mud and we could not find it, no nor a sign of it. +Well, of course, our one hope was that no one should know; but what was +our horror to be confronted by no less a person than Wheel-about +himself. You know that craze he has about never speaking. Well, he spoke +to us and pretty sharp too, and told us he knew we had taken the coat, +and didn't he look thunders and daggers at us, and we funked it so +awfully--yes, I will confess it, Kits, your brave Laurie funked it like +anything--for Wheel-about did really look like a roadman; at last there +was no help for it--we had to out with the truth. Oh, didn't he raise a +yell louder than anything you ever heard, and then I told him that if I +could not get back the coat I would give him ten pounds for certain by +Saturday next. He said if I did he would lie quiet for a bit and not +tell the governor, so I want you like a blessed girleen to lend me the +money. Send it off the very instant you read this; for if you don't the +saints alone know what will happen. We are certain to be sent to a +school in England, at least I am. From what you tell me, Kitterkins, of +that place, I should think it would break our hearts to smithereens. Now +look sharp and send the money. Your loving brother, + +"LAURIE." + +"Oh, dear!" exclaimed Kitty starting to her feet. "Do you mind my going +out at once, Mrs. Denvers?" + +"Certainly not, my love. Tea will be ready at five o'clock. Are you +going far?" + +"Only to Elma Lewis' house. I want to see her; it is awfully important." + +"But Elma lives quite two miles from here." + +"Oh, that does not matter. I am sure to find my way. It is most urgent," +said Kitty. + +She rushed out of the room, pinned on her hat, and a moment later was +walking down the street as fast as she could go. She crossed a field +and a common, and after a time got into that part of the town where Elma +lived. By dint of asking half a dozen children and three or four +policemen she at last reached Constantine Road, and presently found the +right house. She ran up the steps and sounded a rattling rat-tat on the +knocker. The moment she did so a girl with a mop of untidy red hair +peeped up at her from the area below. + +"Come and open the door at once," called Kitty. "Why do you keep a lady +waiting?" + +The girl soon appeared, tying on her cap and apron as she did so. + +"I thought as they was all out for the day," she began, "--Oh, miss, I +beg your pardon." + +Kitty, notwithstanding her rather rude words, presented a very charming +spectacle as she stood on the steps. She was dressed not only in the +height of the fashion, but wore such a perfectly captivating little +toque at the back of her head as to fire the fancy and take the little +wit which she possessed out of Mrs. Lewis' maid-of-all-work. + +Maggie had never seen anything so captivating nor so ravishing. A wild +desire to make a toque like it to put on her own towzled locks on the +following Sunday caused her to stare so hard at Kitty with her mouth +wide open that she did not hear a word that young lady was saying. + +"Are you in a dream?" asked Kitty Malone. "I want to see Miss Elma +Lewis. Is she at home?" + +"Miss Helma? No, miss, that she ain't," replied Maggie. "Oh, I beg your +pardon, miss; but it's it's the bonnet at the top of your head." + +"My bonnet?" said Kitty. + +"Yes, miss. Oh, I do beg your pardon, miss--I was took all of a heap. +Yes, miss, I'm attending now. But oh, if you would just turn your head a +little." + +"You must be mad," said Kitty. But her eyes began to sparkle. + +"Do listen to me," she continued; "it's most important. Is Miss Elma not +at home?" + +"No, miss; she's out for the day, and so is the missus and Miss Carrie. +They're all out a-pleasuring in their different ways, and they has left +me at home to drudge. I'm the household drudge, miss, and no wonder I'm +took with anything so pretty. Do you mind telling me, miss, if them +wiolets is real?" + +"Oh, the violets in my toque--are those what you are staring at?" said +Kitty. "Well, now, I'll tell you what I'll do--I'll give you the whole +bunch if you'll let me come into the house and write a letter to Elma, +and if you'll further faithfully promise that you will give it to her +the instant she comes home." + +"To be sure I will, miss. Come right along in. Oh, what a beautiful +young lady you is!" + +"Every one tells me I am beautiful," thought Kitty. "It really is very +pleasant. I am more flattered here than I was in Ireland. People told me +there I had a face like cream and roses, or cream and strawberries, and +father used to say that I had washed it in the fairies' dew, and Laurie +would tell me that I was a bouncing girl and no mistake; but then Aunt +Honora was always saying: 'Kitty dear, beauty is only skin deep, and +don't be set up by it, child. Handsome is that handsome does, Kitty.' +Oh, how she would deave me with that old proverb. But here they seem to +think beauty is a talent, and I ought to be desperately proud of it. Oh, +faith, but why do I think of these things when my precious duck of a +Laurie is in the mess he has got into. He go to England to break his +heart, the darling! Not a bit of it; not while his Kitty has her wits +about her." + +Meanwhile Maggie conducted this ravishing and welcome visitor into the +tiny sitting-room, furnished her with pen, ink, and paper, and then +began to hover about near the door in order to get another view of the +lovely cap. + +Kitty bent her head over the sheet of paper and indited a letter in hot +and furious haste: + +"DEAR ELMA: I am so sorry, but I must ask you to return that eight +pounds to me immediately. I want it for Laurie. He has got into trouble +and requires it; so don't keep me waiting a single minute if you can +help it. I am so sorry you are out; but will you bring it to me the +instant you return home? It is of the most vital importance. I am in +dreadful trouble, and nothing else will save Laurie. Yours in great +haste, KITTY MALONE." + +Having written the letter, Kitty looked round for an envelope; Maggie +also searched to right and left, but could not find one. + +"But it will be all right, miss," she said. "I'll lay it just as it is +flat out on the table, and Miss Helma will see it the moment she comes +in." + +"Thank you," answered Kitty. "And now I must go. Be sure you give it to +her her the instant she returns, and tell her to come straight to me +with the money, for I must send it off to-night whatever happens. It is +a money transaction; and you understand, don't you? What is your name?" + +"Maggie, miss." + +"Well, you understand, Maggie, that any transaction connected with money +is very important." + +"Like the Bank of England, miss?" + +"Yes, to be sure, and--" + +"Oh, miss, forgive me; but you promised me them wiolets." + +"To be sure I did." + +Kitty snatched them from her toque, flung them to Maggie, who caught +them in an ecstacy, and a moment later was running home as fast as she +could. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +IN CARRIE'S BEDROOM. + + +Of the Lewis family the first who came home that special evening was +Carrie. She walked straight into the little sitting-room, where Kitty +Malone's letter lying on top of the blotter immediately attracted her +attention. It need not be said that she instantly read it, and not only +once but twice. + +"Ha! ha! Elma, I have got you into my power at last," she said to +herself. "So that accounts for the money. Now, what did you borrow it +from that queer Irish girl for? But now that I know a thing or two. I +may be able to draw on you to a considerable extent. Return it! not +you--you are not likely to; but I think I'll be able to frighten you. I +shall certainly do my utmost." + +It will be seen from these remarks that Carrie was by no means an +amiable girl. She ran up to her room, took off her hat, and surveyed +herself in the pale blue dress which had been purchased with some of +poor Kitty's money. She then returned to the sitting-room, and folding +up the letter, deliberately put it into her pocket. As she was doing so +Maggie came in to lay the tea. + +"Oh lor! Miss Carrie," cried the maid-of-all-work as she spread the +not-too-clean cloth upon the table, "whatever 'as become of that bit of +writin' that was lyin' atop of the blotter here?" + +"What bit of writing?" asked Carrie, turning calmly round and surveying +her. + +"Oh, a letter miss; I don't know what was in it, but it was a money +transaction, as important as the Bank of England, and it was to be give +to Miss Helma the very instant she come 'ome. Didn't you see it, miss, +when you come in?" + +"No, I didn't," said Carrie promptly. "I saw no letter of any kind. +Here's the blotter, there is nothing on it. It may have got between the +folds, however." She took up the thick pad of blotting-paper and shook +it, but no letter dropped out. + +"There," she said. "I have not the least doubt that Fido jumped on the +table and took it up and ate it." + +"Oh lor! miss, you don't think so?" + +"I should not be surprised. Fido can never resist paper; he is always +pulling it about and chewing it." + +Maggie looked frantically under the table for even stray pieces of the +letter, but she could not find any. + +"If he had ate it," she said at last, fixing Carrie with a very +determined stare--"if he had ate it he would have left some bits about. +I don't believe it; I believe you 'as took it Miss Carrie. Oh, miss, for +shame; and it was as important as the Bank of England--a money +transaction, miss, what ought not to be trifled with. I can't read +writin', though I can read books fair enough; but the young lady was +awful put about." + +"What young lady?" asked Carrie. "You had better tell me everything." + +"Oh, it was that Irish young lady, Miss Malone. She come here with the +most beautiful 'at on (no, it was wot they calls a talk), and the +wiolets in it they might 'av growed, I could a'most smell 'em; and she +come in distracted like, and writ the letter, and told me I was to give +it to Miss Helma the very moment she returned, and that Miss Helma was +to take her the money to-night--what money is more than I can tell, for +I didn't think Miss Helma ever had any. And she said it was an important +transaction. And I said, 'Is it like the Bank of England, miss?' and she +said, 'Yes, to be sure.' Why, Miss Carrie, you have not gone and hid the +letter, 'ave you? That would be real mean of you." + +"Look here," said Carrie; "what did you say about those violets?" + +"Why, she gave 'em to me, miss; she took 'em out of her cap, and she +give 'em to me, and I was to give the letter to Miss Helma. It was a +fair and honest bargain, and I must keep my part of it miss." + +"Would you like some roses to put with the violets?" said Carrie, making +a careful calculation. + +"Roses, miss? That would be prime, and very seasonable, wouldn't they +miss?" + +"Yes, violets and roses look very pretty together, and I'll pin them +into your hat and furbish it up. And, look here, Maggie, you can go out +with your young man on Sunday. I'll manage it--I can. I will stay at +home." + +"Oh, Miss Carrie, you don't mean it?" + +"Yes, I do. I'll manage it; but I'll do it only on a condition." + +"What is that miss?" + +"That you don't every ask me another question with regard to that +letter, and that you never, never on any account breathe a word of it to +Elma. If you do, why----" + +"Oh, Miss, it don't seem fair." + +Poor honest Maggie walked to the window and struggled for a few minutes +with her temptation. The thought, however, of roses to add to the +violets, the thought also of Joe, whom she dearly loved, to walk with +her on the following Sunday, proved far too seductive. She struggled +with her enemy for a few minutes, and then she fell once and for all. + +"I'll have the roses, Miss Carrie. I can't resist them and the thought +of Joe on Sunday. Joe is so passionate loving, miss, I can't resist +'im." And then Maggie rushed out of the room. + +She flew to her attic, threw herself by the side of her bed and burst +into sobs. + +"But I oughtn't to 'ave done it," she said several times--"I oughtn't to +'ave done it. If it worn't for the roses and for Joe I'd 'ave stood up +to her; but as it is I was too tempted. But all the same I oughtn't to +have done it--no, I oughtn't to 'ave done it!" + +Meanwhile Carrie up in her bedroom was thinking hard. Here indeed was a +revelation! So Elma possessed eight pounds, or nearly eight--for Carrie +knew that her blue dress, and the lobster, and the lettuces, and the +stout had not cost a great deal of that valuable sum of money. + +"At the present moment," she concluded, making a careful computation in +her mind, for she was a smart enough girl in certain ways--"at the +present moment Elma must possess the sum of seven pounds or thereabouts." +What in the world did that Irish girl lend it to her for? What an utter +fool she must have been! But as to Elma's paying it back! as to Elma +getting rid of those riches--Carrie thought she saw her way of +preventing that. In order to do so, however, it was all-important that +Elma should not see poor Kitty's passionate little appeal to her; for +although Elma was anything but an amiable girl, Carrie was certain that +mere fright would make her return the money. + +Carrie stayed some time in her room; she was thinking out a plan. How +could she prevent Elma returning the money to Kitty Malone? She +considered rapidly. Never before had she felt so full of energy and of +resource; it suddenly occurred to her as extremely unlikely that Elma +would carry about so much money on her person. Suppose she, Carrie, had +a thorough good hunt for it now on the spot. Suppose she found it, then +would it not be her duty, by taking possession of it, to guard Elma from +giving it away? Carrie made up her mind quickly; she determined to have +a search for the money at once. In the somewhat meagerly-furnished +bedroom there were not a great many hiding-places, and Carrie began her +search systematically. Elma and she had a little set of drawers each; +there were no locks to these drawers. With all her faults, Elma +absolutely trusted her own family. It never occurred to her even in her +worst moments that Carrie would examine her drawers; she also believed +that Maggie was perfectly honest. + +Carrie now began to search. She opened Elma's drawers and looked +through them. Soon she found what she sought for. In the small +right-hand drawer at the top corner was a little parcel. It felt heavy. +Carrie opened it and there lay seven shining sovereigns. There were also +a couple of shillings and a few pence; but Carrie's eyes were +principally fixed upon the sovereigns. Bright and new they looked, +almost as if they had just come from the mint. Carrie danced a pirouette +there and then. + +"I have found the treasure," she gasped. "Now I must take it where it +will be safe. I know what I'll do. I'll give it to Sam Raynes to keep +for Elma. It will be a nice excuse for seeing him again, and I'll tell +him it is money of my own, and ask him to bank it for me. He'll be ever +so pleased; he will think all the more of me if he supposes I am +wealthy. Yes, I'll take it to Sam; he shall keep it for me." + +Flushed, excited, her heart beating high, Carrie once more pinned on her +hat. She ran downstairs. As she passed through the hall her mother was +letting herself in with a latchkey. + +"My dear Carrie," she said, "you are not going out again at this hour of +night?" + +"I shan't be long, mother. I am just going into Summer Terrace to see +the Raynes." + +"I wish you would not go out so late, Carrie; it really isn't----" + +But Carrie had slammed the door without even waiting for her parent's +last words. She soon reached the Terrace, which was within three +minutes' walk of her own house. Florrie Raynes let her in. + +"My dear Carrie," she said, "what do you want? Oh, you naughty girl; +you knew Sam would be in." + +"Well, I want to speak to him. Can I see him just for a moment?" gasped +Carrie, panting and breathless, pushing the hair from her forehead as +she spoke. + +"Yes, come right in," said Florrie; "you need not apologize. He is only +having a cigar, and he'll be right pleased to see you." + +As she spoke she opened the door of a small sitting-room and pushed +Carrie in, slamming it behind her. The echo of her rude laughter as she +performed this unladylike feat was heard down the passage. + +Sam was seated in front of an open window smoking a cigar. When he saw +Carrie he removed it from his mouth and came forward in a somewhat +nonchalant way to meet her. + +"Now, Car," he said, "what's up? Any news? Can we have a jolly time next +Sunday?" + +"Yes," answered Carrie panting slightly, "and for as many other Sundays +as you like. See here, Sam, I cannot wait a minute now. You know you +once told me that I was a frivolous little thing, that I was +extravagant, and all that. Now, what will you say if I ask you to put +seven pounds in the bank for me?" + +"Seven pounds!" cried Sam; "'pon my word! Where in the world did you get +it, Car?" + +"It's out of my savings," replied Carrie. + +"Well, I must say--" Sam gave her a look of the broadest admiration he +had ever yet bestowed upon her. "You can bank it for me, can you not?" + +"Yes, that I can. But I say, Car, would you like me to speculate with +it? I might double it, you know." + +"Oh, do what you like with it, only keep it safe," answered Carrie. "I +shall want to draw a little of it from time to time. Now, good-by, Sam. +I can't wait another moment." + +She laid the money on the table. Sam's large and somewhat fat hand +closed greedily over it, and the next moment it was conveyed to his +waistcoat pocket. + +"This will come in very handy for myself," he muttered; but Carrie did +not hear the words--she ran home breathless and excited. She thought she +had managed splendidly. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +THE "SPOTTED LEOPARD." + + +Kitty was miserable that night. An Irish girl has always her ups and +downs. She is either up in the seventh heaven of bliss, or she is down +almost below the ordinary earth in misery. Kitty was suffering from an +intense revulsion of spirits. Laurie was in trouble. He was the best +brother in all the world; he was Kitty's idol. There never was anybody +more reckless, more passionate, more dare-devil than Laurie Malone; and +Kitty had always been with him heart and soul, always from the time that +they had been little tots together. And now Laurie was in danger. The +best broth of a boy might be condemned to go to a school in England; he +might be condemned to the misery, the want of freedom, which she was now +enduring. Oh, she must save him at any risk. She could do so. She could +send him ten pounds; she would have exactly that sum in her possession +if only Elma returned the eight which she had lent her. It did not occur +to Kitty as at all difficult for Elma to return the money. She had never +yet know money difficulties herself; and when Elma had asked for the +loan of it she imagined that she could have it back at any time. If this +was not the case it would not greatly matter; but now, of course, +Laurie's letter altered the complexion of everything. + +Kitty was too unsettled and anxious to stay quiet for a single moment. +She fidgeted Alice, who was busily engaged preparing her lessons for the +following day. + +"Kitty," she said, when that erratic young person had jumped up to lean +her body half out of the window for the twentieth time, "if you cannot +sit still yourself, you ought to have some thought for me. What am I to +do if you keep rushing to the window and back again to your seat every +couple of minutes?" + +"I am looking for Elma," said Kitty. + +"For Elma Lewis? Do you expect her to-night?" + +"Yes, and on a matter of vital importance. Oh, don't talk to me please, +Alice. If she doesn't come soon, I believe my heart will burst." + +"That is exactly like one of your exaggerated statements," said Alice. +"People's hearts don't burst. Oh, if you only would stay quiet." + +"I believe that's herself turning round the corner," cried Kitty, +bending out so far now that it was a wonder she was not overbalanced. + +"Really, Kitty, you make my heart stand still," said Alice. "You will +fall out if you are not careful. Oh, for goodness' sake, don't stoop out +any further." + +"It's not her," said Kitty, popping in her head. "I was only stooping +far enough to catch a glimpse of her boots. Elma always wears such +horrid shabby boots; and her feet are too large. By the way, Alice, what +do you think of these shoes; do you like them with straps across, and +little rosettes?" + +"I don't like anything in the way of dress at the present moment," said +Alice. "I want quiet and peace. It is impossible for me to do anything +while you fidget as you do." + +Kitty jumped with a bang into the nearest chair; opened a novel, and +tried to read it upside down. + +"If she isn't in time I won't be able to send the letter to-night and +then--Alice, do you mind my interrupting you for a moment? What time +does the last post go?" + +"The pillar outside the gate is cleared at twelve," said Alice. + +"It is only nine now. You don't happen to be able to tell me when a +letter, cleared at twelve, would reach Castle Malone?" + +"I cannot tell you. Forgive me, Kitty, I cannot stay in the room any +longer. I am going to our bedroom." + +Alice gathered up her books, and swept out of tho room. When she reached +the bedroom she shut and locked the door. + +Kitty was now left alone in the drawing-room, for Mr. and Mrs. Denvers +were spending the evening out. She was glad of this, as she could lean +as far out of the window as she dared, and there was no one to shout at +her. She could also pace up and down the room, which she presently did +with the rapidity and eagerness of a young tigress. + +Oh, to be back again at Castle Malone! What was Laurie doing now? +Suppose Paddy Wheel-about really told her father about Laurie! + +Squire Malone was extremely kind to Kitty; there was no saying what he +would not do for Kitty were she in trouble; but Laurie and Pat were +different matters. He had fits of severity-with them--only fits, mind +you; for he was too Irish in his character, too generous-hearted, ever +to keep his anger long; but in these fits he often made strange +resolves, and when these resolves were made, as a rule, he carried them +out. He was too proud to change his mind. If once he decided that the +boys were to go to school to England, to school they must go--to +"prison," Kitty termed it. Tears rose in her bright eyes, they rolled +down her cheeks. Oh, why was not Elma in time? How dreadful, how +dreadful if she (Kitty) missed the twelve-o'clock post! She was in this +state of fret and worry, when Fred entered the room. Fred hated all +girls, with the exception of Kitty Malone. He could not be said by this +time to hate her, for he admired her very much indeed. The moment she +saw him she called out to him to come in. + +"Ah, then, Fred, it is you. Come along in," she cried; "you'll be a +drain of a comfort--not much, but still a drain. Oh, Fred, it's I who am +in the trouble entirely. You wouldn't think it to look at me, but I am." + +"Dear me, Kitty I am sorry," said Fred. "What's up? Has Alice been +teasing you as usual?" + +"Oh, bother Alice! as if I minded her little pinpricks. It's that +darling Laurie in Ireland. He has got into trouble, the broth of a boy +that he is." + +She then related what had occurred in connection with Paddy +Wheel-about's coat. + +"And the poor old coat is in the bottom of the lake," she added, "and +the lake is feet deep in mud just at the bottom, and anything that falls +with a weight into it would sink and sink. Oh, they will never find the +coat till the day of judgment, and it full of beautiful money! And Paddy +Wheel-about has lost the little grain of sense he ever possessed, and +Laurie will be sent to one of those prisons." + +"To prison?" cried Fred; "but surely your father--" + +"Oh, I mean a school--it's all the same. Don't interrupt me, Fred. When +my mind is full I must rattle off the speech somehow." + +"And he wants you to send him ten pounds?" + +"Yes." + +"And have you got ten pounds to send him?" + +"To be sure I have--I have ten pounds ten. I am an awful girl for +spending money. I bought a whole pound's worth of chocolate yesterday. I +only wish I had the money now instead; but poor little Agnes Moore and +the other girls in my class, they do love chocolate, and they quite seem +to fatten them. I bought the chocolates, and I have got ten shillings in +my pocket." + +"But you showed me a whole purseful of gold the other day," said Fred. + +"Well, it's gone, Fred, and it isn't gone; but I know who could help me +to find it if I could catch a sight of her." + +"And who is that?" asked Fred. + +"Elma Lewis." + +"Elma Lewis! Do you like her?" + +"I can't say that I like her--no I don't think I do; but she would help +me, if I could only get to see her." + +"Then, do you want me to go to her house and tell her so?" + +"Why, Fred, that's a splendid idea. You are a jewel, a darling, a duck! +Let me fetch my hat, and you and I will go together." + +"But I don't know my lessons yet. It is that beastly German. I have +pages to translate. It is such rot." + +"Oh, what does the German matter? Think of the misery poor Laurie is in. +Just stay where you are, Fred; I'll be back in a minute." + +Kitty dashed upstairs, two or three steps at a time, and thundered a +loud tattoo on the locked door of Alice's bedroom. + +"You cannot come in, whoever you are," cried Alice from within. + +"Yes, but I must, Alice, aroon; let me in, jewel that you are. I want my +hat, and gloves and jacket, nothing else. Do, for goodness' sake, let me +in, Alice, asthore!" + +But Alice was obdurate. Once let Kitty in, she would never be able to +get rid of her again, and her lessons must be learned. They were +specially difficult and required all her attention. + +"Then if you won't," cried Kitty, whose quick temper was beginning to +rise, "at least fling the things out of the window." + +"You know you must not go out at this hour." + +"If you won't give them to me," said Kitty, "I'll go without them." + +"You are not to have them; you are not to go out. It isn't right," +called Alice, who felt strong in the cause of virtue. + +Kitty rattled violently on the handle for a moment longer, and then +rushed downstairs again to where Fred was waiting. + +"I can't get my hat," she said; "but it doesn't matter. I'll go as I +am." + +Now Kitty's dress was more picturesque than suitable. She had on a +crimson blouse and a skirt bedizened with many ribbons and frills. The +blouse had only elbow sleeves and was cut rather low in the neck. +Nothing could be more becoming to the dancing eyes, the rose-bloom +cheeks, the head of dark hair. + +"Lend me a cap of yours, Fred, there's a darling," called Kitty, "and +we'll be off. Alice is in one of her tantrums, and she won't let me into +our room nor give me my hat and jacket. If your mother were there it +would be all right." + +Fred only thought that Kitty looked remarkably pretty. It did not occur +to him as at all queer that she should want to walk a couple of miles in +this erratic dress. He went downstairs, accommodated her with a small +cap which bore the college coat of arms in front, and the two were soon +hurrying along the roads at a rapid rate in the direction of Elma's +house. + +There were two ways to Elma's home. One way was by crossing a wide +common, cutting off a certain corner, walking down a by-street, and so, +by a series of short cuts, reaching Constantine Road. By the other and +slightly longer way you had to pass an open thoroughfare in the center +of which blazed, with its shining lights and its gay exterior, a large +public-house called the "Spotted Leopard." Now the "Spotted Leopard" was +by no means a nice place to pass at night. Men considerably the worse +for drink were apt to linger about the doors. Gossiping and idle fellows +would congregate just by this special corner, ready to take up any bit +of fun or nonsense which might be coming, meaning no special mischief, +but being decidedly disagreeable to meet at night. + +Fred was as careless a schoolboy as could be found in the length and +breadth of Great Britain; Kitty was equally reckless, perhaps more so, +if that were possible. That special evening Fred decided that they would +not take the short cut across the common. + +"A beastly lonely place at this hour of night," he said, "and the road +is so uneven and there are no lamps. We'll go round by the 'Spotted +Leopard'. You don't mind, do you, Kit?" + +"Never a bit," answered Kitty. "Come along, Fred; stretch your legs. I +must get to see Elma Lewis to-night as quickly as possible." + +Fred walked fast, and Kitty laughed and talked and danced by his side. +Now that she was in action she forgot her fears; her volatile spirits +rose once again to a height. She entertained Fred with numerous stories +relating to Paddy Wheel-about, Laurie, and Pat, and invited him to come +to Castle Malone for the whole of the summer holidays, assuring him that +the fishing would be splendid, the cycling superb, the riding such as +would make your eyes water, and the shooting and the hunting when that +season began all that could stimulate the least ambitious of boys. And +when Kitty spoke she was apt to illustrate her words, dancing now in +front of her companion, now keeping by his side, now lingering a little +behind him, all the time gesticulating with eyes and lips and gay +motions. She was like a restive young colt--beautiful, excitable. The +boy felt that he had never had such a charming companion before. + +All went well, and Kitty's bizarre dress, her hair tossed wildly over +her head and hanging partly down her shoulders, her little feet encased +in the shoes with the rosettes and steel buckles, the frills on her gay +skirt, her bare arms, failed to attract any special attention. But when +they got into the neighborhood of the "Spotted Leopard," a blaze of +light fell full across her. She was a remarkable enough figure to be out +at this hour, and when joined to the somewhat peculiar spectacle, the +wild-looking boys--for they were little more--who had congregated round +this special corner, saw the college cap on her head, they made a rush +forward and the next moment had surrounded her. + +They began to laugh and to make facetious remarks. It was all done in a +second. Kitty stood stock still as if some one had shot her. He gay +manner ceased on the instant, she drew herself erect, and the next +moment aimed a blow straight from the shoulder at the nearest of the +men, knocking him over as completely as though he had been a ninepin; +then taking hold of Fred's arm--who had come to her rescue, although the +poor lad had not the least idea what to do--marched away, her face as +crimson as her gay silk blouse. + +"Well, Kitty, you did that splendidly," he said. + +"The impertinent wretches! Don't speak to me about them," answered +Kitty. But just then she came face to face with a more serious +obstacle. This was no less a person than Miss Worrick herself. + +Now if there was a prim mistress in the whole length and breadth of +England, it was Matilda Worrick. She liked girls to be neatly dressed; +she could not bear to see them out at what she called inclement hours. +She would have thought it the height of impropriety for Kitty and Fred +to walk together at such an hour; but when in addition to this Kitty +went out in a dress which Miss Worrick would have thought very +unsuitable for home, when she wore a boy's college cap on her head, and +when she had so far distinguished herself as to have been for a moment +the center of a lot of low noisy, rough men, Miss Worrick felt that the +moment had come for her to interfere. She grasped Kitty Malone firmly by +the arm. + +"What are you doing, Miss Malone?" she said. "How dare you be out at +this hour?" + +"How dare you interfere?" answered Kitty, who, excited already, could +not for a moment brook Miss Worrick's interference. + +"I shall march you straight home," said the mistress. "If Miss Sherrard +knew of this she would expel you from the school. You are a very wicked +girl. Fred Denvers, you can go home or go on with your walk, just as you +like, but I have charge of Miss Malone; she belongs to the Middleton +School, and I must see her home before I go a step further." + +Poor Kitty felt staggered. + +"I really meant no harm," she said. "I cannot imagine what you are +talking about. I could not get my hat and jacket, and as it was most +important that I should see Elma Lewis, Fred promised to take me to her +house. Please don't ask me to return now with you, Miss Worrick, I +really cannot come." + +But Miss Worrick was inexorable. She grasped Kitty very firmly by the +arm, turned abruptly in the direction of home, and walked forward with a +firm step. There was no help for it; Kitty Malone must accompany her. +They soon found themselves back again at the Denvers' house. Mr. and +Mrs. Denvers were out, but Miss Worrick inquired for Alice. + +"Ask Miss Alice to come to me immediately," she said to the servant. + +The girl looked pityingly at Kitty, who was a prime favorite with her, +and then went away to fulfill her errand. + +The instant Alice got this somewhat startling message, she forgot her +lesson, unlocked her bedroom door, and flew downstairs as fast as she +could. Miss Worrick was standing in the center of the drawing-room. +Kitty was leaning up against one of the window-curtains. Kitty's face +was red, her hair was tossed in wild confusion, and her dark eyes seemed +to flash fire. + +"Alice," said Miss Worrick, coming straight up to Alice when she +appeared. "I must ask you to take charge of Kitty Malone." + +"Why so?" asked Alice in some astonishment. + +"Just do what I say. Your father and mother are out. Kitty is not to +return to school to-morrow until she hears from Miss Sherrard. In the +absence of your parents I put her in your charge, Alice. She has behaved +disgracefully, and I shall have the great pain of reporting what I have +just witnessed to our head-mistress to-morrow." + +So saying, Miss Worrick walked quickly out of the room and out of the +house. + +"Well, thank goodness, she's gone--the old cat!" cried Kitty. + +"Now, Kitty what have you done?" said Alice. "Oh, this is terrible! +Fresh scrapes! We seem to live in constant hot water. What is the matter +now, you headstrong and dreadful girl?" + +"Nothing is the matter," replied Kitty, "absolutely nothing. It is all a +storm in a teacup. But if any one is to blame you are the one." + +"I?" cried Alice. "What next?" + +"Well, you are. You would not give me my hat and jacket. I have a nice +plain hat and a jacket to match. I should have put them on if you had +not locked our bedroom door, and prevented my coming into the room, +which is just as much mine as yours. As it was imperative for me to see +Elma Lewis immediately, I asked Fred if he would walk round with me to +her house, and I wore his college cap. When we were passing the 'Spotted +Leopard' a lot of rough, rude boys rushed out and began to make +impertinent remarks about my dress. I just gave one of them a black eye +and knocked him over. The next moment I found myself under the fire of +Miss Worrick's anger." + +"And small wonder," said Alice. "Kitty, what is to be done? Before you +came here I thought myself a respectable girl--all we Middleton girls +did; and now for such a fearful thing to happen. Why, it will be all +over the place in the morning. They will talk of it everywhere. Oh, +Kitty, you have disgraced me for ever." + +Here Alice burst into tears. + +"Good gracious!" cried Kitty, "what are you crying about? I did nothing; +it was the rude men, or boys, or whatever you like to call them, who +were to blame." + +"You did nothing, going out in that dress?" cried Alice--"that red +blouse, and your arms bare, and with Fred's college cap on your head. I +should not be a bit surprised if Fred were expelled; he will certainly +get into an awful scrape. Oh dear! oh dear!" + +"I cannot imagine what you are talking and crying about," said Kitty. +"But there; I have got a headache, and am going to bed. I suppose there +is no chance of my--Oh, poor Laurie! What a wicked girl Elma Lewis is!" + +Kitty rushed up to her room. Not that she was frightened--that was not +her way; but she saw that disagreeable things might be pending. In the +meantime her most anxious thoughts were for Laurie. What would happen if +she could not send him the money by an early post? + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +COVENTRY. + + +Early the next morning Mrs. Denvers was a good deal surprised by +receiving a letter from Miss Sherrard. It ran as follows: + +"DEAR MRS. DENVERS: I have just heard an extraordinary story from Miss +Worrick with regard to Kitty Malone. She met Kitty with your Fred at a +late hour last night just outside the 'Spotted Leopard.' She was not +wearing an outdoor jacket, and had the college cap on her head. In +consequence, she was spoken to impertinently by some men outside the +public-house, and when Miss Worrick came up had just knocked one of them +down. Miss Worrick says, further, that Kitty showed her great +impertinence; and, in short, that the whole affair was wrong and +disgraceful. It is my painful duty to look thoroughly into this matter, +and I should be glad if you would bring Miss Malone to Middleton School +this morning in order that I may do so. + +"Yours very truly, + +"EMMA SHERRARD." + +"My dear Alice," said Mrs. Denvers, as her daughter entered the room, +"what does this letter mean?" + +Alice read Miss Sherrard's letter hastily. + +"It is exactly as I feared, mother," she said. + +"Exactly as you feared, Alice! What do you mean?" + +"I always told you that Kitty would be certain to get into trouble +sooner or later. Well, she got into trouble last night." + +"But what occurred?" + +"What occurred!" said Fred, who came into the room at that moment. "I +thought you would be talking about poor Kitty. I will tell you exactly +what did occur mother; but first I want to say something else. Kitty is +just as nice a girl as we ever had in the house. She has not a low nor a +small thought in her, but she is excitable, and she has high spirits; +and yesterday evening, when I went into the drawing-room, I found her +there alone, and in no end of a fret because one of her brothers in +Ireland had got into trouble. He had written to her; but she would not +tell me what he said. For some extraordinary reason, which none of us +know, it seems that Elma Lewis can get him out of his trouble, I cannot +pretend to explain what this means; but such is the fact. Poor Kitty was +wild to see Elma, and she asked me if I would walk over to her house +with her. Of course I promised to do so, for it was difficult not to be +good-natured to the poor thing." + +"At what hour was this, Fred?" interrupted Mrs. Denvers. + +"It was rather late, I will own, mother--about half-past nine." + +"Go on, my dear boy. What happened then?" + +"Now it is Alice's turn to get into your black books," continued Fred, +darting a malicious look at his sister. "She doesn't like Kitty, and +nothing that Kitty can do or say is right in Alice's eyes." + +"Fred!" interrupted Alice--"Mother, you have no right to listen to him." + +"I am bound to hear both sides of this story, Alice," said Mrs. Denvers. +"Fred shall tell his side first. Go on, my boy." + +"When I arranged to go with Kitty, she ran upstairs to the bedroom which +she shares with Alice to get her jacket and hat; but Alice had locked +the door, and wouldn't let her in. I heard her crying out and begging of +Alice to do so, or, at least, if she would not, to throw her hat and +jacket out of the window; but no! good nature was not to be expected +from my amiable sister. So then Kitty ran down again, and said that as +the night was warm it really didn't matter a bit; and she asked me to +lend her a cap. I took one from the peg in the hall, never seeing that +it was one of the college caps with the coat-of-arms in front, and Kitty +popped it on, and off we set. We neither of us gave a thought to her +dress, and we walked as fast as possible, chatting and laughing all the +way. All went well till we got in front of that horrid 'Spotted +Leopard,' and there were several lads round the door. I suppose Kitty's +dress attracted them as well as her pretty face, and all in a minute +they surrounded her. Such awful cheek! But do you think Kitty would put +up with their impudence? I never saw a girl like her! She just aimed a +blow straight at one of the fellows and knocked him over as if he were a +ninepin. I can tell you she had the laugh on her side; and I don't +believe we would have heard anything more about it if that mean, +spiteful old cat, Miss Worrick, hadn't been coming round the corner. She +ran up to Kitty, and took possession of her, and marched her off home, +and put her, forsooth, into Alice's custody. That's the explanation of +Miss Sherrard's letter, mother." + +"Dear, dear!" said Mrs. Denvers, "it was a most imprudent thing to do. +But of course, the poor child meant no harm." + +"I should rather think she didn't," cried Fred. "The one you ought really +to blame is Alice. No one would have looked at Kitty, nor thought of her +one way or the other, if Alice had let her get her hat and jacket; but +what was she to do when she was locked out of her own bedroom?" + +"But she know very well that she was breaking rules," said Mrs. Denvers. +"None of the Middleton girls are allowed to go out so late in the +evening except with a suitable escort; and she certainly ought not to +have gone in the dress you have described, my boy. It was all +thoughtlessness; but she will get into sad trouble, I fear." + +"Of course it was thoughtlessness," said Fred; "and the poor thing was +bothered, dreadfully bothered, about that brother in Ireland." + +"I see, mother," said Alice, "that you are determined to take Kitty's +part, whatever happens. She has bewitched you, like all the rest of the +household." + +"Whom have I bewitched now?" asked Kitty, who entered the room just +then. + +"Oh, my poor, dear child," said Mrs. Denvers, "you have got into a +terrible scrape. See this letter which I have just received from your +head-mistress." + +Kitty eagerly seized the letter. She was looking pale, and not like her +usual self. There were heavy black lines under her eyes. The poor girl +had spent most of her night crying. The thought of Laurie was resting on +her soul; she was very anxious about him, and, in consequence, very +miserable. + +"I always said that I hated England," she cried, coloring as she spoke. +"Oh, I know, dear Mrs. Denvers, that you are a jewel; and as to Fred, he +is no end of a darling; and Mr. Denvers is as nice as a man could be. +But there's Alice, and she doesn't like me; and Miss Worrick can't bear +me; and half the girls at school don't understand me, and, for the +matter of that, I don't care for them; and I don't understand your +stiff, proper English ways. I am far and away too wild for England. In +Ireland we would only laugh at such a thing as happened last night. What +does it matter what sort of dress I go out in and at what hour I go, if +I am doing right all the time? I wanted to do something for Laurie, for +my dear, dear Laurie, who is in terrible trouble. Please, Mrs. Denvers, +let me go home again. Let us both go to Miss Sherrard this morning, and +tell her that it is all no use; Kitty Malone was born wild, and wild she +will remain to the end of the chapter. Let me go home; please let me go +home." + +"My poor child, I must not yield to you," said Mrs. Denvers. "You have +been sent to us to be made----" + +"Oh, don't begin it," cried Kitty. "Don't begin to talk about all the +things you have got to make me, and which, to be plain, none of you will +ever succeed in doing, for I was not half nor a quarter as wild in +Ireland. I was considered in some ways the steady one of the family; but +here, why, I am provoked every minute of the day, and I--I can't stand +it much longer." + +"Well, sit down now and eat your breakfast," said Mrs. Denvers, "for we +must soon hurry off to school. Miss Sherrard will want to see us +immediately after prayers." + +Kitty seated herself, but she had little appetite for her food. + +"Why don't you eat?" said Fred, who sat next to her. "Let me help you to +some of this porridge; it's jolly well done this morning, and you always +like it, don't you?" + +"Yes, yes; but I have got a lump in my throat and I can't swallow," +answered Kitty. "Thank you all the same, Fred. There are some chocolates +in my room if you like to steal up in the middle of the day in case I am +locked up, as twenty to one I shall be for this misdemeanor. There are +some chocolates and some rock and toffee. You'll find them in my +left-hand drawer in the corner. I spent a whole sovereign on sweets, as +I told you a few days ago." + +"Oh, thanks. Kitty, you are a brick," whispered Fred back in return. + +"You can take as many as you like, Fred, old boy, for you are a comfort +to me. I'll tell Laurie about you when I go back to Ireland." + +"Come, come, my dears, no whispering," said Mrs. Denvers. "Kitty, if +you don't care for your breakfast, perhaps you will go up to your room +and make yourself tidy for school." + +"Oh, am I not tidy now?" asked Kitty, jumping up and running to the +glass in the overmantel to survey herself. "By the way, do you like my +frock? it is quite new. Don't you think this crimson cotton with the +white sash very effective? It is cool, and yet it's gay. I belong to the +Tug--Oh! I must not mention that. I never did know such a place for +awful secrets as England. I am drawn up every minute by remembering that +I must not mention something. But how do you like my dress, Mrs. +Denvers?" + +"Well, dear, I prefer quieter colors; but we will say nothing more about +it just now. Get your hat, Kitty; put on your outdoor shoes and your +gloves, and come down immediately, for it is time for us to start." + +As soon as Kitty had left the room, Alice turned to her mother. + +"Are you going to encourage her in all her follies?" she asked. + +"My dear Alice, I don't encourage her in her follies; but there is no +use in pulling the poor child up short every moment. She expresses +herself quite correctly when she says that she is wild; she is not +broken in. But to break in Kitty Malone too thoroughly might also break +her heart, and that would never do." + +"Break her heart! I don't believe she has got one," said Alice. "But, +there, I can't talk any longer on the subject." + +It occurred to her that if she started immediately for school she might +call for Bessie Challoner, and tell her what had occurred. Bessie's +sympathy would be very sweet, and Alice determined to secure it if +possible. Accordingly she left the house, and at about a quarter to nine +found herself at Bessie's house. Bessie was standing on the steps +drawing on her gloves. + +"Why, Alice, what has brought you?" she cried; "and where is Kitty?" + +"Oh, don't mention Kitty, if you don't want to rile me beyond +endurance," said Alice. + +"I always do rile you when I mention her," answered Bessie; "but where +is she all the same?" + +"With mother--she is coming to school with mother." + +"With your mother--to Middleton School! What do you mean?" + +"Only that mother has to bring her. She has got into no end of a row." + +"Has she? Oh, I am sorry," said Bessie. + +"Come out, Bessie," said Alice. "It is a little early to get to school, +but we may as well walk slowly, and I will tell you all about it as we +go along." + +This Alice did, enlarging much upon Kitty's dress, her crimson blouse, +her bare arms, the college cap on her head, and her little shoes with +the buckles and rosettes. + +"She must have looked very pretty," said Bessie. + +"Bessie! you really are enough to distract any one. Don't you see the +impropriety of it? Don't you see that this will get all over the place? +People will say that a Middleton girl dressed so unsuitably, so loudly, +that--Oh, don't you see it?" + +"I don't see anything in it except a silly, foolish, girlish act, +uncommonly like Kitty Malone," said Bessie. "You are determined to make +mountains out of molehills, Alice." + +"No, I am not," said Alice. "Anyhow," she added in a tone of triumph, +"Miss Sherrard thinks it disgraceful, and so does Miss Worrick. I +suppose you will not go against the opinions of your own mistresses, +will you, Bessie?" + +"No, no; only I am sorry," said Bessie. + +At that moment the two girls reached the school. Gwin Harley was just +driving up in her pony-chaise, and Elma, as usual, was hovering near. + +"Come here, Elma," said Bessie. "We have something to tell you." + +"What is it?" asked Elma eagerly. + +"It is this," cried Alice. "Kitty Malone has got into the most awful +scrape. She went out last night with Fred in her red blouse--you know +that silk blouse she is so fond of wearing?" + +"I know; it is sweetly pretty," said Elma. + +"Oh, there you are, praising everything she does! Well, anyhow, she wore +it, and her arms were bare to the elbow, and she stuck one of the +college caps on her head. What will Dr. Butler say? She went with Fred +to see you, by the way, Elma. She seemed in an awful hurry to find you. +She was in trouble about her brother, and she said you could help her." + +"Oh, nonsense!" said Elma. But she had an uncomfortable feeling as the +words were said. Her thoughts naturally flew to the eight pounds which +Kitty had lent her. Was it possible that Kitty wanted that lovely, that +beautiful money back again? Elma had felt almost as if she were living +in fairyland from the time that money had been in her possession. She +would part with it whenever the day came with extreme reluctance. + +"Well," she said, "I cannot imagine what she wanted with me; but what +happened?" + +"Some rough boys outside the 'Spotted Leopard' were rude to her, and she +knocked one of them down; then Miss Worrick came up and took her back to +our house; and Miss Sherrard has written this morning to say that mother +is to bring Kitty up to school, and that she must have the whole thing +explained. There's a nice state of things!" + +At that moment the great gong was heard, and the girls were obliged to +troop into the school. Prayers were conducted as usual in the great +hall, and Elma, Gwin, Alice, and Bessie looked in every imaginable +corner for a sight of Kitty Malone. She was not present, however, and +they were obliged afterward to go to their class-rooms without having +caught sight of her beaming and brilliant face. + +Meanwhile Mrs. Denvers and Kitty were waiting for Miss Sherrard in the +head-mistress' private sitting-room. Kitty went to the window and looked +out. + +"I like Miss Sherrard," she said, turning to Mrs. Denvers as she spoke. +"I am really sorry to annoy her. It is about a fortnight ago since she +spoke to me in this very room; she spoke so kindly, and told me that I +had got talents. I was astonished, for I thought she meant cleverness, +and I have always been told that I am a dunce; she said that she knew I +had good abilities, and that besides I had plenty of other +talents--nice dress, and good looks." Kitty colored and flashed a +half-defiant, half-roguish glance at Mrs. Denvers. "She also spoke about +my money as a talent. Oh, dear, I felt half-conceited, half-delighted +when I left her, and I made up my mind that I would be good; but it +seems useless, more than useless. Oh, my poor money, my poor money! I +have got none of it left now, or at least scarcely any." + +"My dear child, no money!" exclaimed Mrs. Denvers. "Impossible. When +you spoke to me last you had about fifteen pounds. Kitty, my dear, it is +wrong for you to squander money in that fashion." + +"But I haven't squandered it, Mrs. Denvers, not really. I have not got +it with me, it is true; but most of it is safe, only I must not talk +about that. There's another secret for you. What an awful place England +is! Oh, dear, dear! I am in a muddle about everything. I can't bear to +stand in this room and remember Miss Sherrard's talk. Fancy her saying +that even my dress was a talent! Now there's something in favor of my +nice red cotton and my dear red silk blouse; and fancy her saying still +more that my looks, my pretty face, was a talent! Mrs. Denvers, do you +think me pretty, very, very, very pretty?" + +"No, Kitty dear, not so wonderfully pretty as that; but you have an +attractive face. Miss Sherrard is quite right; beauty is a gift, +although it used to be my old-fashioned idea that the less girls were +told about their looks the better." + +"Oh, but that's all exploded, love," cried Kitty. "In these days girls +are told when they are pretty just as much as they are told when they +are clever. Now, I'm not clever, not a bit. I'm a dunce, an out and out +dunce; but at any rate I've got a pretty face, and I promised that I +would use my talents for--for the best--" Here she lowered her face and +a thoughtful and beautiful expression came into the great big eyes. "But +it's no use," she added. "I am bothered entirely every day of my life, +and I am just going from bad to worse." + +"Hush, Kitty, you must not talk in that way Hark! I think I hear Miss +Sherrard's step." As Mrs. Denvers spoke the door was slowly opened and +Miss Sherrard, accompanied by Miss Worrick, came in. Miss Sherrard was +just about to speak; but before she could utter a word Kitty rushed to +her. + +"I have failed, darling; I have failed entirely," she gasped out, "I +meant to do right, but I did wrong; I have become worse and worse, +although I cannot see the wrong myself. But Miss Worrick has found it +out. I want to give up the school, darling, and to go back to Old +Ireland. They don't think so badly of me in Old Ireland, and they'll let +me dress as I like and go out when I like; and--and, I am not fit for +England, dear. Please write to dad and tell him so--tell him I am a +failure as far as England is concerned. He'll understand, dear old man. +He'll be sorry, but he'll understand. Let me go home again, please, Miss +Sherrard--let me go home!" + +"No, Kitty, I shall do nothing of the kind," answered Miss Sherrard. +"You must not kiss me just now, my dear; no, I am not pleased at all. +You did very wrong to go out as late as you did last night. You broke +one of the strictest rules of the school, and have brought discredit +upon us all. Miss Worrick, will you please relate exactly what +occurred?" + +Miss Worrick now stood up and made as much as she possibly could of poor +Kitty's little escapade in front of the "Spotted Leopard." The story so +described made anything but a pleasant picture. Miss Sherrard who was +tenacious with regard to the school, and most anxious that each and all +of her girls should bear the highest character for quiet and orderly +behavior, was deeply annoyed. + +"Kitty," she said, "I have always been strangely unwilling to punish +you. I have never ceased to remember that you have not been brought up +like most of the girls here--that you have enjoyed a freer, wilder life. +On that account I have tried to be very patient with you, my dear; but I +am sorry to say that I have no alternative now. I must punish you, and +severely. For the next week you are to stay in during the morning +recess, and after school is over will remain here day by day to learn +different tasks which will be set you. Further, my dear--and this, I am +sure, will be the most severe part of your punishment--your school +companions are absolutely forbidden to speak to you, and you must give +your word of honor that you will hold no communication with any of them +until the week has expired." + +This very severe sentence made poor Kitty quite collapse. She sat down +on the nearest chair and her rosy face turned pale. + +"Oh, I cannot give my word of honor," she gasped. "I must speak. I must +at least speak to Elma Lewis." + +"You are not to speak to any of your companions, with the exception of +Alice Denvers, in whose house you live," said Miss Sherrard. "Kitty, if +you disobey me, I shall have to expel you, and then indeed you will be +disgraced for life. My dear you must bow to my authority--you are to +speak to no girl in the school. I trust to your honor to obey me in this +particular. If you are expelled--and it will certainly happen if I find +that you are not keeping your word--you will be branded for life." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +THE LOST PACKET. + + +After parting with Kitty, Miss Sherrard went back to the school. As she +did so, she said a few words to Miss Worrick. The result of this was +that all the girls were summoned to appear in the great central hall. +When there they were told very briefly--Miss Sherrard standing by her +desk as she spoke--that Miss Malone was in disgrace. + +"Miss Malone has done something which obliges me to put her into +Coventry for a week," said the head-mistress. "Her schoolfellows are +forbidden to have any intercourse with her. If she attempts to speak to +any girl belonging to Middleton School, with the exception of Alice +Denvers, in whose house she is living, that girl holds communication +with her at her own peril. Such a girl stands a grave chance of being +expelled from the school." + +Miss Sherrard then descended from her platform, and the usual work of +the morning went on. + +It may easily be guessed that Kitty Malone, and Kitty Malone only, was +the subject of conversation during recess. What had she done? Why was +Miss Sherrard so very severe on her? It was not often that a Middleton +girl was given such a very terrible punishment. Alice who knew all about +it, and Bessie, who knew a little, were therefore in immense request. +Girls came up to these two in groups to find out what was the matter; +and when they heard from Alice the very glaring account of what Kitty +had really done on the previous night, they listened with open mouths, +giving vent to their feelings in different ways. The larger number +pronounced Kitty's conduct to be the height of all that was disgraceful. + +"Is it true," said one, "that she really wore the college cap? Oh, what +will Dr. Butler say if he finds it out? Alice, you cannot mean that she +had bare arms, bare from the elbows? Oh, impossible!" + +"But Alice," said another, "tell me, did she really, really, knock one +of those horrid boys down?" + +"Yes; like a ninepin, so Fred says," replied Alice. "Oh, it was +disgraceful. Don't talk of it any more; my cheeks burn whenever I think +of it." + +"But after all, Alice"--said Gwin, who came up at that moment. Gwin's +tone sounded quiet, stately, penetrating; it rose above the din which +the other girls were making. "After all, Alice, don't you think that you +were to blame too? Why did you not let Kitty get into your room and +hers? If she wanted to go for a walk it was surely natural enough to ask +for her hat and jacket; you refused to give them to her." + +"Of course I refused," said Alice, who did not at all wish to share any +of poor Kitty's blame. "Kitty knew perfectly well that she was breaking +one of the school rules as well as one of our home rules by going out at +such an hour--it was between nine and ten o'clock. As to her going +without her hat and jacket, such an idea never entered my wildest +dreams. No; bad as I thought Kitty, I did not think her bad enough for +that. There is no excuse for her. She is well punished, and for my part +I cannot but rejoice." + +"For my part," said Gwin gravely, "I am extremely sorry. I like Kitty; I +like her much. She has her faults of course; she is different from any +of the rest of us; she is wild and daring and eccentric; but she is also +the soul of honesty and candor. She is very affectionate and very +generous. She has not been brought up in the least as we have been. +Things we think wrong are not considered wrong by Kitty Malone. As she +herself expresses it, she is a little bit wild. Oh, I am sorry for her, +dreadfully sorry; and I think Miss Sherrard has been too severe. I +wonder at Miss Sherrard. I thought she understood Kitty. She spoke to +mother so kindly about her yesterday; she said there was a great deal of +good in the Irish girl, as she called her; and also said that she was +very glad that I was her friend. Although Miss Sherrard does not know +any of the rules of the Tug-of-war Society, she naturally knows that we +have formed it. She told me that she could not express how pleased she +was at our having asked Kitty to become a member. Girls, I wish I could +speak to Miss Sherrard. I think I will. It will break Kitty's heart to +be kept in Coventry for a week." + +"I doubt if she has a heart," said Alice. "It is all very fine to talk +of her affectionate ways; for my part I call them nothing but impetuous. +She is vain, conceited, and selfish; and provided she gets her own way +does not care what prejudices she rides roughshod over. Oh, I have no +patience with her." + +"But," said Bessie Challoner, who was standing stolidly by, looking +very determined and very quiet, "what did Kitty want out at that hour? +Kitty with all her faults, would not break the rules unless she had a +strong motive. What could have been the matter?" + +"And why did she want to see you, Elma?" said Gwin. "Can you throw any +light on the subject?" + +Elma colored first and then turned pale. Several pairs of eyes were +immediately fixed on her; one girl looked at the other, and a few nodded +significantly. Elma observed the looks and turned away in hot fear. + +"I don't know what she wanted with me," she muttered. + +The rest of the school hours passed as usual, and just before dinner, +when the great school broke up for the day, Kitty was still the subject +for conversation. Gwin lingered a little behind the others, and Bessie +stopped to ask why she was doing so. + +"I have almost made up my mind," she said, "to plead with Miss Sherrard +for Kitty." + +"Oh Gwin; how noble of you. I respect you, I do from my heart; but I +tell you what. Would it not be better for us to do something of this +sort? Why should not all the Tug-of-war girls plead for her? That would +seem more effective and stronger, would it not? Suppose we wrote a +letter, a sort of round-robin, and sent it to Miss Sherrard, begging of +her to forgive Kitty this time; and taking upon ourselves the +responsibility of her future conduct. Oh, I say, Gwin, could we not do +it?" + +"It is a splendid thought," said Gwin; "much--much better than my +talking to Miss Sherrard alone. Look here, Bessie; could we not manage +to have a meeting of the Tug-of-war at my house this evening? Oh, +there's Elma; I'll ask her at once. Elma come here." + +Elma who was just shouldering her books preparatory to leaving the +school, turned when she heard Gwin's voice. + +"What is it, Gwin?" she asked; her manner was a little nervous. + +Gwin hastily repeated Bessie's daring suggestion. + +"Oh, I'll come of course," said Elma; but there was a certain amount of +apathy in her tone. + +"And I will secure Alice; I am getting quite to dislike Alice, though," +said Bessie. + +Gwin promised to write to the other girls at once, and it was finally +arranged that a meeting should be held at Harley Grove that evening +between four and five o'clock. + +Elma walked home alone, musing much over the aspect of affairs. + +"I wonder what Kitty did want with me," she said to herself. "Doubtless +it had something to do with that money. Kitty was in despair, so it +seems. Oh, there's Fred Denvers; perhaps he can tell me something? +Hullo, Fred!" + +Elma stopped; Fred was on his way from college; he was whistling a gay +air, and did not see Elma until he had almost reached her side. + +"Hullo, Elma," he answered; "how are you?" + +"Oh, I am very well, Fred, thank you; but have you heard about Kitty +Malone?" + +"How everybody does cry out Kitty Malone; it will soon be sung by the +birds in the air," said Fred; "Kitty Malone! Kitty Malone! What's the +matter with her now?" + +"Oh, she has got into the most awful scrape; of course you know what +occurred last night?" + +"Rather!" said Fred. "I was with her. I say, Elma, she is about the +pluckiest girl I ever met. Didn't she hit out straight from the +shoulder; and didn't that fellow go down like a ninepin! I don't believe +he is able to see out of his eye to-day. Why, that little hand of hers +is as hard as iron. Who taught her the art of boxing like that? She's a +born fencer! She's a splendid girl. I never met any one like her." + +Elma did not feel so much annoyed at this praise of Kitty as Alice would +have been; but all the same it was scarcely gratifying to her. After +reflecting for a moment, during which Fred was preparing to continue his +swinging pace toward his home, she said suddenly: "But where was she +going, Fred?" + +Fred's big blue eyes lit up with a sudden light of intelligence. + +"What a fool I am!" he said. "You perhaps can throw light on this +mystery. She wanted to see you, Elma. I cannot imagine what about. You +know how fond she is of her brother Laurie? Well, it seems that Laurie +got into some sort of scrape; and Kitty, poor girl, she was in a way +about it; fretting like any thing, and she said no one could help her +but you. Can you tell me what she wanted with you? She was in a rare +hurry to get to your house." + +"Of course I cannot tell," answered Elma. "Who could be responsible for +the vagaries of Kitty Malone? I thought I would ask you. I thought +perhaps you would know. Of course they are talking about it at school, +and they are wondering what I can have to do with it. It is anything but +pleasant for me I can tell you." + +"Oh, you'll manage well enough; you'll fight your own battles. Well, +what have they done with her at the school? You look quite mysterious." + +"I forgot I had never mentioned it to you. They have sent her to +Coventry; Miss Sherrard has done it. We are none of us to speak to her +for a week." + +"Whew!" said Fred, rounding his lips for a prolonged whistle. "Well, +that won't bother Kitty much; I don't suppose talking to you would be +much of a loss to her." + +"But you don't understand, Fred. It's the disgrace, and Gwin Harley +thinks it will break her heart; and--But I must not tell you any more; I +must hurry home." + +"Poor Kitty! Anyhow, there's no embargo put on my talking to her," said +Fred to himself. "Poor old Kit, poor old girl; I'll make it up to her if +I can." + +Fred ran home as fast as he could, and Elma continued her way. + +"There's no doubt of it," she said to herself; "she wants that money. +She will manage, Coventry or not, to ask for it. She promised me +faithfully that she would never tell that I borrowed it from her; but, +being an Irish girl, she is scarcely likely to keep her word. Now that +she is in trouble for some unknown cause, she is certain to blab it +out. Did she not say herself that she could never keep a secret? Oh +dear, what an awful mess I have got into. If it gets to be known that I +borrowed eight pounds from Kitty I shall be expelled. If there is a rule +that the Middleton governors are strict about, it is that by which the +girls are forbidden to borrow money from one another; and eight pounds +is such a large, large sum. All my future will be ruined if this is +known. I had better give her back all the money that is left, and at +once. It would be the safest plan. I can at any rate let her have seven +sovereigns; and perhaps if she has that, she will not say anything +whatever about the matter. How miserable I shall feel without it; but +anything, anything is better than the dreadful fact getting to Miss +Sherrard's ears that I broke one of the strictest rules of the school, +and borrowed eight pounds from Kitty. The Tug-of-war Society would never +again have anything to do with me. I should have the poorest chance of +remaining in the school. It would get to Aunt Charlotte's ears. Yes, +yes; all my future depends on keeping this thing dark. I must get rid of +that dreadful money as quickly as possible. I thought my luck was going +to turn; but it is far too good to be true that I might keep such a +large sum of money safely. Poor Kitty! yes of course, I'm sorry for her; +but she is certain to tell on me. She would think nothing of getting me +into the most terrible scrape. I--I am bound to think of myself first." + +At this point in her meditations Elma reached the house in Constantine +Road. She ran up the steps, let herself in with a latchkey, and went +straight to her room. She opened the drawer where she kept Kitty's +precious sovereigns and put in her hand to take out the little paper +parcel. More than once since she had possessed this money had Elma +examined that little packet, getting up early in the morning to gloat +over it, looking at it the last thing at night; but always taking care +that Carrie should be sound asleep. It gave her comfort, the comfort +almost of a miser to gaze at her gold. She used to forget at these +supreme moments that the gold was in reality not hers at all. She used +to forget everything but the delightful sense of possession. She felt as +if she could never spend the money, as if she must hoard it and hoard it +just for the mere pleasure of looking at it. She knew the exact corner +of the drawer where she kept it; no one ever dared to meddle with Elma's +drawers. She kept the rest of the family more or less in awe of her. As +to Maggie, she was honest as the day. But what was the matter? Search as +she would she could not find the precious little packet. She looked +frantically here, there, and everywhere. Soon she had removed the drawer +from its case and had tumbled all the contents on her bed. Nowhere was +the money to be found. Elma's face turned white as a sheet. She trembled +from head to foot. In the midst of her meditations Carrie entered the +room. + +"My dear Elma, what is the matter?" she cried. + +A glance had shown her what was really wrong. A smile crossed her face. +She walked deliberately across the room and flung herself on her bed. + +"How hot it is," she said with a pant. + +"Dear me, Carrie, why are you so incorrigibly lazy?" said Elma. "Not +that I care--I am in dreadful trouble I------" + +"You look like it," said Carrie. "What is the matter?" + +"I am looking for some money." + +"Money? What money are you likely to have?" + +"Well, it so happens that I have some--a good deal. Carrie have you seen +it?" + +"Have I seen what?" asked Carrie in a provokingly drawling voice. + +"Why, my money. How did you think I got that dress, that dress which you +are racking through at such a furious pace?" + +Carrie was attired in the pale blue nun's-veiling. It was Carrie's way +to have a dress and to wear it morning, noon, and night, destroying all +its freshness. The nun's-veiling was already dirty and draggled-looking. + +"How do you think I got that dress that you made such a fuss about if I +had not money to pay for it?" + +"I am sure I couldn't tell, and what's more, I didn't care," said +Carrie. "What is vexing you now, Elma? Oh! what a commotion you are +making in your poor drawer!" + +"I have just lost seven sovereigns and--Carrie, I see by your face that +you do know something about it. Is it possible that you stole the +money?" + +"How dare you accuse me of such a thing?" said Carrie, flaring up in +apparently most righteous indignation--- in reality she was enjoying +herself immensely. She had made up her mind not to tell Elma the truth +at present. By and by she would tell, after she had well frightened her +sister, but certainly not yet. + +"I know nothing whatever about it," she said, caring little for the lie +which she was telling. "I am sorry you have lost it; but how did you get +it?" + +Elma was silent, shutting up her lips tightly. The dinner-gong sounded, +and the girls went down to their midday meal. + +Carrie soon perceived that Elma was in real trouble. With all her low, +idle, careless, and unprincipled ways, at the bottom of her heart she +was fond of her sister. She made up her mind to visit Sam Raynes that +evening and get him to return the money. + +"Poor old Elma," she said to herself. "I don't want to be too hard on +her. It is not the fun I expected when she looks at me with such +miserable eyes. It would certainly not do for her to get talking to +Maggie." + +"You leave the matter to me. I may have a clue," she said, when dinner +was over. "But rest assured on one point, Maggie has nothing to do with +it, nor has mother." + +Here Carrie ran upstairs, to put on her things preparatory to returning +to her pupils. + +Elma was now alone. The hour was three o'clock. At half-past four she +was to meet Gwin Harley and the rest of the Tug-of-War girls. In the +meantime she knew she could not possibly have any peace of mind until +the seven sovereigns were discovered. + +Mrs. Lewis had gone up as usual to her room to lie down. She had a +headache and was in very low spirits. Elma glanced at her once or twice +and determined not to worry her; but Maggie she considered her lawful +prey. She had given Carrie no promise, and felt sure that Maggie and +Carrie between them were at the bottom of the mystery. She determined to +go into the kitchen and terrify Maggie into confession. + +That young woman was busy giving sundry touches to the charming toque +with which she intended to electrify her young man on the following +Sunday. + +"Maggie," said Elma, "I wish to speak to you." + +"Oh lor! miss, how you startled me," cried Maggie. She jumped up as she +spoke, dropping Kitty's violets to the floor. They were so natural, so +beautiful, so exactly like the real flowers, that more than one girl had +remarked upon them, and among these had been Elma. As they lay on the +by-no-means-too-clean kitchen floor, she stooped now to pick them up. + +"Where did you get these?" she asked in a sharp voice. + +"Oh, Miss Helma, they're mine, and you have no right to 'em," was the +quick reply. + +"Where did you get them, Maggie? You're a bad girl; you must have stolen +them." + +"I steal 'em! I like that," said Maggie, turning first crimson and then +very white. "They was give to me by the young Irish lady." + +"By Miss Malone, Miss Kitty Malone?" + +"Yes, miss; the prettiest young lady I ever clapped eyes on; she give +'em to me herself." + +"Look here, Maggie," said Elma, "the violets don't matter. Let us talk +of something else. Do you know anything about some money which I keep in +my drawer upstairs? Now look me straight in the eyes. I miss that money, +and you know I can call in the police and have your boxes searched. Do +you know anything about it? If you'll tell me the truth I'll be merciful +to you. Last night I had seven sovereigns in my drawer, but now they are +gone. Did you touch them, Maggie? Tell me the truth and at once." + +"I touch your money, miss! I didn't know you had any, that I didn't." + +Poor Maggie's face was a study. Perplexity, despair, indignation swept +over it in a sort of terror. + +"Miss Helma, you're cruel to talk to me like that," she cried. "Me touch +your money! No, that I didn't. Oh, miss, is it the money Miss Malone +come about? Is it gone?" + +A wild hope flashed through Elma's brain, to be discarded the next +moment. Could Kitty have come to the house and visited her room and +taken away her own money herself? + +"What do you mean about Miss Malone?" she cried. + +"She come here miss. Oh, Miss Helma, don't look at me so scornfully. She +came here yesterday and asked for you and when I told her you was out +she writ a letter, and said you was to have it the moment you come in, +and that it was as important as the Bank of England. Yes, that she +did--and she laid it on the blotter in the dining-room. She was the +prettiest young lady I ever set eyes on, and she took them violets out +of her cap and give them to me. She was in an awful way, and said she +wanted to see you on a most important matter. I don't know what she +wrote in the letter; but it may have been about the money, miss." + +"Of course it was about the money," said Elma, who felt more and more +uncomfortable each moment; "but where is the letter, Maggie? Why did I +not get it?" + +"You ask Miss Carrie that, miss. She come in, and--. Oh, but I mustn't +tell any more." + +"But you must and shall," said Elma. She took hold of Maggie fiercely by +her arm, dragged her forward to the light, and looked her full in the +eyes. "Now, tell me every single thing you know, or I'll summon the +police this moment," she said. + +Thus adjured, Maggie fell on her knees and made an ample confession. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +GWIN HARLEY'S SCHEME. + + +Elma felt nearly driven to distraction. All her future depended on the +character which she was able to maintain at school. She did not, and she +knew it, belong to the best class of girls who attended Middleton +School. Elma's father was a man of bad reputation. He had long ago +disgraced his family, and had been obliged to go to Australia. Mrs. +Lewis was better born than her husband; and when trouble came, a sister, +who had been much shocked at her marrying Lewis, came to her aid. She +did not do much for her; but she did something. This sister, a certain +Mrs. Steward, the wife of a clergyman in Buckinghamshire, promised to +look after Elma, who was the cleverest and most presentable of the two +girls. Mrs. Lewis begged that Elma should not be taken away from her; +and Mrs. Steward, angry with herself for what she termed her folly, had +yet yielded to her sister's entreaties. She said she would give Elma +what would be better than a fortune--namely, a first-class education; +and if, when her education was finished, she showed intelligence, and, +above all, a good, sterling, moral character, she would do what she +could to place her in life. Her present intention was, after Elma had +gone through a course of instruction at Middleton School, to send her +to Girton, thus enabling her by and by to take a really good position as +teacher. + +All these things Elma knew well. She was an ambitious girl; she +earnestly desired to secure a good position for herself in life. She +hated her sister Carrie's ways, and detested the grumbling, weak sort of +character which she could not but see that her mother possessed. All the +same, she was not really scrupulous nor high-principled; it was only +that the little mean ways and the petty shifts which went on in the +small house in Constantine Road sorely fretted her. Her intercourse with +girls like Gwin Harley and Bessie Challoner could not but raise her +standard. Carrie's manners and ways disgusted her more and more each +day. + +Now, as she put on her hat and prepared to walk to Harley Grove, she +could not help thinking, with great bitterness, of the unlooked-for +calamity which had come upon her. She was naturally intensely selfish, +and had no idea of sacrificing herself on this occasion. No matter to +what subterfuge she must be obliged to stoop, she would never, never, +let any of the Middleton girls know that she had broken the rule of the +school, and borrowed money from Kitty. For a Middleton girl to borrow +money at all was a black crime; but for any one to take advantage of +Kitty's innocence, her _naivete_, her wild, daring, reckless ways would +make the crime all the blacker. Elma, were such a sin to be discovered, +would be, if not expelled from the school, which was extremely likely, +at any rate tabooed on the spot by all the nice girls who went there. +Above all things, she longed for and esteemed popularity. Such a course +of treatment would be intolerable. As a matter of course, Mrs. Steward +would be told of her niece's transaction. Mrs. Steward would say, "Like +father, like daughter." She would cease to patronize Elma. The fees for +her schooling would be withdrawn, and Elma herself must sink to the +level which Carrie had long ago reached. + +"It cannot be," she thought; "whatever happens, I must keep this +miserable story from the ears of the girls and mistresses. At the +present moment I am fairly safe. Wild and reckless as Kitty is, she +would not dare to hold intercourse with any of the Middleton girls now. +Alice is the only one allowed to speak to her, and Alice she will +certainly not confide in, for she so cordially hates her. Yes, I know +perfectly well what I am going to Harley Grove for. Gwin is full of +sympathy for Kitty; so is Bessie Challoner. Romantic and silly they both +are; but Alice at least will be on my side. I will oppose the petition +which the Tug-of-war girls intend to send to Miss Sherrard. Kitty must +not be set at liberty until I can return her the money. Carrie has it, +beyond doubt. What she has done with it I don't know; but most likely I +shall be able to give it back to Kitty to-morrow." + +Having made up her mind, Elma walked briskly forward. She would she felt +certain, be very unpopular if she opposed the vote which, unless she did +something to prevent it, would be carried by the majority in Kitty's +favor. She was anxious to see some of the other Tug-of-war girls. It was +all-important that a majority should be against Kitty, not for her. + +When she arrived at the avenue which led to Harley Grove she met Alice, +and a moment later two other girls of the names of Matilda and Jessie +Forbes came pantingly up. + +"Oh, do wait for us," they cried, seeing Elma and Alice linger for a +moment at the gate. + +"Alice," said Elma, "before they join us I want to speak to you. Are you +for Kitty, or against her?" + +"How do you mean?" asked Alice in some wonder. + +"I mean, are you going to vote that this petition should be sent to Miss +Sherrard or are you not?" + +"I am going to vote against it, of course," said Alice, with a short +laugh. + +"Well, I am on your side; I wish to say so." + +"You, Elma! I thought you would never oppose Gwin Harley. You are one of +those people who know where their bread is buttered. Why do you take my +part on this occasion?" + +"Because," said Elma, flushing deeply, for, hardened little sinner as +she was, she had not perfect control over her emotions--"because I think +Kitty richly deserves what she has got. It would never do to have this +sort of thing going on at the school. But look here, Alice, if the +petition is not to be sent to Miss Sherrard, we must try and have a +majority on our side. Why should we not secure Matilda and Jessie +Forbes?" + +"I never thought of that," said Alice; "but really, Elma, now I come to +consider it, as far as I personally am concerned, I don't much care. It +matters very little to me whether Kitty gets out of Coventry or not. I +shall have to speak to her however the tide turns. You do seem strangely +eager on the subject." + +"When I join a certain side I don't wish it to be the losing one," said +Elma, as calmly as she could. "Hullo, Matilda, how out of breath you +are! You need not have run so fast; you could see that we were waiting +for you." + +"Well, you see," said Jessie Forbes, who was also panting as she came +up, "we have never yet been to Harley Grove. Is it not a very grand +place, Elma? Was it not kind of Gwin to ask us, and--Oh, of course, we +are full of sympathy for that poor, dear Kitty Malone." + +"Why do you pity her?" asked Elma coldly. + +"Because the poor darling didn't know any better. Does it not seem silly +to make such a fuss about such a trifle? I can't imagine why Miss +Sherrard has been so very severe." + +"I don't agree with you at all," said Elma. "I think Kitty richly +deserves her punishment. Of course," she added, "I don't want to be +really hard on her; but unless she is made to feel shame when she does +an _outre_ and extraordinary thing like she did last night, she will go +on doing similar deeds, and get the whole school into disgrace." + +"Oh dear, yes," said Jessie, "that is perfectly true, and I should not +like father to know that one of the Middleton girls had been spoken to +by a rude boy in the street. I really believe he would take us both from +the school." + +"If you think so," said Elma, "you ought to oppose the petition." + +"Are you going to, Elma?" + +"Certainly." + +"But you are a friend of hers, are you not?" + +"Of course I am. I am very fond of her." + +"And you oppose it for her good?" + +"Undoubtedly; altogether for her good." + +"And Miss Sherrard does know what is right," said Matilda, in a +thoughtful voice. "Miss Sherrard was never a severe teacher. We all love +her dearly." + +"And she is very fond of Kitty," said Elma. "I know that for a fact." + +"Yes, and so do I know it to my cost," said Alice shrugging her +shoulders. She walked up the avenue as she spoke. Jessie ran after her. + +"What side are you going to take Alice?" she asked. + +"Miss Sherrard's," replied Alice shortly. + +Meanwhile Elma had slipped her hand gently through Matilda's arm, and +looking up into the face of the taller girl, said in her most +insinuating voice: + +"I do think, painful as it is, that we ought to take Miss Sherrard's +side. Gwin is so enthusiastic, poor dear, and so is Bessie Challoner, +that they are certain to be led away by their feelings. Now, Miss +Sherrard is the most sympathetic and kindest of head-mistresses, she +would not have given Kitty so severe a punishment without reason." + +"That is true," said Matilda. "Only, of course, you see, Elma, I don't +want to go against Gwin. I am so terribly anxious to become her friend. +I admire her so immensely. I don't think there's any other girl in the +school to equal her." + +"I should think there isn't," said Elma with sudden warmth. + +"I am sorry she has taken Kitty Malone's part--poor Kitty! We certainly +all think her charming; but if father were to hear of it!" + +"You would not like him to take you from the school now," said Elma, +"just when you have such a good chance of the literature scholarship?" + +"I should think not; it would be a dreadful blow. But he would be--oh, I +cannot tell you how shocked he would be!" + +"And he would be more shocked, would he not, if he heard that you had +taken Kitty's part, and had signed the petition against Miss Sherrard?" + +"Of course, I never thought of that. I declare Elma, you are clever. I +will mention what you say to Jessie, and tell her that she must go +against the petition." + +Elma felt that she had won her point. There would be at least four girls +against Gwin's motion, and probably others would follow their example. + +When the girls arrived at the house, they were shown immediately into +Gwin's pretty private study. Gwin was standing by the open window. She +had a book in her hand, but was not reading it. She was looking +anxiously out. There was a perplexed expression on her fine face, and +her large deep gray eyes were full of emotion. + +"I am so glad you have come," she said when she saw the girls. "I hope +all the Tug-of-war girls will be present. The more I think of this +affair the more certain I am that it will be the ruin of Kitty Malone." + +Elma looked sympathizingly at her friend, Alice frowned, Matilda and +Jessie did not know where to look, nor what to say. If they had not met +Alice and Elma they would have certainly gone heart and soul with Gwin +in the matter. + +"Sit down, won't you, girls?" said Gwin. "Tea will be ready in a +moment--are you not thirsty?" + +"Yes, it's a very hot day," said Jessie, somewhat timidly. + +"And you had a long walk; but it was really kind of you to come. We +won't do anything until some more of the Tug-of-war Society arrive. But +perhaps my letters have not reached the others." + +"Oh, I know the Hodgsons are coming," said Matilda Forbes, "because I +met them." + +"I am glad of that. Ah, and here is Bessie." + +Bessie Challoner at this moment entered the room. She shook hands with +the Forbes girls, whom she had not met before that day, nodded to Alice, +and going up to Gwin began to whisper in her ear. + +Gwin looked more anxious. + +"All the same I am determined to do it," she said. + +"I am certain Miss Sherrard will be very angry," said Bessie. "Had you +really better, Gwin?" + +"I certainly had better. I am not afraid of Miss Sherrard, nor twenty +Miss Sherrards, when I think I have a righteous cause. She does not know +Kitty as well as I know her. Ah, here you are," she said as, the +Hodgsons, two rather dowdy, but affectionate girls, came quickly into +the room. + +"What's this Gwin?" cried Mary, the elder; "something wrong with that +Irish girl? What can be up?" + +"I will explain everything to you after we have had tea. Ah, here it +comes!" + +Gwin walked to the table, where the footman now placed tea and cakes, +and began to dispense the refreshments. The girls stood round her +chatting, munching cake and drinking tea. The afternoon sun poured into +the room. Outside it was cool and shady. Gwin went to the window and +drew down the green venetian blinds. + +"Now, that is cooler," she said. "Have you all had enough?" + +"Yes, thank you," answered one or two. + +Gwin rang the bell, and the servant came to remove the tea equipage. + +"And now to business," said Gwin. "What I briefly propose to do is this: +Kitty Malone is in trouble. As a member of the Tug-of-war Society, the +rest of the society is bound to support her. I am most anxious that she +should get all the support in our power. She is not like any of us; she +has been differently brought up. What she did last night was the result +of impetuosity and overzeal. She was troubled about her brother, and for +some extraordinary reason thought that Elma could help her. Elma, can +you throw any light on the matter?" + +"None whatever," answered Elma in a stout voice. + +"She went out with the college cap on and without her jacket, and for +that reason some rough, rude boys talked to her, and she knocked one of +them down in trying to defend herself, and so got into a terrible +scrape. Miss Worrick, it seems, witnessed the transaction, and she told +Miss Sherrard. Miss Sherrard was very much annoyed, and has put Kitty +into Coventry for a week. We are none of us allowed, on pain of instant +dismissal, to speak to her. Now, my proposal is this; that we write a +little petition, and each of us sign it, and then that I take it to Miss +Sherrard. I want to ask Miss Sherrard to allow the members of the +Tug-of-war Society to speak to Kitty. I want to ask her to allow us all +to do our best during her week's punishment to show her that this wild +and erratic way will not go down in England; I want her to allow us to +do our utmost by kindness to overcome Kitty's wild nature. I have +scarcely any doubt, girls, that Miss Sherrard will approve of our +scheme." + +"Well, I for one approve of it most heartily," said Bessie Challoner. "I +believe severity would ruin a girl like Kitty. You cannot drive her; she +must be led." + +"Thank you, Bessie. I knew you would feel with me. And now, girls, I +will put this thing to the vote. All who are in favor of the scheme hold +up their hands." + +The Forbes girls looked tremblingly, with flushed cheeks and glittering +eyes, at Elma and Alice. Their hands went half up and then dropped again +into their laps. It was the fear of their father's displeasure which +prevented their going altogether with Gwin. The Hodson girls immediately +held up their hands; but Alice, Elma, Matilda, and Jessie plainly showed +that they did not mean to sign the petition. + +"Is this possible?" said Gwin in a vexed voice. "I surely thought there +was not--Elma, you must be at the head of this. What is your reason for +not joining us?" + +Alice looked as if she were about to speak; but Elma jumped at once to +her feet. + +"I don't join you because I do not agree with you, dear Gwin. I believe +Miss Sherrard knows a great deal better than we do what is good for a +girl. I am certain she will be much annoyed by our interfering; and for +my part I think a week in Coventry will do Kitty Malone no harm." + +"I am surprised and disappointed in you, Elma," said Gwin, "Alice, what +is your feeling?" + +"Oh, I absolutely agree with Elma," said Alice. "I think it would be a +rare comfort to take any means to subdue and crush out of sight, even +for one week, that most obnoxious person Kitty Malone. The unfortunate +part is that I shall have to do with her even during her week in +Coventry." + +"But surely," said Gwin, in some astonishment, "you two Forbes girls can +have nothing to say against Kitty. It cannot injure you in any way that +we should plead for the mitigation of her punishment." + +"Well, the fact is this," said Jessie, standing up as she spoke, and +looking very miserable. "Father is most particular; he is almost faddy, +you know, Gwin--and if he ever heard that a girl from the school did +exactly what Kitty did last night--I mean that she went out so late +against rules, and was dressed in such a queer way, and was obliged to +knock down a rude boy in order to protect herself--why, I think he would +take us from school. Then if father also heard that we had gone against +Miss Sherrard's authority, we--Oh, I cannot say it exactly as I ought; +but Gwin, I would rather not sign that paper." + +"All right," answered Gwin in some vexation. + +"Then my scheme falls through. Four against and four for. We have only +one other member of the Tug-of-war except poor Kitty herself, and she, I +am afraid, cannot come, as she is ill with a bad cold. Well, I shall see +Miss Sherrard alone and must take my chance." + +"Yes, if you please; that would be much the best plan," said Jessie, +sinking down into her seat with a sigh of relief. + +Soon afterward the little party at Gwin Harley's house separated. There +was a feeling of restraint over them which Gwin's guests seldom +experienced. They were not at one. It was impossible to talk any longer +on the subject with which their hearts were full. Gwin was anxious to +prepare the exact arguments she intended to use with Miss Sherrard. She +looked relieved when Elma made the first move of departure. Alice jumped +up also with alacrity. + +"Good-by Gwin," she said. "I think you are doing wrong to interfered in +this matter. A little punishment will do Kitty Malone no more harm than +it does any other girl. Of course it's not pleasant; punishment never +is. Good-by; take my advice and allow Kitty Malone to shift for +herself." + +Gwin made no reply at all to this. She gave Alice a cold nod, and the +four girls who now formed the opposition left the house. + +"Good-by to all chance of my friendship with Gwin," said Jessie Forbes +rather miserably as they walked up the avenue. + +"Oh, never mind, Jessie, you did the right thing," said Alice. "What is +the good of toadying? I hate toadies. If you are ever to become a +friend of Gwin Harley's you will see that she hates them also, although, +perhaps I am wrong to say that." Here she glanced somewhat significantly +at Elma. Elma colored and turned her head aside. + +When they reached the top of the avenue the girls turned each to go +their several ways. Elma hurried home as fast as she could. + +"I must get that money by hook or by crook this evening," she said to +herself. "I wonder where Carrie has hidden it. Bad as she is, she would +certainly not steal it from me. Oh, it is safe of course, and I must get +it and manage to convey it to Kitty to-night, and then as far as I am +concerned I don't care how soon the poor thing gets out of Coventry." + +When Elma reached home the first person she saw was Carrie. Carrie was +standing on the steps of the shabby little villa in Constantine Road +talking to a fiery-haired young man. + +Elma never condescended to have anything to do with Raynes. Giving him a +very cold nod now, she was about to enter the house when Carrie caught +her arm and stopped her. + +"Why don't you speak to Sam?" she said. "Sam, this is my sister, Elma." + +"How do you do?" said Elma. "I am sorry I cannot wait now; I want to see +mother." + +"There's no use in your going in if it's mother you want," pursued +Carrie. "She has gone out for the evening. Mrs. Duncan has asked her to +tea. I am glad of it. A little change will do her good." + +"I won't keep you now, Car," said Raynes, turning to Carrie and giving +her a somewhat clumsy nod. He looked askance at Elma, and the next +moment had clattered down the steps, and, turning the corner, was out of +sight. + +"What a creature!" said Elma. "I wonder you have anything to do with +him, Carrie. I think, even for my sake, seeing that Aunt Charlotte is +doing so much for me--" + +"Now stop that," said Carrie; "I won't have a word of abuse against Sam. +He suits me very well. I'm not a fine lady, and I never mean to be a +fine lady. I shall be very comfortable as his wife some day, and I don't +want you to abuse him. Whether you like him or not, he is going to be +your brother-in-law and--Why, Elma, how tired you look!" + +"I am tired and worried, and I want to speak to you," said Elma. + +"To speak to me?" answered Carrie, a little alarm coming into her voice +in spite of herself. "What for? Anything special? Are you prepared to +make me a present of another dress; I could do with a white one now the +weather is getting so very hot, and Sam would like me in white. White +with pink ribbons would be a change, or mauve--mauve ribbons look so +sweetly cool with white." + +"I am not going to listen to any of your nonsense," said Elma. "I want +to ask you a straight question. Where is my money?" + +"Your money? What do you mean?" + +"What I say. I have heard the whole story from Maggie, and I can bring +her as a witness. You have put that money in hiding, and I want it at +once. There, Carrie, like a dear old soul, do own up. Let me have the +money without any more delay. Of course you have not stolen it. I know +you have not; but you have hidden it. I wish you would give it back now. +If I can't return it to its rightful owner to-night I shall get into +worse trouble. Do let me have the money back." + +Carrie's face also now became pale. + +"I wish I could," she said in a frightened voice. "Do you mean to say +that you really want it back?" + +"Why, of course. You haven't spent it? Oh, if you have I am +ruined--ruined for life." + +"No, I have not spent it; but the fact is I--What a little wretch that +Maggie was to tell!" + +"She couldn't help herself; I made her. Now, speak out, Carrie. Oh, we +need not go indoors. Where is the money? Please, please, Carrie, let me +have it at once." + +Elma's troubled face, her trembling hands, the anxiety depicted all over +her nervous little figure, could not but show Carrie that there was +something serious in the wind. + +"Well," she said, "I am awfully sorry. I--I just did it in a fit of +mischief. I read that letter which Kitty Malone wrote to you, and it +seemed to throw light on some of your actions which had puzzled me of +late. I went to your drawer and found the money, and thought I would +give it to Sam to keep for you." + +"To Sam Raynes?" cried Elma, backing a few steps, her voice assuming a +tone of terror. + +"Yes. Do be careful, Elma, or you'll fall right down into the area. Why +shouldn't I lend it to Sam Raynes?" + +"Lend it?" + +"Well, well, it's all the same; I asked him to keep it for me." + +"I'll go to him at once and get it," said Elma, preparing to run down +the steps. + +Carrie caught her by the arm. + +"I'm awfully sorry," she said, "but it's no use, he--he says we cannot +have it for a week, perhaps a fortnight. He is doing a little deal with +it, as he expresses it. He says perhaps we'll have it back doubled." + +"What can you mean, Carrie?" Elma knew nothing whatever about +speculation. That will-o'-the-wisp which leads so many astray had not +yet entered into her life. + +"You need not look so miserable. Won't you like to have it back again, +not seven pounds but fourteen? and Sam says this will probably be the +case in a week or a fortnight, or at any rate in a month from now." + +Elma threw up her hand in despair. + +"If I have to wait a month for the money," she said, "I may as well +never have it. Oh Carrie, what have you done? You have ruined me, ruined +me! Carrie, I cannot lead a low, common life like yours; I am not fit +for it. Oh, Aunt Charlotte will never do anything more for me after +this. Kitty wants the money, and I cannot give it to her. Oh, Carrie, to +think that you should have ruined my life!" + +Poor Elma covered her face with her trembling hands and went into the +house. She entered the shabby little sitting-room and sank into the +nearest chair. Carrie stood near her in real perplexity and agitation. + +"What a pity you didn't confide in me when you brought it home," she +said. "Of course I didn't really want to do you an ill turn, Elma; but +you were so sly and secretive, and--and I thought I would have my joke. +You don't know how precious dull my life is; and when I saw that letter +and felt that you were keeping a nice little hoard of money, all private +and without the knowledge of your sister, it was just too much for me, +and I took it to Sam because I didn't know where to hide it safe in this +house." + +"The thing that matters," said Elma, "is the fact that I cannot get it +back. But I must get it; I must see Sam Raynes at once." + +"Tell me why it is so bad," said Carrie. "You must confide the whole +thing to me now. There's no use in keeping secrets from your sister." + +Thus adjured, and because she was almost distracted, poor Elma did tell. +She described as well as she could the terrible position she would be in +at Middleton School if the whole of this transaction were known. She +managed to a certain extent to open Carrie's eyes. + +"Although, I cannot see what they would be so angry about," said Carrie. +"You were offered the money and you accepted it. You never wanted to +keep it; you would have given it back some time; and even if you did +keep that Irish girl out of it for a month, what would it have mattered? +But there--I see you are in a state, and I am sure I don't want to ruin +your life. You, with your high-faluting notions, must not have all your +ambitions dashed to the ground. We'll go together to see Sam, and try to +find out what can be done." + +"Yes, let us go at once," said Elma in feverish haste. "I wanted to take +the money to Kitty to-night. At present she cannot tell on me; but she is +quite certain to do so if I don't return it to her at once. Let us go +down to see Sam now." + +"All right," answered Carrie; "come along. I dare say we'll find him at +home. I hope we shall." + +Five minutes later the girls were standing outside the door of the +Raynes' very humble dwelling. It was opened by Florrie Raynes herself. + +"Hullo, Carrie, what do you want now?" she cried. "Oh, and _Miss_ +Lewis," with a mocking emphasis on the word "Miss." "To what do we owe +the honor of this visit?" + +"I want to see your brother," said Elma brusquely. "He has got some +money of mine, which I must ask him to have the goodness to return at +once." + +"Money?" said Florrie, opening her eyes rather wide. "Well, you can see +him for yourselves; but if it's money that is lent to Sam, I--I rather +pity the girl who wants to get it back from him again. Sam is a very +whale on money. He always swallows it wholesale." + +With these anything but encouraging words, Florrie threw open the door +of the shabby little smoking-room, where Sam, with a pipe in his mouth, +was lying at his ease. He started up when he saw the girls, removed his +pipe, and going up to Carrie, laid his hand familiarly on her shoulder. + +"Well, Car, so you could not do without me," he said with a smile. + +"The fact is this," answered Elma, "my sister has told me that she gave +you seven pounds a couple of nights ago to keep for her. That money +happens to have been lent to me, and I want it back immediately. I have +come for it. Will you give it to me, please?" + +Sam drew in his breath preparatory to giving a long whistle. + +"Highty! tighty!" he cried. "You have very grand airs, Miss Elma Lewis; +but I didn't know that money was borrowed. Ho! ho! this puts a very +unpleasant complexion on things. When dear old Car brought it to me I +thought I might do what I liked with it. Did you not give me to +understand as much Car?" Here he gave Carrie a perceptible wink. She was +very much under his influence, and immmediately too her cue. + +"Well, yes, Sam," she answered. "I did say you might speculate with it +if you liked." + +"Of course you did, my little girl, and I took the hint and did +speculate with it, and a pretty little deal I made. So if you have +patience, Miss Elma, you will get your money back doubled, then you will +be able to return the principal and have a nice little nest-egg of your +own. Now, what do you say to that? Aren't you awfully obliged to me?" + +"I say," replied Elma, "that I want the money immediately. I cannot wait +until you have doubled it, as you call it, whatever you mean by that. +Please let me have it at once, Mr. Raynes. I must have it, I----" + +"I am afraid you ask for the impossible," said Sam in a careless tone. +"I have speculated with the money, and the returns will come in perhaps +in a week, perhaps a fortnight, perhaps longer. I say again that you +ought to be obliged to me. It is not every fellow who would take so much +trouble." + +Poor Elma gave him a despairing glance. There was evidently nothing more +to be got out of him. She left the house without a word. Carrie followed +her into the street. + +"Oh Elma, don't look so miserable," said Carrie. "What is the good of +sinking into despair?" + +"Don't talk to me," said Elma, pushing her sister's hand away. "You have +ruined me; that is the sort of sister you are. And I would have done +anything for you, Carrie. When I rose myself and improved myself in the +social scale, when I got my post as teacher, I would have done all in my +power to aid you and mother; but now--now we must all sink together. Oh, +Carrie, to think that I should be ruined by my own sister!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +PADDY WHEEL-ABOUT'S OLD COAT. + + +It was a moonlit evening in the County Donegal, and there was a broad +bar of silver shining in burnished splendor across the beautiful Lake +Coulin. Two boys were standing on the edge of the lake. A +prettily-trimmed little boat was lying at their feet. One, the taller of +the two, was standing with his hand up to his ear, listening intently. + +"Ah, then, Pat, can't you stop that shuffling?" he cried to his younger +companion. "I can't listen if you keep whistling and moving your feet. +It is about time for Daneen to appear. Kitty is sure to send the tinos, +dear old girl. Father takes care to keep her well supplied." + +"There, I hear Dan's horn; he is coming through the Gap," cried Pat, his +face lighting up. "Stay there, Laurie, and I'll run to meet him. He'll +just be at the other side of Haggart's Glen when I get up." + +The younger boy put wings to his feet, and the next moment was out of +sight. The older boy, thrusting both his hands deep into his pockets, +stood staring straight before him into the silver light caused by a full +moon. The white radiance lit up his young person, his pronounced +features, and handsome face. There were gloomy depths in his big black +eyes, although the slightest movement, the faintest play of expression +would cause them to dance with vitality and fun; the petulant +expression, round lips, curved and cut with the delicacy of a cameo, was +very manifest. The lad was built in almost Herculean mould, so broad +were his shoulders, so upright and tall his young figure. With his head +thrown back, the listening attitude on his face, his black hair swept +from his forehead, he looked almost like a young god--all was _verve_, +expectancy, eagerness in his attitude. + +"If only Kitty is true it will be all right," he muttered. "Ah, then, +what a fool I was when I allowed the other fellows to tempt me to play +that practical joke on old Wheel-about. I don't think the governor minds +anything else; but he cannot stand our making fun of that poor, old, +half-witted chap. Never again will I do such a thing. I would not have +father know this matter for all the world. Hullo! there comes Pat. I +wonder if he has got my letter." + +"Nothing, nothing, and worse than nothing," sang out Pat, extending two +empty hands as he approached. + +"No letter for me?" cried Laurie. He stepped out of the light, and +striding up to his brother, laid one of his big hands on the boy's +slighter shoulder. "No letter? But did you really meet Daneen?" + +"Of course I did. Don't grip me so hard, old chap. He had only one +letter in his pocket, and that was for Aunt Honora, two newspapers for +father, and a heap of circulars--nothing else whatever." + +"But are you certain sure? Surely Kitty would not fail a gossoon when he +was in trouble." + +"I tell you, Laurie, there was nothing from her, nor from any one, +except that one letter for Aunt Honora; but perhaps you'll hear in the +morning." + +Laurie made no reply; his hands dropped to his sides. The next moment he +dived into his trousers pocket and extracted a few coins. + +"Have we enough for a telegram, I wonder?" he said. "Ah, to be +sure--why, we can send one now for sixpence. And I have tenpence here. +I'll wire at once. I say, Pat, we must go to the nearest post office, +and to-night. We will start now; do you mind? We can row across the +Coulin, and anchor the boat at the opposite side, and then it is only +eight miles across the mountains to Ballyshannon." + +"But James Dunovan will have shut up the office," exclaimed Pat; "and if +we are absent from supper what will father say?" + +"Old Jim knows us; he'll open fast enough when he hears that we two lads +have come on business." + +"But they can't send the telegram after the office is shut." + +"Don't make difficulties, Pat. I tell you this is a serious business. +You don't want to be banished from the country do you? We'll go +to the post office at once, and see that the message is sent to Kitty +the very first thing in the morning. Come, what are young lingering +for?" + +"Supper is waiting, and Aunt Bridget will make a fuss. You know we are +not allowed to be out after ten at night." + +"Bother!" cried Laurie. "Well, then, we must go home first. What a +nuisance. We'll have a bite, and then slink out. The dad can think we +have gone to bed. Why, Pat, old boy, I met Wheel-about to-day, and he +was like a mad man. He told me he had collected all that money for his +funeral. What apes we were to touch the coat!" + +"Sure, it's unlike Kitty not to write," said Pat. "She is the last in +the world to leave a fellow in the lurch." + +"Don't I know that? Who's fault it is it isn't hers, poor old girl. +Something has happened to the letter. Now, Pat, let us get supper over, +for we have no time to lose." + +As Laurie spoke he fastened the little boat securely by a rope to a +stone near by, and then the lads turned their backs upon the +silver-burnished lake, and strode into the darkness of a narrow mountain +defile. The path was steep, and they had to scramble up, doing so with +the agility of young ponies. + +"It is the thought of Wheel-about that bothers me entirely," said +Laurie, after a pause. "I don't want to have it lying on my soul--upon +my honor I don't--that I turned the poor old chap's brain still +crazier." + +"Oh, the money will come along before Saturday," said Pat; "and you know +you told him he must wait until Saturday. Don't you worry, Laurie. Come +on, I tell ye; there's the gong sounding at the Castle." + +The deep notes of a very sonorous old gong were distinctly borne on the +breeze; the boys ran, hurrying and panting. A few moments later they had +climbed an almost inaccessible rock, had tumbled over each other up a +lawn, and entered a huge hall, where supper was spread. Squire Malone +was seated at the head of the table; down both sides were crowded +guests and different retainers--Squire Malone's cousins, all of them, +some to the fifth or sixth removed. Miss Honora Malone was at the foot +of the table, and Miss Bridget presided at the tea tray at one of the +sides. + +"Sit down, you lads," roared the squire when he saw his sons; "you have +been keeping us waiting. Now take your places and fall to." + +The boys dropped into the seats reserved for them without a word. They +were hungry, and enjoyed the abundant fare provided. Miss Honora began +to address them with a volley of words. + +"Ah, then, boys," she said, "it is ashamed of you I am. Why should you +come in to supper like that, without your hair brushed or your hand +washed and looking as rough as a pair of young colts? Look at me, now, +how neat I am--I have changed my dress for the evening." As she spoke +she glanced at her thin arms, bare to the elbow, and touched the gold +chain that encircled her scraggy throat. "You'll never get Dublin +manners, you two," she continued, "and what will you do when you go into +society? Ah, it is enough to break the heart to look at ye." + +Laurie winked boldly at her; Pat laughed, and helped himself so some +potatoes. + +"Dennis," called out the lady, addressing her brother, "don't you agree +with me that it is very bad manners on the part of the boys to come to +supper without so much as washing their hands or brushing their hair? +Ought they not to put on evening clothes now that they are almost +assuming manhood's estate?" + +"Oh, leave 'em alone, Honor," was the reply. "Boys will be boys, and +Castle Malone is Liberty Hall. Time enough a few years hence to put on +that high-faluting style. I like 'em as they are: rough diamonds no +doubt, but diamonds all the same." + +The old man looked fondly at his sons. He was a picturesque-looking +figure, with snow-white hair. + +"What will you do, lads, when I send you to England to school?" he said. + +"England, father?" said Pat, turning pale. "It would kill me to leave +the soil on which I was born. Ah, now, father, I could not live through +it; and as to Laurie, why he would--Laurie, you know what you would do." + +"Oh, father's joking," said Laurie, but his face went a little white, and +as he drained off a great glass of ice-cold water his hand trembled a +trifle. + +"It would not be for the making of our happiness, father," he said, just +glancing at his father. "Pat is right--it would about kill us both." + +"You young beggars, kill you, indeed!" cried the squire. "Well, I have +not made my plans yet. I am thinking of it, and you may as well know it. +I have sent the girleen away, and if you can't stand what she can, why, +I don't think you have much grit in you. As to Pat, when he's a little +older he'll have to prepare for the army." + +"Ay, and that's a fine polishing up," said Aunt Bridget, bridling as she +spoke, and arranging the set of her very fashionable sleeve. "My jewel +of a lad, you'll know what life is like then. You'll think a deal of +your clothes, and of the sort of thing that will kill the girls then. +Why, if you know how to manage, and with my help I dare say I can +contrive it for you, you'll get easily into the very height of Dublin +society, and be petted, and spoiled, and coaxed no end. I wonder, now, +how that girleen is conducting herself. Sometimes, Dennis when I look at +you and think how your heart is wrapped up in her and how she is so to +speak the jewel of your eye and the core of your heart I wonder how you +had the courage to let her go." + +"Don't you worry me about it," cried the squire. "I did it for her good. +Laurie, where are you off to?" + +"I have had about enough supper," answered Laurie. Pat also scrambled +to his feet. + +"You are as ill-mannered a pair of young cubs as I ever came across," +cried Miss Honora, now really angry. "Why, the syllabub is coming on +soon, and the trifle, and the cream that I whipped myself. Well, Pat, +you'll have to mend your manners when you get into the army; and as to +you Laurie, you'll never be as good a squire as your father, try hard as +you may." + +A loud laugh at the head of the table interrupted the good lady's flow +of words. + +"Honora, my woman, you are talking to the air," called out the squire. +"The boys are out of earshot. Bless 'em can't you let 'em be? They are +hearty lads, and I don't think I'll send either of them out of the +country unless they happen to displease me." + +Meanwhile the lads had gone down to the lake, unshipped the little boat, +and were by this time half across the Coulin. They soon reached the +opposite shore, jumped to land, pulled up the boat, fastened it, and +started along a long narrow and mountainous path which was the shortest +cut to Ballyshannon. They walked so quickly and the hill was so steep +that they had little or no time for words. Nor were they boys who talked +much when they were alone. Laurie was given to his own meditations. Pat +was always planning some scheme which should circumvent Aunt Honora, who +lived with them, and annoy Aunt Bridget, who nearly lived with them, +although not quite. Aunt Bridget was the most fashionable member of the +family; her real home was in Dublin. She was the one who had worked upon +the squire's feelings until he had decided to send Kitty to an English +school. Pat was not fond of either of his aunts, but he disliked Aunt +Bridget the most. After an hour-and-a-half's brisk walking they reached +Ballyshannon, knocked up the postmaster, who had gone to bed, asked him +to let them in, and confided to him what they wanted. He was a +hearty-looking Irishman, and was soon as much interested in the telegram +which Laurie was to send as the boy was himself. + +"You have heard what a scrape I have got into?" said Laurie. + +"About that poor, mad fellow?" said James Dunovan. + +"Yes; some other fellows and I stole his coat away in a fit of frolic +that day when we were out in the crazy boat on the Coulin. A sudden +breeze got up and the boat upset; and the coat--bad luck to it--sank to +the bottom like a stone. We have tried to get it up, but it is all no +go; it has got right into the mud, and not all the boys in Ireland +could move it. If the squire heard we had played a trick on Wheel-about +he would just do what I don't want him to." + +"And what may that be, Master Laurie?" + +"Why, Jim, he would banish me to England. You think of that!" + +"Ah, to be sure, sir; and it would be a hard punishment entirely, and +all for a boy's freak. But how can you circumvent him, sir? that's the +puzzle, for old Wheel-about is as sly a fellow as walks. He knows his +power with the squire--there's a story about, but I have not got the +rights of it. Anyhow, the squire is always trying to help him. If he +cannot get his coat in which he has hidden all his money he will go +raving mad about the country, and the squire will soon get at the bottom +of the mischief." + +"Oh, that's all right," answered Laurie. I saw there was no help for it, +and I took Wheel-about into my confidence. He promised if I gave him ten +pounds by Saturday next to let the matter of the coat slip by. He said +he would never tell." + +"I wonder now if the craychur is to be trusted," muttered Jim, in a +thoughtful tone. + +"Oh, yes, he is, Jim; don't you meet trouble halfway. If once he gets +the money everything will be as right as possible. But this 'gram must +go off, and you must see to it for me." + +"I'll do that, sir, and welcome, the very moment the office opens its +doors in the morning." + +"How soon do you think it will reach my sister?" + +"Well, to be sure, I expect in about half an hour or an hour at the +most. I often think I'd like to see them messages a-tumbling along the +wires. Do you believe as they go by the wires sir?" + +"Oh, I suppose so; I don't bother my head about it. Now, then, Jim, hand +us a form and we'll fill it in. What do you think we had best say, Pat?" + +"Make it strong," said Pat. + +"Yes, I know that." Laurie stood biting the end of his pencil and +considering the blank form which Jimmy had provided him with. + +"We must make it powerful strong," he said after a pause. "If dad hears +this, we two are about done, Pat. He's the easiest old boy in the world, +but when once he takes the bit between his teeth he is just like Slieve +Loon, our new mare. But I must not keep you up Jim; you are wanting to +get back to your bed." + +"It don't matter, sir; don't you hurry yourself. I told the wife it was +two of the young gentlemen from Castle Malone, and she said I wasn't to +mind how much time I spent with you; it was only proper respect to the +family." + +"All right Jim. Now, then, Pat, what shall I say?" + +"Hurry up," said Pat; "if you're not sleepy I am, and the whole house +will be locked up if we are not quick." + +"I cracked a pane of glass in our window on purpose this morning," said +Laurie. "I thought it might turn out convenient." + +Pat laughed. Laurie, his face flushed, bent over the telegraph form. +After a time, during which beads of perspiration stood out on his +forehead, the following message was transcribed: + +"Miss Kitty Malone, care of Mrs. Denvers, Franklin Avenue, Middleton, +London, S.E.--Wake up, old girleen; hurry with the tin.--Laurie." + +"That's the time of day," he said. "You read it, Jim. Can you make out +the address plain?" + +"Yes, to be sure," answered Jim. "Very well, sir; this shall go. I am +sorry you're in trouble, sir; but I know the squire sends a lot of money +to Miss Kitty, for he is always coming here for postal orders." + +"Oh, I am safe to have it," said Laurie. "Well, good-night Jim, and long +life to you." + +The boys left the office and retraced their steps across the mountain. +They had gone about halfway home when they were interrupted by a curious +sort of sound, something between a croon and a chant. It came nearer and +nearer, and the next moment a grotesque figure showed clearly in the +moonlight. This was no other than Paddy Wheel-about himself. He was a +tall man, with a long shaggy beard, penthouse eyebrows, and eyes which +were lit now with a fitful and uncertain gleam. He was dressed in rags, +his hat was pushed far back on his head, his hair streamed over his +shoulders. The savage and yet pathetic-looking creature stopped now +before the two boys. + +"I say, Paddy, it is all right," said Laurie, going up to him and laying +his hand on his shoulder. "You'll get the tin I promised either +to-morrow morning or the day after. I have just sent a telegram to the +girleen in England. Why, Kitty wouldn't let you suffer; no, not if it +were to break her heart." + +A wild and yet softened look came into the man's eyes. + +"It is because of the girleen I'm fretting," he said. "Listen, you two, +I feel fit to die sometimes when I think the coat is lost, and it is all +on account of the girleen herself. Why, it was she put in the last patch +and a bit of gold was hidden in it; yes, and she sewed it round with her +own pretty hands, the darling." + +"We'll get back the coat some day, see if we don't," said Laurie. "And +meanwhile Paddy, you are safe to have your money on Saturday." + +"All right if I do," said Paddy; "if not it is all wrong. I go to Squire +Malone. Yes, I go to Squire Malone; but I'll wait until Saturday. I +promise that much, and I'll keep my word." + +"You'll keep your word for Kitty's sake?" said Laurie. + +The man nodded; again his eyes softened and changed in expression, the +next moment he had turned on his heel and was out of sight. + +"I do believe the only person he cares for in the world is Kitty," said +Laurie. "Do you remember when he was so ill he would only allow Kitty to +visit him? I say, Pat, we must get back that coat somehow; but in the +meantime the ten pounds will keep matters quiet." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +"WE ARE BOTH IN THE SAME BOAT." + + +Gwin had explained all her points, and Miss Sherrard had listened to her +with indulgence, sympathy, and comprehension. They were seated together +in Miss Sherrard's charming little sitting-room. + +"I am glad you take such an interest in Kitty," she said when the girl +had stopped speaking. + +"I do. She is uncommon; she is unlike anybody else," said Gwin Harley. +"I hope," she added, looking anxiously at the head-mistress, "that you +will feel it right so far to mitigate her punishment as to allow the +Tug-of-war girls to talk to her. This seems just the time for a society +of this sort to help its members. + +"There's a great deal in what you say, Gwin; but all the same, to my +regret, I am obliged distinctly to refuse your request." + +Gwin's face, which had been slightly flushed, now turned pale. She rose +to her feet. + +"Don't be hurt with me, dear," said the mistress in a gentle voice. "I +admire you for your kindness, Gwin, and I can also see the thing from +your point of view; but all the same Middleton School is a very +important one; there are from six to seven hundred girls here. Most of +these girls have got parents; all have got guardians and friends. It +would not do for them to know that such a wild and reckless act as +Kitty Malone has perpetrated should be passed over without a severe +punishment. Kitty will live through this week of isolation and be all +the better for it. At the end of that time you Tug-of-war girls can do +all in your power to help her. For this one week I must insist on her +living in Coventry. She will do her lessons, of course, for it would not +be at all wise to give her a holiday; but no girl belonging to the +school with the exception of Alice must speak to her." + +"I am sorry; and you will forgive me for saying, without any disrespect +to you, that I think you are wrong," answered Gwin. She now held out her +hand to Miss Sherrard. Miss Sherrard took it and pressed it gently. + +"You are a very good girl, Gwin; and I wish with all my heart and soul +that I could grant your request." + +Meanwhile Kitty had returned to the Denvers' house in a whirl of +passionate protest and indignation. She could not understand why she had +been punished. The sin she had committed did not seem to be any sin at +all to her. What did it matter how she dressed or when she went out? The +fact that she had broken a very strict rule of Middleton School did not +affect her. She was now seriously unhappy--the fetters with which she +was surrounded tortured her. How could she live through the terrible +week of isolation? And what made her more wretched than anything else +was the fact that she could not see Elma in order to get the money from +her to send to Laurie. + +Kitty and Laurie had always been more than ordinary friends. The +thoughts of each were known to the heart of the other. If there was one +person in the wide world whom Kitty loved with passion, almost with +idolatry, it was her handsome brother Laurie. The bare idea that Laurie +should plead to Kitty to help him, and that Kitty would be obliged to +turn a deaf ear to his entreaties was enough to madden the reckless +girl. + +The whole of that afternoon she spent in her bedroom, pacing up and down +like a young caged tiger. Mrs. Denvers went to talk to her, but Kitty +would not speak. She would pour out her troubles to no one. Her proud +Irish heart felt as if it would burst from misery; but she would not +stoop to the sympathy of those who, she felt, could not possibly +understand her. + +Of all the Denver family, she liked Fred the best; and when he ventured +to knock at her door in the course of the evening she did not refuse to +open it to him. + +"Come along downstairs at once, Kitty," said Fred, holding out his hand +to her. + +"I would rather stay where I am, Fred, asthore." + +"I say it's a beastly shame to have you treated like this." + +"Oh, don't begin to sympathize with me," said Kitty; "if you do, I'll +cry the ocean full of tears. I am holding them back hard now. You don't +know what a thing it is when an Irish girl fairly gives way." + +"Well, they're beastly hard on you; but I'm sure I would not cry if I +were you," said Fred. I'd just be too proud. But come downstairs to my +den, Kitty; I have made it awfully comfortable." + +"Your den?" said Kitty, her eyes lighting up; "have you got one?" + +"Yes; it's not in the house; it's in the garden, at the further end. +It's a shed; but I have made it waterproof, and I have got a little +lamp, an oil one; and we can sit there and have a jolly talk." + +For a moment Kitty's eyes sparkled with renewed hope. "And I have still +got some chocolates in my drawer," she exclaimed. "We might eat them +together and have a real good time. But oh, that money! it's the money +that's bothering me entirely. Oh dear! dear! I'll let the whole thing +out if I talk any more to you Fred. Fred, it's the true comfort you are +to me, and I'll never forget it to the longest day I live; but I can't +go to that shed with you, gossoon asthore, for if I did I'd let out +everything." + +"But why shouldn't you let out everything?" said Fred. "There's +something bothering you, and you're keeping it all to yourself." + +"But I promised I wouldn't tell, and I don't want to break my word. I +said when she asked me, 'No; I can't keep secrets;' but then it was put +in such a way that I must keep it. I can't go with you Fred; pray don't +ask me again. Good-by to you, and thank you, thank you." + +Kitty ran into her room, shut the door, locked it, and retreated to the +window, to be as far as possible from Fred's insinuating voice and ways. + +Mr. and Mrs. Denvers were out again that night, and the time dragged +terribly. Kitty wondered how she was to live through a whole week of +this torture. + +"I promised Elma that I would not tell about her asking me for that +money," she said to herself. "I wish I hadn't said so now; but she +seemed so earnest, and I really thought nothing of it at the time. Oh +dear, dear! I wonder she does not bring it to me. She must be the +meanest of the mean. I never liked her; but now I hate her. Poor, poor, +dear old Wheel-about! Don't I know what he is feeling, and what Laurie +is feeling, my broth of a boy, my Laurie, asthore! Oh, to think that he +is in trouble, and I can't help him! How I wish I was back in Ireland +now! This will break my heart--it will break my heart." + +Tears filled her eyes; but she was too proud to let them roll over. + +"I will keep them back if I die for it," she said to herself. "I am +Kitty Malone, and they will break my heart if this goes on; but I won't +cry. No, that I won't." + +While these thoughts were coursing through the poor girl's brain, there +came another knock at the door; an insistent and somewhat fierce one +this time. The handle was sharply turned, and the clear voice of Alice +was heard. + +"Open the door at once, please, Kitty," she said. + +Kitty crossed the room, turned the key in the lock, and allowed Alice to +enter. + +"I must beg of you, Kitty," said Alice, "not to lock the door again." + +"And why not, pray? You locked it last night. It was on account of that +I am now in all this trouble." + +"Really, Kitty, you are quite too ridiculous; as if I were the cause of +your trouble. You are in trouble because you disobeyed a strict rule; +and my locking the door or not had nothing whatever to do with it. You +are quite the most tiresome, inconsistent girl I ever came across." + +"Well, it is nothing to you what I am," said Kitty. She sank down on a +chair by the side of her little bed as she spoke; her expression was so +woe-begone, her face so pale, the droop of her eyes so pathetic, that +Alice was slightly touched in spite of herself. + +"I am going to see Bessie Challoner," she said. "If you were different I +would not leave you." + +"Oh, never mind me, pray." + +"All the same, I would not leave you, Kitty; for remember I am the only +girl belonging to the school who may speak to you for the next week; +but, really, your ways are so unpleasant----" + +"And I so infinitely prefer your absence to your company," retorted +Kitty. "So you may go with quite an easy mind." + +"Thanks awfully," replied Alice, with a sneer. Her momentary good-nature +had dried up like the dew. She put on her hat, wrapped a shawl round her +shoulders and left the room. + +Kitty returned to her place by the window. It was now between eight and +nine o'clock. She had refused both dinner and tea, and was in +consequence feeling weak and faint. There was a giddy sensation in her +head to which she was not accustomed. She did not connect it with the +fact that she was starving, and wondered what was the matter with her. +She was too excited and wretched to feel her ordinary appetite. She had +gone through a great deal, and her nerves were reminding her of the +cruel trick she was playing on them. It was very dull in her room; the +gas jet shed a hideous glare over the place. The room in itself was by +no means pretty, for the paper was the worse for wear, and the paint was +nearly worn through to the woodwork. The hangings to the windows and to +the two little beds were of an ugly drab color; and the view out of +these windows only revealed a narrow street. At Kitty's own home she had +a bedroom in the Castle end; the paper hung in ribbons, the door was +draughty, the bedstead rickety and old; but what a view there was from +the windows! A view of Lake Coulin and the mountains in the distance, +and the park lying verdant and green between the lake and the house. +What a breeze blew in at those windows! + +"Oh, I should never be dull if I were locked up in the dear old bedroom +at home," thought the girl. "But here! here it is enough to madden one; +and yet I must stay here, for I cannot talk to the others. I will not +allow Fred to guess my secret. Oh, what a miserable, unhappy, wretched +girl I am! I am a prisoner. Oh, if only Laurie saw me! Dear Laurie; the +darling, the treasure that he is! It would break his heart if he knew +what I am suffering." + +There were no books at all interesting to Kitty in the room, so she +could not while away the lagging hours with a novel. As a rule the +arranging of her wardrobe, the trying on of her many dresses, gave her +pleasant occupation; but she was in no humor to make herself smart that +evening. + +"I suppose the love of dress is a sin," she said to herself; "although +it is one of the rules of the Tug-of-war Society that the girls are to +be fashionably dressed. Anyhow, it seems to have been my undoing, for if +I had only gone out in somber ugly attire last night I might have the +money now for my darling Laurie; and this heavy, heavy weight would be +off my mind, and I should not be in disgrace at Middleton School--not +that that much matters." + +She went to the window, flung it open, and looked out. It was a clear, +starlit night. She could see the sky from between the long rows of +houses. She looked up at it, and then put in her head again. + +"I shall suffocate if I stay any longer in this room," she said to +herself. "After all, why should I obey Miss Sherrard? She spoke about my +word of honor; but I have not given it. I was silent--I was silent on +purpose. If I could only see Elma and get my money back all would be +right, and I could really bear the rest of this terrible week. I have a +great mind to risk it and go to her." + +No sooner had the thought entered the head of the wayward girl than she +proceeded to act upon it. She put on a long cloak which reached nearly +to her feet, a little cap of blue cloth was secured over her mass of +curling hair, and then going cautiously across the room, she took the +key out of the lock, unfastened the door, shut it behind her, locked it +from the outside, put the key in her pocket, and ran downstairs. + +"If the servants or Alice come up they will think I have gone to bed. +What fun if I keep Alice out of her bed for an hour or two!" laughed +Kitty. She was now once more in high excitement and pleasure. It never +took long to raise her volatile spirits. "I hope Fred won't be about. I +don't want to get the poor darling into mischief," she said to herself. +There was no one in sight, however. The younger children were away in +another part of the house, Mr. and Mrs. Denvers were out, the servants +were in the kitchen, Alice was with Bessie Challoner, and Fred was down +in his shed mourning the absence of Kitty, whose bright ways were +fascinating him more and more. + +"It's all right," thought the girl. She left the house, and a few +moments later was walking at a rapid pace in the direction of +Constantine Road. The thought of her disobedience, of the daring of her +own act, but added zest and pleasure to her walk. + +"How happy I shall be when I get the money," she said to herself. "I'll +coax Fred or Mrs. Denvers to get me a postal order to-morrow, and I'll +send it to Laurie at once. Oh, what a weight will be off my mind! Why, +I'll almost feel inclined to turn good again!" + +The walk to Constantine Road was a long one, and Kitty on this occasion +was determined to avoid the neighborhood of the "Spotted Leopard." In +preference she took the short cut across the common. It was very lonely +here, but she had no fear of ghosts or bogies. She walked with her +upright, young carriage, her quick, alert, dancing step. It was ten +o'clock however, before she reached Constantine Road. She ran up the +steps of No. 14, and rang the bell. The door was opened to her by the +servant, Maggie. + +"Oh, Miss Malone," cried that young woman, "is that yourself, miss? I +has got into the most terrible trouble." + +Maggie's face was flushed and blistered with crying. + +"They has took away my wiolets, miss, and I call it a bitter, cruel +shame." + +"Never mind that now, Maggie," answered Kitty, "I want to see Miss Elma. +Is she in?" + +"That she is, miss, and she shan't escape you this time. Come right into +the parlor, and I'll send her down to you." + +Kitty danced into the house. As far as her appearance now went she had +never known a sorrow nor a care in her life. She stood in the center of +the room, waiting impatiently for Elma to appear. + +Maggie having shut her in, went cautiously upstairs. Elma and Carrie +were in their bedroom. Carrie was already in bed. + +Maggie, who seemed to scent mischief all round, thought she would now +act with considerable guile. She knocked a low and gentle knock on the +panel of the door. Elma came to open it. + +"What is it, Maggie?" + +"Miss Helma, will you come outside on the landing for a minute?" + +Elma went out. + +"I have a bit of news about that money, miss. If you'll come right down +to the dining-room I'll tell you there." + +"News about my money, Maggie? Oh, impossible!" But hope, ever ready to +dawn in the human breast, could not help rising now on poor Elma's +horizon. It all seemed utterly impossible; but what earthly sense would +there be in Maggie telling a lie. + +"I was just getting into bed," she said. "Can't you tell me here?" + +"No, miss, it's not me at all; it's news of the money you'll get if you +just come down to the dining-room, and be quick about it." + +"Well, _I_ may as well go. Is there anybody there?" + +"You go and find out, miss." + +"Oh!" thought Elma, "Sam Raynes has repented. He was able to find money +after all, and has brought it to me. This is nice." + +"What's the matter, Elma?" called Carrie from her bed. + +"Nothing, Carrie. I'll be back in a few moments." + +Elma hastily refastened her dress; put up her hands to her hair to +smooth it, and tripped downstairs, full of expectation and hope. Maggie +had relit the gas in the dining-room. Elma bounded into the room. + +"Well, Sam," she exclaimed. Then she stepped back a couple of paces; she +was confronted not by Sam, but by Kitty Malone herself. + +"Kitty!" cried Elma. There was a faintness in her voice, which Kitty had +no time to remark. + +"Yes, Elma, I have come. I have broken my word of honor; but after all, +I never really gave it. I dare say I shall get into a worse scrape than +ever; but I can't help it. I came to you, Elma, because I _must_ have +that money. Will you let me have it now at once please--my eight +sovereigns--will you give them to me now? If I had seen you last night I +should not have been so miserable. I was coming to you when Fred and I +passed the 'Spotted Leopard.' Oh, please, Elma, give me my money at +once!" + +Elma's face could scarcely turn whiter. She looked piteously at Kitty. + +"I wish I could give it to you," she began; "but----" + +"What do you mean; can't you let me have my own money? You have not +spent it, not all of it, have you?" + +"Yes, I--I spent it." + +"You spent all that money! all those eight sovereigns? Oh, Elma, you +must be joking. Can't you let me have some of it back? Please, Elma, +don't say no. It is for Laurie; he is in the most awful trouble. I must +have the money, and at once." + +"I can't give it to you," said Elma. "I am awfully sorry. Sit down, +please, Kitty. Oh, Kitty, you won't tell on me?" + +"I don't know what I'll do," said Kitty. "I am nearly distracted." + +"But you promised you would not tell. You don't know what an awful +scrape I shall get into if you do. And you--oh, yes--you shall have the +money soon." + +"What do you mean by soon; to-morrow? Shall I have it to-morrow?" + +"Not quite so soon as that. Give me a week, Kitty." + +"I can't," answered Kitty. "It is a case of life or death to Laurie. +Your mother must give it to me if you cannot; but have it I must." + +"But you are rich; surely you can manage without it for one week." + +"It is not that, and I am unable to explain. Laurie must have the money. +He wants me to help him about something, and I must send it to him +to-morrow." + +"I wish I could give it to you," said Elma. "I would do anything in all +the world to let you have it back; but it isn't my fault." + +"What did you spend it on? Dress?" + +"Oh, in different ways." Elma had made up her mind not to tell about +Carrie and Sam Raynes. + +"I'll let her think that I spent the money on finery," she said to +herself. "She is sympathizing about dress. I'll let her think that." + +Kitty's hands had dropped to her sides; a look of despair filled her +face. + +"What is to be done?" she said. "I never thought for a moment you could +not let me have it back." + +"You shall have it in a week; that I promise you faithfully." + +"But a week will be no good, Elma. Oh! Elma, Elma, Laurie will suffer +for this. They will take his freedom from him; he will be like a chained +lion; he will lose his spirit; perhaps--perhaps he will die. I cannot +stand it, Elma, I cannot." + +Kitty covered her face with both her hands, and the tears which with +difficulty she had been keeping back all the evening burst forth in +torrents. Kitty did not cry as an English girl might. She cried with the +wild, passionate sobs of those who have seldom exercised self-control. +Elma was dreadfully frightened. + +"Do stop, Kitty," she said. "You make so much noise; mother and Carrie +will hear you. Carrie will come down." + +"What if she does?" cried Kitty. "Oh, Laurie, Laurie! this will break +your heart. You are ruined; ruined for life!" + +"There are more than Laurie ruined for life, it seems to me," said Elma. +"Kitty, I am ever so sorry; but if you will only be patient I will try +and think of some plan of helping you. Now, please, please, promise me +one thing--you won't tell that I asked you for this money?" + +"Why not? I must tell some one. I must get the money somehow." + +"But you made me a promise you would not tell. It is very wrong to break +a promise." + +"I don't care whether it is right or wrong. I cannot keep this secret, +Elma. I must remember Laurie, Perhaps Mr. Denvers will lend me the +money. I must think of Laurie first." + +"Please, Kitty, listen to me. If you will promise to keep my secret I'll +manage to get you the money somehow." + +"But how, Elma?" + +"Oh, I'll think out some plan. Do promise me that you'll keep my secret. +It would be my ruin if it were known. Do promise, Kitty; do, please." + +"I cannot," said Kitty. She walked restlessly to the door. "I must go," +she said; "if I don't they will discover that I am out." + +"And if they do you'll get into an awful scrape." + +"Oh, it doesn't matter; I can't be worse off than I am. My one hope now +is that they will expel me; then I'll have to return to Ireland; and +perhaps I may coax father not to be too hard on Laurie." + +"Then Kitty, you have quite made up your mind to tell all about me?" + +"I think so. I cannot imagine why it matters." + +"But it does, and I must give you the reason. I did wrong, dreadfully +wrong, ever to ask you for that money. I broke one of the strictest +rules of the school." + +"What do you mean?" + +"It is one of the strictest rules of Middleton School that no schoolgirl +must ask another to lend her money. The governors are terribly +particular. If it is ever known I shall be most likely expelled. Anyhow, +my character will be gone, and I shall be ruined for life. Oh, Kitty, +you have not such a hard life as I have. Do have pity on me." + +Kitty stood silent; she was thinking deeply. + +"You'll promise; won't you?" repeated Elma. + +"I can't say. I scarcely know what I am doing at the present moment." + +"Then listen to me. If you tell about the money I'll tell about this +visit. There; don't you see now we are quits." + +"You tell! That would be mean of you." + +"Yes. I'll tell that you broke your parole." + +"But I never gave it." + +"Oh, that is only begging the question, Kitty. Miss Sherrard understood +that you had given it. When you came here you broke it. You'll get into +a terrible scrape." + +"And you spoke to me, Elma; so you too will get into a scrape." + +Kitty's tears stopped like summer rain, and a flash of sunshine flew +across her charming face. + +"Poor Elma, you will be in hot water too," she said. "What a muddle +everything is in." + +"You see, Kitty, we must cling together, for we are both in the same +boat. I'll do my utmost to get you that money. I am sure I can manage +somehow. But you must not tell." + +"All right. I'll keep the secret until after school to-morrow. Good-by, +Elma." + +She left the house, and Elma returned to Carrie. + +"Who were you talking to all that time?" exclaimed Carrie. + +"That unfortunate girl, Kitty Malone." + +"You mean to say she was here?" + +"Yes; she came about the money. I am miserable about it. I promised to +get it for her by hook or by crook. How can I manage?" + +"Look here," said Carrie after a pause, during which she was sitting up +in bed and thinking intently. "You say that Kitty Malone is very rich?" + +"Yes, of course she is. She has more money than she knows what to do +with. Why, I tell you, Carrie, the day she lent me those eight +sovereigns I saw fifteen in her purse. Fancy a girl having fifteen +sovereigns just to do what she liked with? I could scarcely realize it. +I took the money before I knew what I was doing. She did tempt me so +sorely when she showed me her purse." + +"Oh, I'm not a bit surprised," said Carrie. "If I had been in your shoes +I'd have taken the whole fifteen sovereigns just as soon as the eight. +But listen to me, Elma; I have a plan in my head. I'll talk it over with +Sam to-morrow; perhaps we can get the money; but there's no saying. +I'll talk it over with Sam." + +"I wish you would not. I would rather not get it through his means." + +"What a dislike you have to him." + +"I have. He is not good enough for you, Carrie. Oh, Carrie, dear, I vow +and declare that I'll work for you and mother; I'll work my very fingers +to the bone; I'll do anything for you. Only don't marry that horrid +fellow." + +"How excitable you are, Elma, and queer. Sam suits me very well. Oh, if +you don't want his help you need not have it--remember it is your +scrape, not mine." + +"It is your scrape, too, Carrie. You stole the money and gave it to Sam +Raynes. You are a thief, and you have ruined your sister." + +"If you begin abusing me I shall certainly not stay awake any longer," +said Carrie; "I'm dead with sleep as it is. Now, do put out the candle, +like a good girl. I'm off to the Land of Nod." + +Carrie pulled the clothes over her head and struggled down among the +pillows. Elma stood and stared out of the window. + +"I wonder if I could do it," she said at last to herself. "It might be +the best plan; and Gwin is very kind and very rich. I wonder if I dare. +Anything seems better than my present predicament." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +"I CANNOT HELP YOU." + + +Elma scarcely slept that night. At an early hour on the following +brilliant summer's morning she stole softly out of bed, glanced for a +moment at Carrie, as she lay sleeping the sleep of the just, with her +towzled hair tossed about the pillow, and then, getting deftly into her +own clothes, left the room without arousing the sleeper. She had made up +her mind very definitely what to do. Without even waiting to get any +breakfast, she unfastened the hall door, opened it, and stepped out into +the full radiance of the summer's morning. A quick walk brought her in a +little over half an hour to Harley Grove. When she went up the ponderous +flight of steps which led to the principal door of the mansion a clock +far away struck the hour of seven. + +"It is terribly early," she said to herself, "terribly early to disturb +her; but it is my only chance. I must have time; I cannot rush this +thing. If she can help me I believe she will; and anyhow, I do no harm +by what I intend to say to her." + +Elma rang the bell, but her early summons was not immediately attended +to. Presently a servant girl, who looked as if she might be one of the +under-housemaids, unbolted and unbarred the door, and opened it a few +inches. "When she saw a neat-looking girl, in all probability a +schoolgirl, standing outside she opened it a little further and her jaw +dropped in some astonishment. + +"I have come here," said Elma to know if I can see, Miss Harley +immediately on very special business." + +"I don't know, miss, I am sure," answered the girl, who was a stranger +in those parts. "I can't say that you can see Miss Harley now, for I +think she is fast asleep and in bed, miss." + +"It is of the utmost importance or I would not disturb her," said Elma. +"I have brought a note with me; can you manage in some way to have it +delivered to her? I can wait downstairs in any of the rooms until I get +her answer." + +As Elma spoke she slipped a little three-cornered note into the girl's +hand, at the same time placing in it one of her own most valuable and +very few and far between shillings. + +"Can you manage it for me?" she said. "It is really of the utmost +importance." + +A shilling was a small bribe; but the housemaid was young and +tender-hearted. She looked again once or twice at Elma, who could wear a +most pleasing expression when she chose, and then, ushering her into a +small room to the left of the wide entrance hall, departed slowly +upstairs on her errand. + +While she was away Elma fidgeted, walking from end to end of the little +room into which she had been admitted. All depended, or so she imagined, +on her note reaching its destination. She knew Gwin's kind heart; she +was certain that if Gwin received the note, however tired and sleepy +she was, she would at least see her for a few minutes. Elma had worded +it craftily. + +"I am in great trouble," she had written. "It is connected with Kitty +Malone. I see my way to helping Kitty if you, Gwin, can help me. But I +must see you now at once. Let me come to your bedroom. I would not +disturb you if it were not a matter of life or death." + +This note, sufficiently startling in its contents, was given by the +under-housemaid to Gwin's own special maid. The girl, after some +deliberation, said she would venture to give it to Gwin, early as the +hour was. Accordingly she stole into the shaded bedroom, drew up one of +the blinds, and when Gwin opened her sleepy eyes presented her with the +little three-cornered note on a salver. + +"There's a young lady, a Miss Lewis, waiting downstairs. She brought +this note and begged that it should be delivered to you at once, miss. I +ventured under the circumstances to wake you, as the young lady seemed +from all accounts to be in a desperate way." + +"What can it mean?" said Gwin. She sprang up in bed, tore open the note, +and read the contents. + +"Is my cold bath in the room, Simpson?" she asked of her maid. + +"Yes, miss; in your dressing-room." + +"Well, I shall dress at once. Go down, please, to Miss Lewis and tell +her that I'll be ready to see her in my study in twenty minutes." + +The maid departed on this errand, which brought much relief to poor +Elma. + +In less than the time named she was summoned by Gwin's maid to come +with her to Miss Harley's study. There a moment later she and Gwin were +clasping each other's hands. Gwin was in a long white dressing-gown; her +hair streaming over her shoulders. + +"Well, to be sure, Elma," she exclaimed, "you are an early bird. Now, +what do you want with me? I am full of curiosity. You are in trouble, +and it is something connected with Kitty Malone?" + +"Yes," said Elma. "I am desperate, and I have come on a desperate +errand, Gwin. Can you manage, somehow or other, in some fashion, to let +me have the use of eight pounds for--for say a fortnight?" + +Gwin Harley gasped; not only at the magnitude of the sum demanded, but +also at Elma's audacity in asking for it. + +"You want eight pounds," She exclaimed. "But, Elma, you know the rule?" + +"Oh, yes, I know the rule; and it is because I am fairly desperate I +apply to you. You might lend the money to my sister Carrie; or perhaps +mother would be best. It might be managed so that I didn't appear to +borrow it. I would not ask for it if--if the trouble were not terrible; +and--and the secret belongs to another." + +"What do you mean?" + +"It belongs partly to Kitty Malone." + +"I cannot help you," said Gwin decidedly. + +"Why? Oh Gwin, I did not know you could be so cruel." + +"You don't understand, Elma. I am surprised that you should ask me. How +could I break one of the strictest rules of the school?" + +"Oh, but you need not really break it; I mean it could be managed in +this way: Would not your father lend mother the money? You need not do +it at all; all you have to do is to ask him." + +"You must tell me everything, Elma. This is most mysterious. Why do you +want money? Is it for yourself? You must tell me every single thing." + +"I cannot tell you, because the secret is not mine." + +"You say Kitty is mixed up with this?" + +"Yes, yes." + +"And you will not tell why?" + +"I cannot. I wish I could." + +"Then, Elma, I also must be firm. I cannot help you." + +"You will not ask your father?" + +"How could I? It would be a subterfuge--the whole thing would be a +subterfuge. I must have nothing to do with it. I am sorry, Elma, for I +see you are in great trouble; but I am powerless." + +"Then I am ruined," said Elma. She covered her face with her hands, and +the tears trickled slowly between her fingers. + +"I wish I could help you," said Gwin kindly. "Is there any other way?" + +"No other way. I want eight pounds for a fortnight--I want it +desperately. You could manage to let me have it without breaking the +rules of the school, but you will not." + +"I am truly sorry, but--I will not." + +"Oh, Gwin, if you would only trust me. We were always friends, were we +not?" + +"Yes," answered Gwin slowly. "I have always liked you, Elma." + +"We were friends," continued Elma, wiping the tears passionately from +her cheeks; "and I did think last night, when I was in such trouble, +that perhaps you could come to my aid. I thought you would trust me +without my telling you everything." + +"I cannot, Elma," said Gwin again. + +"Why?" + +Elma now looked steadily into Gwin's face. Gwin looked gravely into +hers. After a time Gwin spoke slowly: + +"Because," she said--"forgive me, Elma--you are not trustworthy." + +"Oh!" said Elma. She turned first pale and then red. + +"There is no use in my staying," she said, after a pause. "I am sorry I +got you up so early." + +"Oh, that does not matter," said Gwin, in an altered tone. "I would do +what I could to help you; but I cannot do the impossible." + +"I see that I was mistaken in you." + +"Not at all," replied Gwin. "You found me what I have always been. I am +naturally careful. I never jump to wild conclusions; I am not impulsive. +I have liked you, and I shall go on liking you in the future." + +"Even though I am not trustworthy?" + +"Yes; I shall like you for what you are. You have always been nice to +me, and I wish to be nice to you. Please understand that this will make +no difference." + +"And you won't tell what I came about?" + +"No, I shall never mention it. Now, must you go?" + +"I must," said Elma. + +The full morning light fell upon her face as she spoke, and Gwin +noticed that it looked small, pinched, and thin. + +"You must have some breakfast first," she said. She walked across the +room and sounded the bell. The servant appeared in a moment. + +"Order breakfast to be served here this morning," said Miss Harley, "for +two, please." The maid withdrew. Gwin opened the window and looked out. + +"I am very sorry for Kitty," she said, after a pause. + +Elma did not reply. After a time she said slowly: + +"Did you see Miss Sherrard last night?" + +"I did; but it was useless. She won't retract her mandate." + +A sigh of relief came from Elma's lips. + +The servant again appeared with breakfast. Gwin poured out tea for her +friend. Elma drank a cup, her throat felt dry. She saw no way out of her +difficulty. She could scarcely bring herself to eat. + +A few moments later she was on her way back from Harley Grove. She +hesitated whether to go straight to the school and wait there until nine +o'clock or to return to Constantine Road. After a little reflection she +decided on the latter course. She reached home hot and weary between +eight and nine o'clock. Carrie was seated at the breakfast table; a +letter lay on Elma's plate. + +"Why, Elma, what have you been doing out and about at this unearthly +hour?" said Carrie, as she cracked the shell of an egg by no means +fresh. + +"Where is mother?" remarked Elma, as she seated herself at the table. + +"She has a bad headache. I have sent up her breakfast. Are you going to +see her?" + +"No, I think not. I shall just have time to eat something--not that I am +specially hungry--and then start for school." + +"There's a letter on your plate. Why don't you read it?" + +"I know; it's from Aunt Charlotte." + +"Well, well, and you are interested in Aunt Charlotte more than I am," +said Carrie. "Do read your letter." + +Elma somewhat languidly tore open the envelope. The next moment she +uttered an exclamation, and her face went first red and then pale. + +"Aunt Charlotte writes to say she is coming here to-day." + +"To-day! Good gracious!" said Carrie. "She doesn't want me to stay in, +does she?" + +"Oh, no; but this is terribly awkward." + +"Why so, Elma? Why shouldn't you ask her to lend you the money?" + +"Ask Aunt Charlotte! I may as well put my hand into the fire." + +"Well, suppose I were to help you," said Carrie, after a time. + +"You, Carrie; how could you?" + +"But suppose I were to--I am not the sort of person who does anything +for nothing. What would you give me if I got you out of this?" + +"But how could you get me out of it?" + +"Why, I suppose by giving Kitty the money." + +"Carrie, you talk nonsense. Unless, indeed, you were to persuade Sam +Raynes----" + +"Oh, it's useless to worry poor Sam. He has speculated with that money, +and if he doubles it we shall have it back. I think when that time comes +the very least you ought to do, Elma is to give me half of the balance +over and above what you borrowed. That would be three pounds ten, for me +quite a nice little sum. It would keep me in ribbons, gloves, and boots +for a bit. I get such a very small salary." + +"Well, the money has not been doubled; it's time enough to talk of our +chickens when they are hatched," said Elma. She rose from her seat, +looking despairingly at the open letter which she held in her hand. + +"After all, I may as well take this up to mother," she said. + +"One moment before you go, Elma. Would you like me to help you, or would +you not?" + +"If you could help me, Carrie, of course I should be obliged." + +"And what is the punishment they have inflicted upon that Irish lass?" + +"Oh, dear me, Carrie, I told you all about that yesterday; she is in +Coventry--we are none of us allowed to speak to her." + +"All the same, you did speak to her last night, don't forget." + +"Yes, I could not help myself; but if it was found out it would go hard +with us both." + +"Then I am the one to interfere," said Carrie _sotto voce._ "I'll do my +best, Elma, and trust to you to make it up to me when I have got you out +of this scrape." + +"I wish you would do something, Carrie; but I don't suppose you can. +It's awful to think of Aunt Charlotte coming now. If I can't help Kitty, +Kitty is sure to tell, and then it will be all over the school. They +won't blame her so much as they'll blame me. Oh dear, dear! if you would +do something!" + +"Well, I promise that I just will," said Carrie. "Now go off to school +with an easy mind." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +KITTY TELLS THE TRUTH. + + +Early the next morning Kitty received her telegram. It certainly was not +at all calculated to soothe her. She was restless and miserable before; +now her hands shook so violently that she could scarcely eat her +breakfast. + +Alice acted somewhat the part of a jailer; she had to convey the +disgraced girl to Middleton School. + +"I am ill; I won't go," said Kitty, bursting into tears. + +"You had much better come, Kitty," said Alice, speaking almost kindly +for the first time in her life; she really pitied poor Kitty at that +moment. "If you will only take your punishment patiently it will soon be +over, and I know for a fact," she continued, "that many of the girls are +only too anxious to make it up to you by and by." + +"Oh, it's not that," said Kitty; "it is because I am so wretched. I have +a great trouble at home; but there, there's no use in talking to you +about it, Alice." + +"So you always say," answered Alice. "Whenever I want to be the least +bit good to you, you put me off; but never mind, I am sure I can do +without your friendship. Anyhow, I think you must come to school unless +you are so ill that mother will be obliged to send for the doctor." + +"Oh, I don't want that," said Kitty, "I never had a doctor in my life. +If you'll wait for me, Alice, I'll go upstairs and put on my hat." + +She rushed to her room, flung herself on her knees for a moment by her +bedside, and uttered a frantic prayer to Heaven. + +"Oh! God, in your mercy, keep Laurie from doing anything desperate," +cried the unhappy girl. She then joined Alice downstairs. Her face was +white; there were heavy black lines under her eyes; she had never looked +prettier, more pathetic, more likely to win sympathy from the other +girls. + +At prayers that morning all eyes were directed to Kitty Malone. She was +not allowed to sit with the others, but was given, a place on the bench +with the teachers. Here she faced the rest of the school. It would have +been a cruel position for another girl; but it did not matter to Kitty, +for she saw no one present. Her eyes, with that queer inward look in +them, were gazing straight, not at the scene before her, but at the old +home in Ireland. The squire, whom she so passionately loved, roused to +the last extremity of anger; the boy, whose heart was hers, crushed, +trapped, imprisoned, his liberty taken from him. Kitty trembled from +head to foot; she could scarcely restrain her terrible emotion. + +After school she accompanied the others to the classroom, but in +absolute silence. She was given her usual lessons to do, but at a table +by herself. Her punishment was to be carried out in all its fullness; +but, dreadful as it would seem to most, it did not touch her at all +to-day. Her head ached, her eyes felt dim. Laurie's telegram, which lay +in her pocket, seemed to scorch into the very depths of her heart. She +had not even been allowed to answer it; the whole weight of her trouble +lay unrelieved upon her. The poor child was unaccustomed to such +anguish, and her self-control was in danger moment by moment of giving +way. + +As she strove to get that dull piece of English history into her head, +as she endeavored to follow the rules of syntax, as the knowledge that +she never, never to the longest day of her life, would understand what +was meant by the possessive case, alongside with these feeble little +efforts to follow her lessons, ran the dark thought of how, by what +possible means, she could help Laurie. And more and more as the time +went on she felt that she could not keep her promise to Elma. Elma had +been cruel to her; she had borrowed her money when she knew she had not +the most remote chance of paying it back; she had spent it according to +her own saying in the most frivolous way. Now, for the first time, Kitty +learned to despise dress. How could Elma spend the money which was to +save Laurie in anything so contemptible as ribbons and finery? Kitty +looked down at her own neatly-appointed clothes; her perfect little +shoes peeped out from beneath the frill of her dress. Notwithstanding +her misery she was as neat as usual in her attire; but now she had no +heart to appreciate gay clothes, good looks, pretty ribbons--any of the +things which usually delighted her. Laurie seemed to cry to her; she +fancied she could hear his voice coming across the waters to her +ears--Laurie, who had always trusted to her, who, strong as he was, was +not quite so strong as Kitty when scrapes and troubles were about. Oh! +if only she could go to him! If only she might relieve her feelings and +tell the exact truth to Miss Sherrard! What kept her back? Nothing +whatever but the thought of Elma. She had given Elma a promise, and, +tempted as she was, she must not break it. + +As this thought came to her she remembered that she had only promised +Elma to keep the secret until after morning school. That time would soon +be up. + +"Once Miss Sherrard knows I am certain she will help me," thought Kitty, +"though I don't want to excuse myself; yet I know that a great deal of +the blame of my proceedings will be lifted from my shoulders to Elma's. +Why should I go through all the suffering, and Elma sit there looking so +calm, and quiet, and still?" + +As these thoughts rushed through Kitty's mind she glanced up for the +first time, and calmly surveyed the great room full of her +fellow-students. As if with one impulse all the girls raised their eyes +and looked back at her. There was pity on most of the faces, amusement +on a few, curiosity on a few others; but on Elma's face alone was an +expression of intense anxiety and misery. Kitty had the kindest heart in +the world. The moment she saw this expression the idea of betraying Elma +melted from her mind. + +"She does look wretched," she said to herself. "I must not speak to her; +I dare not, and yet--yet--I should like her to know that I am not going +to be hard on her." + +Kitty tore off a piece of her exercise book and managed, when she +thought no one would see, to write a little note to Elma. In this she +said, "Don't be afraid, Elma; I have made up my mind not to tell." + +This note she twisted up, and, as the girls were going to the playground +for recess, managed to flash an intelligent glance toward Elma. Elma +approached close to her table, Kitty stretched out her hand, and Elma's +fingers were just about to close over the note, when, by an unlucky +chance, there came a breeze through the window, and the note, for some +inconceivable reason, fluttered from Kitty's hand to the floor. In an +instant Miss Worrick had seen it. She was just stepping forward when +Elma like a flash caught it up and tore it into fragments. She would not +for the world have the note seen. Miss Worrick, filled with anger, came +up to Kitty. + +"You are a bad girl, the worst girl I know," she said. "You are not even +honorable. Did you not give your parole that you would not hold +communication with another girl in the school, and yet you have been +trying to communicate with Elma Lewis by means of writing?" + +"Writing is not speaking," said Kitty, now standing up very erect and +proud, and replying to Miss Worrick as pertly as she could. + +"Don't answer me, miss; you grow worse and worse. Elma Lewis, do you +know anything about that note?" + +Kitty looked full at Elma. If she was going to be true to Elma, would +Elma be equally true to her?" + +"I know nothing about it," said Elma promptly. + +Kitty's eyes filled with withering scorn; an expression of disdain +curled her pretty lips. + +"You are quite certain, Elma? Kitty Malone seems to have a great anxiety +to communicate with you. Can you throw any light on the scrape she has +got into?" + +"I know nothing whatever about her secrets; I--I have nothing to do with +them," said Elma in an agitated voice, which she endeavored in vain to +render calm. + +Gwin Harley, who had stopped on her way out of the classroom, paused to +listen to Elma's words. + +Kitty's face was now white as death. She did not glance at Elma; she was +looking the other way. + +"Leave us, girls," said Miss Worrick. + +The next moment the great classroom was empty, with the exception of +Miss Worrick and Kitty Malone. Kitty was standing upright as a dart. + +"Take me to Miss Sherrard; I want to speak to her," she said. + +"I am certainly going to take you to her. You are a very, very wicked +girl. I doubt not you will be expelled." + +"Oh, I hope I shall," said Kitty. "I should like nothing in all the +world better." + +"You would? You are quite incorrigible. Do you know, you wretched girl, +what it means?" + +"No," answered Kitty; "I wait for you to tell me. What does it mean, +Miss Worrick?" + +"That you are tainted for life, disgraced for life. Wherever you go it +will be always remembered to you that your conduct was so bad at school +that you were obliged to be expelled." + +"But that won't matter in old Ireland," said Kitty with a hollow, +forced laugh. + +"Yes, it will; it will break your father's heart. There are no people so +proud as the Irish. They can stand a good deal; but any cloud on their +honor----" + +"Ah, you are right," cried Kitty, standing still, and a queer change +coming over her face. "Our honor--no one ever touched that yet." + +"It will have a nice blow when you are dismissed from Middleton School," +said Miss Worrick, glad to find a point in Kitty's hitherto invulnerable +armor. "Come with me at once, you bad girl. I must explain your conduct +to Miss Sherrard." + +"I have something on my own account to say to Miss Sherrard," answered +Kitty in a proud voice; "something which will explain a good deal." + +"I am glad to hear it; but I scarcely think any words of yours can +remove the stigma on your character. But come; I have no time to argue +with you further." + +Miss Worrick now led the way into Miss Sherrard's little sitting-room. +Miss Sherrard was standing near the window; she turned quickly when she +saw Miss Worrick, and a displeased and withal a troubled glance filled +her eyes as they rested upon Kitty." + +"Anything fresh?" she said, turning to the teacher with a weary +expression in her voice. + +"Only just what I expected," said Miss Worrick with bitterness. "Kitty +Malone is not to be trusted. Yesterday she gave her word of honor----" + +"I didn't," interrupted Kitty. + +"Kitty my dear, allow your teacher to speak." + +"She gave her word of honor, or equivalent to it, that she would submit +to the punishment which you rightly inflicted upon her. Well, I found +her just now in the act of smuggling a note into Elma Lewis' hand." + +"Oh, but this is very bad, Kitty," said Miss Sherrard. "Did you not know +what your word of honor meant?" + +"I never promised anything," replied Kitty. "You spoke; but I was +silent." + +"Pardon me, my dear; that is begging the question. You were told that +you were not to communicate with any of your fellow-pupils. Your silence +signified consent. Kitty, I am ashamed of you." + +"As you know so much you may as well know all," said Kitty, desperation +in her tone. "I did far worse than you think. Last night I went out +again after dark by myself to see Elma Lewis. I had an interview with +her. I talked to her, and she talked to me. That was not exactly her +fault; for I forced her to speak. Now, you know how very bad I am. Expel +me if you wish. I know you will after this. I am in dreadful disgrace. I +only wish I were dead." + +"Leave us, Miss Worrick," said Miss Sherrard. + +The door was closed behind the governess; and the head-mistress, taking +one of Kitty's cold hands, led her to a seat near herself on the sofa. + +"There is more behind," she said. "Kitty, you must tell me the truth." + +"I long to tell you," answered Kitty. "A short time back I had made up +my mind to conceal it because the telling would make another girl +miserable--miserable for life. Now my feelings are changed." + +"I am glad that you are at last willing to confide in me," said Miss +Sherrard in a kinder tone. "Tell me everything, Kitty, and as quickly as +you can." + +Thus counseled, Kitty's reserve absolutely gave way. The whole miserable +story was quickly revealed: Elma Lewis' request for money; Kitty's +generous response; Laurie's passionate and anguished letter; Kitty's +desire to help him; her reasons, which had almost driven her mad, for +seeking Elma; her desperate resolve at last to go to her late at night; +then Elma's passionate beseeching of her to keep the secret; Kitty's +promise that she would do so until after morning school that day; then +her further resolve, when she saw the look of misery on Elma's face, to +keep it altogether even at the cost of breaking Laurie's heart; then +Elma's conduct when the note was discovered. + +"I scorn her now," said Kitty. "I don't regard any promise I ever made +to her. I am glad to tell. She is false, cowardly, and I scorn her. Miss +Sherrard, you know everything; expel me if you must." + +"Yes, I know everything," replied Miss Sherrard. She sat still for a few +moments, lost in anxious thought. She blamed Kitty still, but she also +deeply pitied her. Her feelings toward Elma were so strong that she +could scarcely trust herself to speak of them at the present moment. + +"My honor is gone, and my heart is broken," continued Kitty. "Of course +you will expel me after this; and, indeed, I want to go home. Please, +Miss Sherrard, let me go home; I cannot stay any longer at school." + +"My dear Kitty," said Miss Sherrard, "I am very sorry for you. I am +certainly glad at last to know the truth. You, poor child, have been +more sinned against than sinning. I cannot tell you what I think about +Elma. Such a girl does more mischief in a school than twenty like you. +Stay, my dear; stop crying. Kitty, Kitty, what is it?" + +"I feel nearly mad--Laurie is in such trouble. May I not at least answer +his telegram?" + +"Yes, here is a telegraph form. Fill in what you like; I will send it at +once to the post office." + +"Miss Sherrard, would it be possible for you to lend me the money?" + +Miss Sherrard shook her head. + +"I could not do it, Kitty; nor would it be right. Your brother has done +distinctly wrong; and if you telegraph to him now I hope you will +counsel him to go straight to your father and confess everything. There +is never the least use in concealment where wrong-doing is concerned, my +dear." + +But Kitty's eyes had now blazed again with renewed passion. + +"You are not a Malone nor an Irishwoman," she cried. "You do not know +Ireland, or you would not speak in that tone. I counsel Laurie to tell +father what he did to poor Paddy Wheel-about! I counsel him to say that +he took the old man's coat--stole it from him! Miss Sherrard, you don't +know father. Laurie did it, it is true, in a fit of bravado; but father +would never understand. He would be furious, wild; Le would punish him +severely. Oh, I must get that money somehow, in some fashion!" + +"Kitty, you are speaking disrespectfully," said Miss Sherrard, "and I +cannot allow it. I am sorry for you, my dear; you are dreadfully +overcome at present. Go home now; I will see you again in the +afternoon." + +Poor Kitty left the room without even bidding her teacher good-by. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +AN EYE-OPENER. + + +In her own room the miserable child fell on her knees, and gave way to a +burst of passionate weeping. She cried as she had never cried in the +whole course of her life before; her tears seemed as though they could +not cease. She was so exhausted at last that, kneeling by her little +bed, she fell into a sound sleep. In her sleep she dreamed that she was +home again; but all was confusion, worry, distress. Laurie was going to +a school in England; Laurie's heart was broken. Old Paddy Wheel-about +was dead; the squire was so upset and so angry that he would not even +allow Kitty herself to comfort him. Aunt Honora was grumbling and going +from room to room in the old Castle. Aunt Bridget was talking about +dress, and scolding Kitty with regard to the state of her wardrobe. +Kitty's head ached, and she felt a sense of irritation. + +"And it's so pretty," said Aunt Honora. "Those ruffles round the skirt +are done in such a dainty manner, and--oh, I won't disturb you if you'll +allow me just to take the pattern. I can in a moment--don't move, don't +move!" + +Kitty opened her eyes in some bewilderment, and gazed full into the fat +and somewhat red face of Carrie Lewis. It was Carrie's voice she had +heard, piercing through her dreams. It was Carrie who was bending by +her side and holding up a length of her skirt in her hand. + +"Oh, don't move, pray; I have just got the set of it; it's very curious +and very fashionable. I know Sam would like it awfully." + +"Who are you, and what do you want?" said Kitty, jumping to her feet and +confronting her unwelcome visitor with flushed cheeks and sparkling +eyes. + +"I knocked at your door several times, and you didn't answer," said +Carrie; "so then I opened it softly and came in, and you were +half-sitting, half-kneeling by your bed, sound asleep; and your skirt +did look so very fashionable that I was tempted!--oh yes, I have taken +the pattern in my mind's eye. I'll alter my blue nun's-veiling. I can +easily get a bit more of the stuff to match, and it will make it quite +_comme il fait_," + +"But who are you?" said Kitty, who had never laid eyes on Carrie before. + +"I'm Elma's sister. Now you know." + +"Elma's sister?" said Kitty. "But what have you come to my room for? +What do you want here?" + +"To speak to you. I want to help you if you'll let me." + +"To help me?" said Kitty languidly. "I would much rather you went away. +You cannot help me; you know nothing whatever about me. I am in great +great trouble, and I would much rather be alone." + +"You would not rather be alone if you could be helped," said Carrie. "I +know all about it. You have got a brother in Ireland who has got into a +scrape. Bless you, I know all about the scrapes of young men. Now, poor +Sam Raynes, he----. Yes, what is it, Miss Malone?" + +"I wish you would leave me," said Kitty in a haughty tone. "I am not +friends with Elma just now, and I would rather not see any of her +family." + +"Yes, but I think you'll see me when I tell you my errand," said Carrie, +in no way abashed by Kitty's manner. She crossed the room as she spoke, +and deliberately placing herself in the one easy-chair the room +possessed, crossed her legs, and leaning back, looked fixedly at Kitty. + +"Very well, if you won't go, then I must," said Kitty. "I don't +understand English people. They talk a great deal about manners; but no +Irishwoman, none that I ever heard of, would dream----" + +"Oh, bosh! Stop all that," said Carrie in her rudest voice. "I have come +here to help you, and I see that I must explain myself. You want some +money, don't you?" + +"Yes; but I cannot get it," answered Kitty. + +"Oh, my dear, do just stay still a moment. What a sweet little shoe! +Did you get it at any shop here?" + +"No," answered Kitty, interested for the moment in spite of herself. +"Aunt Honora bought these in Grafton Street, Dublin. They have the +nicest shoes in that special shop of any place I know. Do you like it?" + +"Oh, it is quite sweet; it is the way the heel is arranged, and that +little buckle." + +"Well, never mind about my shoes now," said Kitty, pushing the +attractive little foot well in under her skirt. "What is it you have +come to say? Please say it, and then--go." + +"I will, if you wish me to. Look here, I know all about your story. You +are in dreadful trouble, and so is Elma; but I do declare I think poor +Elma's trouble much worse than yours." + +"You know nothing about it," cried Kitty, with passion. "Elma in worse +trouble! Oh, if you only could guess!" + +"I guess well enough," said Carrie, "and so does Elma. You want money, +which, evidently, as a rule, is as plentiful to you as blackberries on +the hedges in September; and you think, because you cannot lay your hand +on that money immediately, the whole world is going to change. But let +me tell you that Elma and I want money far, far more badly than you have +any idea of. Until you gave Elma that eight pounds, we neither of us +ever in our lives had so much in our possession." + +"I didn't give it--you make a mistake--I lent it." + +"Oh, it is all the same. Elma had it, and, for practical purposes, it +was just as valuable as if it were really her own." + +"Well, I want her to give it back to me now. I surely have a right to +ask for my own money back again?" + +"No, you have not--not without reasonable notice. She asked you to lend +her some money--she never asked for eight pounds--you let her take it. +You said she might have as much as she liked. When she explained the +position of things to me, I said: 'Elma, you were a rare fool not to +take the whole fifteen.'" + +"You must be a very queer girl," said Kitty, astonished at this +remarkable specimen of young ladyhood. + +"Am I? I don't know. I am frank, and I am generally hard-up. I know, if +any one does, where the shoe pinches. Bless you! it would do you good to +open your eyes. You don't know what poverty means--a little house, a +disgusting little house, shabby paper, dirty ceilings, badly-carpeted +floors, the drains wrong, the water-supply as likely to poison us as +not, an invalid mother--" + +"Oh, have you a mother? Then, I am sure you are not to be pitied," +interrupted Kitty. + +"Little you know! What good is a mother who is in bed most of the day, a +father who--Well, I need not mention him; he is not in the country at +any rate. No education to speak of; no dress worth considering; toil, +toil from morning till night; and life a mere scramble, a scramble for +bread without butter. That's what our life is!" + +Kitty had ceased to fidget; she even sank down on the corner of the +nearest chair. Her pretty figure, her beautifully-appointed dress, her +whole appearance, from the crown of her head to the sole of her foot, +betokened what the other girl could never aspire to, never hope to +have--abundance of money. And yet at the present moment Kitty was +breaking her heart for want of money. No wonder Carrie was puzzled. +Kitty's own eyes were opened to an extent they had never been opened +before. + +"Yes, our life is a rough one," continued Carrie; "very rough indeed; +but I don't grumble. I was brought up to it, and use is half the +battle, as perhaps you don't know, but you ought. You'll get accustomed +to doing without your eight pounds after a bit, and never give it +another thought." + +"Oh, no, that I won't," said Kitty, now jumping to her feet in her +indignation; "and it is not for myself, it is for----" + +"Oh, never mind who it is for. You want it, and you think the world is +going to stand still because you cannot get it. Well, the world won't +stand still. I, who am quite used to doing without money, can assure you +as to the truth of that fact. Would you like to know, now, how I spend +my days? I teach some horrid children in a small private school from ten +to one each morning, and then in the afternoon I go to a family and +teach some more little brats; and I am scarcely paid anything for all +this toil--starvation wages I call it--and I hate it, hate it. But I +have my consolations. I am not overparticular; very small pleasures +content me; and there's a fellow whom I love." + +"A fellow whom you love?" echoed Kitty; "is it a brother?" + +"Bless you, I'm not likely to put myself out about a brother; not that I +have one, and so much the better, thank goodness. There's a man whom I +love, and a right jolly fellow he is--his name is Sam Raynes. He is not +one of your fine, bread-and-butter gentlemen--not he. He is rough and +ready, and he has his joke, and he isn't too handsome, although some +people admire red hair; but, anyhow, I'm fond of him and he's fond of +me, and some day--I don't know when--when we can scrape enough +together, we are going to set up housekeeping." + +"You are going to marry; is that it?" said Kitty. + +"Yes; some day we'll marry. Now, you see, that's a bit of fun for me; +and I can go out with Sam on bank holidays and on Sunday afternoons just +like any other girl with her young man. Bless you, I don't mind." + +"I wonder what all this is leading up to," said Kitty, with a slight +yawn. "Of course, it is very interesting to you; but I don't care about +your young man." + +"No more you do, you haughty little minx; and I wouldn't bother you +about him, for, with all his faults, he's too good to have words wasted +about him to a little independent chit of a thing like you. But, as I +was saying, I'm not talking for nothing, I'm leading up to something. +Now, I am content enough with our lot; but Elma isn't. Elma is quite +different from me--she has got a great deal of refinement about her." + +"Has she indeed?" said Kitty in a voice of scorn. + +"Yes, she has, and you needn't contradict me. She's a very clever girl, +is Elma. I don't say that she's always as straight as a die--I don't +pretend that she is; but she is a clever girl, and she is fond of her +books, and she's likely to get on--that is, if you don't spike her +guns." + +"What do you mean?" + +"Oh, well, it's only an expression of mine. I heard Sam use it last +week. I often copy his phrases, they're so fine and full of flourish. +Well, now, if you don't spoil sport, Elma will get into an altogether +different circle from your humble servant. Mother and I will go one way, +and Elma another. Elma, with her grand notions and her set-you-up sort +of airs, will rise in life. She's heartily welcome to go her own way, +and I wish her Godspeed, for she is the only sister I have got." + +"I don't understand," interrupted Kitty. + +"If you'll let me speak I'll soon explain. You don't suppose that girls +such as I am are often to be seen at Middleton School?" + +"Well, I have not seen any like you," said Kitty, gazing from head to +foot at her very peculiar visitor. + +"No more you have, bless you; and I'm not the least offended by your +very frank stare. Sam admires me, and that's enough for me. Now, Elma +looks a lady, doesn't she?" + +"I suppose so," said Kitty in a dubious tone. + +"You suppose so indeed! Let me tell you that Elma is a born little lady, +a real lady, and she looks it, every inch of her. That is why she goes +to Middleton School; but now, who do you think pay for her?" + +"How can I tell?" + +"Do you think mother, or father, or I? Now, who do you think does? I +should be interested to know your thoughts." + +"I cannot really tell you, Miss Lewis." + +"Oh, it does sound fine to hear you Miss Lewising me. My name is +Carrie." + +"I prefer to call you Miss Lewis." + +"Highty! tighty! we are haughty. Well, the person who pays for Elma is +our Aunt Charlotte--a certain Mrs. Steward, wife of the Reverend John +Steward, rector of St. Bartholomew's, Buckinghamshire. There's a grand +enough name for you; and I suppose, being a clergyman, you'll consider +that he is a gentleman and that his wife is a lady. Aunt Charlotte +happens to be own sister to mother; and when Elma made her little +complaint to her she took pity on her; and now she pays all her expenses +at Middleton School. And if Elma does well and nothing disagreeable +comes to Aunt Charlotte's ears, she will send her presently to Newnham +or Girton. Think of that I Elma will be a college girl; she will be an +undergraduate of one of the universities--and some day a graduate; and +then she will get a first-class post as high-school mistress, or +mistress of something or other. But if you tell on her and make things +bad, and the truth gets out--You look pale; are you ill?" + +"I am all right," said Kitty. She staggered across the room and poured +some water into a glass. + +"I did not eat much lunch," she continued; "and I am--Never mind; go +on." + +"Well," continued Carrie, "if nothing comes to Aunt Charlotte's ears to +turn her mind the other way, Elma will be all right; she will move in +your sphere--yes, she will, whether you like it or not. She is just so +clever she is able to do anything. So I have come to say that I hope to +goodness you won't split on her, for it would be mighty cruel of you. +You would ruin her for life, and that would be a nice consolation for +you when you came to die. She did not steal your money, remember; you +gave it to her." + +"I lent it to her." + +"Oh, how you will harp upon that! But you didn't tell her to a day when +she was to pay it back again." + +"No, I certainly did not; but, of course, I expected that she would +return it to me when I asked for it; and then she spent it on dress." + +"Spent it on dress? What do you mean?" + +"She told me so." + +"Oh, naughty, naughty little Elma!" said Carrie, shaking her forefinger +in a very knowing manner "She didn't like to tell about Sam, and so she +made up that story, did she? Well, it was an untruth. She didn't spend +that money on dress; she--well, I will tell you--I stole it from her." + +"You!" gasped Kitty, backing away in horror. + +"Yes. Good gracious! how scared you are! You don't understand the larks +of girls like me. I didn't mean any harm. I took it and gave it to Sam +to keep for her." + +"Then," said Kitty, coming close up to Carrie, her lips parted, the +color flooding her cheeks, her eyes full of light, "then, of course, +you, Carrie----" + +"Oh, I'm Carrie now, am I?" + +"Yes, you are; but never mind. Then, you, Carrie, can get it back for +me?" + +"So I will, all in good time, my pretty little dear. You shall have the +money if you are willing to wait, say a month." + +"There's no use at all in that," said Kitty, her voice sounding faint +and far away. + +"I am afraid there must be, as far as that eight pounds is concerned. +The fact is, Sam is speculating with the money, and when we get it back +it will be doubled. Elma and I will divide the profits between us, and +you shall have your eight pounds back. Now, I think I have told you +everything except--" + +"And, having told me, I wish you would go away," said Kitty. "I don't +know that you have bettered matters in any way. Of course I am sorry for +Elma; but it is only right that you should know something. It would be +well also for Elma to know the truth. I told her yesterday when I went +to your house that I would keep her secret until after morning school." + +"Good gracious! You have not blurted out the truth?" + +"Wait till you hear. When I was at school this morning I was--oh so +miserable! I could not help thinking of--But never mind; you would not +understand." + +"No, no, of course not; pray proceed." + +"I was thinking how soon I might tell." + +"Nice sort of creature you are!" + +"Why will you interrupt me?" said Kitty. "But then I looked at Elma, and +I saw that she seemed very anxious and miserable; and wretched as I was, +I made up my mind to be kind to her. I said to myself I will keep her +secret; and--and I wrote her a note to tell her so. You would not +understand if I said any more; but--but immediately after morning school +she--she was false to me; utterly false. You ask her when you see her +how she received that letter I wrote to her at the risk of getting into +terrible trouble myself. I have been angry, furious, beside myself; and +now Miss Sherrard knows everything." + +"You don't mean it?" said Carrie. Her florid face had turned perfectly +white. She bit her lip and looked out of the window. After a time she +looked back again at Kitty, and said slowly: + +"You are very cruel, and you have ruined Elma; but after all it is +partly my fault. I ought not to have taken that money. Now, look here, +shall I tell you what I really came for to-day?" + +"If you would do so quickly and then go." + +"You won't be in such a hurry to part from me when you know the truth. +Now, then, listen. You want some money; I think I see a way to getting +it for you." + +"Do you really?" + +"Yes, I do; that is, if you on your part will do what I want." + +"I will do anything to get the money. I want to send it to Laurie if I +can this evening. There's nothing I would not give you." + +"I will remember that small promise presently," said Carrie in a frank +voice. "But now let me tell you what my plan is. You have a great many +clothes, have you not?" + +"Yes; but please don't bother me about them now. I was always fond of +pretty dress; but I should not care if I had to wear rags at the present +moment if only I might get that eight pounds." + +"If them's your sentiments," said Carrie, "you very soon can have your +wish." + +"What in the world do you mean?" + +"Why, this. If you'll just allow me to take the pick of your wardrobe I +can take away the things and sell them. I'll soon bring back the eight +pounds--yes, and for that matter ten too." + +"Sell my clothes?" said Kitty. She stared at the other girl as if she +did not believe the evidence of her own senses. + +"Yes. Did you never hear of a pawnshop, you dear little wiseacre?" + +"A pawnshop! Do you think I would allow my clothes to go to a pawnshop?" + +"I know nothing whatever about it; but I make you the proposal. I will +transact the business for you if you'll allow me ten per cent, upon it. +I can get you the money." + +"Oh, Carrie, it seems such a bitter shame," said Kitty. Her face was +crimson; she went to the other side of the room, opened the window and +put out her head. She wanted the cool air to soothe her scorched cheeks; +her heart was thumping in her breast. Had matters indeed come to this, +that she, Kitty Malone, was to pawn her pretty dresses, her trinkets, +her whatnots! Alas! she could not do it. + +"I have often had to do it," said Carrie. "I know just how to manage. If +you'll allow me to select the most suitable of your things, I'll bring +you back the money in no time." + +"You are sure?" said Kitty, beginning to yield. + +"Certain--sure--positive. But you must allow me ten per cent." + +"I know nothing about percentage; but you may take every scrap that is +over after you have got me the eight pounds." + +"Very well, that's a liberal offer," said Carrie. "Now, then, I may as +well take a look at your clothes." + +"Oh, it seems such an awful thing to do," said Kitty. "Are you sure, +quite sure, that no one will find it out?" + +"Not a bit of it; that is, if you'll be quick and not allow that other +girl--Alice, you call her--to come into the room." + +"I'll lock the door," said Kitty. She rushed across the room with new +hope, turned the key, and came back again to Carrie. + +"I never heard of anything quite so extraordinary in my life," she said. +"And you--you call yourself a lady?" + +"No, I don't; I call myself a good-natured lump of a girl." + +"Well, perhaps you are; but to pawn one's things! Do you mean that I +will never see them again?" + +"Oh, yes; whenever you like to return the money. They'll be kept safe +enough for you. If you don't return the money, of course, they belong to +the pawnbroker; but you have lots of time to think of that. Look here, +I'll pawn them for a month; that will give you heaps of time to look +round." + +"So it will," said Kitty. "And are you quite, quite certain that I shall +have the money to-night?" + +"Oh, yes, if you won't talk so much, only act. Now, then, open your +wardrobe." + +Kitty unlocked the door of the mahogany wardrobe which she shared with +Alice, and Carrie began to pull her choice little garments about. + +Kitty went and stood by the window. + +"Don't you want to know what I am taking?" said Carrie. "Don't you want +to make a selection?" + +"No; I'll leave it all to you. I can't bear to see them. Take--take what +you want." + +"Goodness, what a girl!" thought Carrie to herself. "Here's an +opportunity for me." + +She made a hasty and very wise selection, choosing the richest dresses, +the most stylish jackets, skirts, shoes, ribbons, gloves--clipping the +feathers out of the hats and the flowers from the toques--throwing in +some of the finest cambric handkerchiefs; and then, taking a sheet of +brown paper which she had put into a basket on her arm when she left +home, she folded the things into it and fastened her parcel with stout +string. + +"Here I am," she said; "and this is my parcel. I have looked through +your wardrobe; your clothes are neat, fine, some of them gaudy, but all +good. I can get from three to four pounds for this lot." + +"But why don't you take enough to get the eight pounds?" said Kitty, who +had quite made up her mind by this time. + +"I could not carry any more. Now, then, open your jewel-case, quick." + +"My jewel-case. Oh! I cannot part with my jewels." + +"You must, if you want your eight pounds by to-night. I know my +pawnbroker. He won't give five pounds for this little parcel. Now then, +be quick. Oh, there I see Alice Denvers coming up the road with that +other fine young lady, Bessie Challoner. Where's your jewel-case?" + +Kitty's face was like a sheet. + +"I have not any jewels," she said; "or scarcely any worth mentioning. I +didn't bring any jewels with me. But here's my watch; will that do?" + +"Do--rather! Why, it's a beauty. Don't say a word to the others; keep +your own counsel. Now, then, I'll be off to the pawnshop, and you shall +have the money to-night. _Au revoir! an revoir!_" + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +THE LADY FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. + + +Mrs. Steward was a great contrast to Mrs. Lewis. Mrs. Steward was a +tall, thin, rather refined-looking woman. Mrs. Lewis was fat and dumpy, +decidedly untidy in appearance, with a melancholy air and a habit of +constantly indulging in low weeping. Mrs. Steward looked as if she had +never wept in her life; she sat upright as a dart, her movements were +quick, her manners independent; she had a vivacious eye, a somewhat +short nose, thin lips, and a very decided manner. + +Mrs. Steward and Mrs. Lewis had a long conversation in the untidy, ugly +little parlor, while they waited for Elma to return from school. Maggie +had been going in and out, glancing with some apprehension at the lady, +and then whisking back to her kitchen to sigh profoundly and mourn for +the violets which were no longer in her possession. + +"I should like something to eat," said Mrs. Steward to her sister. "I +thought I would come to you for lunch, Caroline. Have you got anything +in the house--a lamb chop or even cold lamb and salad will do quite +nicely." + +"My dear Charlotte," said Mrs. Lewis, laying her fat, tremulous hand +upon her sister's firm but thin arm, "do you think it likely that we +often have lamb chops or even cold lamb and salad for lunch? It is true +that since the Australian meat came in we can now and then indulge in a +very small joint of lamb for Sundays, but certainly on no other day. Ah, +Charlotte, you little know the poverty to which your poor sister is +subjected." + +"I know all about it," said Mrs. Stewart, shaking herself angrily, "and +my plain answer to you is this--as you sow you must reap. What else did +you expect when you married that fool of a man, James Lewis?" + +Mrs. Lewis made a great endeavor to rise from the sofa, she made a +further effort to look dignified; but all she could really accomplish +was to burst into a fresh wail of low weeping and to murmur under her +breath, "Charlotte, you are cruel to me, you are cruel." + +"I don't mean to be, my dear; but really, Caroline, you do annoy me. +Have you no spunk at all in your composition? Are you still fretting +your heart out for that good-for-nothing man?" + +"Well, you see, I love him," said the poor wife. "The parting from my +dear husband was a terrible trial. I think of him at all hours both day +and night. I often have an uncontrollable desire to join him in +Australia." + +"Pray yield to it," said Mrs. Steward in the calmest of voices, "and +when you go, take that great lout of a Caroline with you. She is as like +you in appearance as one pea is like another. I am ashamed of you. Now, +let us turn to a more congenial topic. Little Elma, I am glad to say, +is made of very different stuff." + +"Oh, Elma is a good girl," said Mrs. Lewis. At that moment Maggie came +into the room. + +"Have you ordered your servant to prepare any lunch for me?" said Mrs. +Steward. + +"Well, really--" Mrs. Lewis looked imploringly and with a vacant eye at +Maggie. + +"There's the remains of the salt beef, mum," said that small worthy, +dropping a bob of a courtesy as she spoke. + +"I couldn't touch it," said Mrs. Steward with a shudder. "Have you got a +fresh egg in the house?" + +"Oh, my dear, nothing of the kind--a fresh egg! Fresh eggs are worth +their weight in gold. We have a stale egg, if you don't mind that." + +Mrs. Steward indulged in another shudder even more violent than the +last. + +"My good girl," she said then, "pray get me a cup of tea and some thin +toast, and be quick about it. See that the tea is really strong and the +cream fresh." + +"Cream!" murmured Mrs. Lewis; but Maggie had withdrawn. + +"Well, now, that is comfortably settled," said Mrs. Steward, "and I can +tell you what really brought me to town--I have come about Elma." + +"Indeed, and what about her?" + +"I mean to take her from you." + +"To take Elma away from me, my own dear child?" + +"Oh, now, come, Caroline, don't sicken me with your false sentiment. It +is a precious good thing for Elma that she has got an aunt ready and +willing to help her. I have just arranged to send her to a first-class +German school. Her English, I should say, was fair, and she will be +taken as pupil-teacher; she will thus have the advantage of learning +German. I heard of this through a great friend of mine, Fraeulein Van +Brunt. She is going to Germany herself next week, and will take Elma, if +you can spare her." + +"If I can spare her? But it will break my heart--such a sensible girl +as she is," said poor Mrs. Lewis. + +"Come, come, Carrie, no more nonsense; when I explain all the advantages +you will see for yourself how all-important it is that Elma should go. +The school is in the Harz Mountains, a splendid place; magnificent air, +and all the rest. If Elma stays there for two years, I will then have +her home, and send her to Girton as I promised. I will further arrange +that she spends her holidays with me, as I think really--" here Mrs. +Steward glanced round the shabby room--"I think that the less she +remains with her own family for the present the better." + +"I see what you mean. I am beneath my own child." + +"Beneath her. Well, it is a painful thing to say; but, as you put it so +frankly, I must reply in the affirmative," replied Mrs. Steward. "Ah, +who is this now?" + +The door was flung open, and Carrie, very red about the face, and with +her parcel under her arm, entered the room. Her intention was to ask her +mother to accompany her to the pawnshop. It had not been the first nor +the second nor the third time that the unfortunate lady had been obliged +to pawn her things. Carrie thought that her parent could make a better +bargain than she could herself, and she hoped that she would have been +in time to transact this little business before the arrival of her aunt. +She now gave a start of dismay, and, dropping the parcel, sank down on +the nearest chair. As she did so Kitty's watch and chain tumbled out of +the front of her dress, where she had very insecurely fastened them. The +watch was a lovely one, with an enameled back studded with pearls, and +the chain was made of eighteen-carat gold. Owing to a warning glance +from Carrie, Mrs. Lewis refrained from saying a word; but Mrs. Steward +had no idea of keeping her emotions to herself. + +"You, I presume, are Carrie," she said, looking at her niece. "Come +here, Carrie, and speak to your aunt." + +Carrie advanced as if she were treading on buttered eggs. She held out +one dimpled hand gingerly. + +"How do you do, my dear? Allow me to congratulate you on the acquisition +of that very lovely little watch and that splendid chain. Now, I am +devoured with curiosity to know who has given them to you. Surely not +your mother? Surely, Caroline, with all your faults, you have not----" + +"Oh, dear me, no," said Mrs. Lewis. + +Carrie indulged in a loud laugh. + +"Bless us, aunt," she cried, "do you suppose mother can afford to give +me these? No, I--" She grew red and turned away. + +Mrs. Lewis fidgeted on her seat, and appeared thoroughly uncomfortable. + +"I do not wish to pry into your secrets, Caroline," said Mrs. Steward, +favoring the untidy and vulgar-looking girl with a glance full of +reprehension. "You are at liberty to wear handsome watches and chains +made of the best gold if your mother cares to see you with things so +unsuitable to your class and appearance. Your doings in life are no +affair of mine. But now, as you happen to be my niece, will you have the +kindness to go immediately into the kitchen and tell Maggie, or whatever +the name of your servant is, to hurry with that tea and toast." + +Carrie was only too glad to dart from the room. She picked up her +parcel, and resorted to the kitchen. + +"Oh, Miss Carrie, I do wish you would help me," said Maggie, who was +flying distractedly about. "There's the kitchen fire all but out, and +the lady ordered toast as crisp as you please. I don't believe we can do +it for her. Wouldn't she be content with thin bread and butter curled in +rolls?" + +"Oh, of course she would, and must," said Carrie. "She is in no end of a +temper, and for my part I don't wish to humor her. Yes, of course, +Maggie. I'll cut the bread and butter and make it into rolls, and you +see to the tea." + +"Thank you, miss, I'm sure I'm much obliged, and perhaps, miss, you +wouldn't mind taking it into the dining-room, for her eyes do fasten on +to you that fierce that I get all of a tremble, and as likely as not +I'll drop the tray." + +Carrie laughed, and being at heart good-natured in her own way, helped +Maggie with some vigor to prepare the tea. + +At last a meal, which could not be remarked for its abundance, was +forthcoming, and was brought into the dining-room. + +"I ordered toast," said Mrs. Steward in an angry voice. + +"I am sorry, Aunt Charlotte," said Carrie; "but the fire happened to be +out in the kitchen. You see," she added, somewhat spitefully, "we are +obliged to economize with coals, and we don't keep a fire up in the +middle of the day." + +"Well, I am really so famished that I am content with anything," said +the good lady. "Pour me out a cup of tea at once, my dear, and just put +the bread and butter where I can reach it." + +Carrie did so, winking at her mother as she arranged the tray. The next +moment Mrs. Lewis went out into the passage. Carrie followed her, +closing the door behind their guest. + +"Mother, I want you to come with me to the Sign of the Three Balls." + +"What in the world for, Carrie?" + +"I have got to pawn some things, some beautiful things, and I am to get +ten per cent, on the commission. I shall turn over a nice little bit of +money, and you can have your favorite supper. You will come, won't you, +mother? And I'll give you half a crown into the bargain." + +"Oh, dear, dear," said Mrs. Lewis, "I wish she had not come! She never +helps me in any way. All she does is to scold me and make me more +depressed than I am already. And she blames me so for marrying your poor +father, Carrie; as if I could help that now. And what do you think she +is going to do? She says she is going to take Elma from us." + +"And a good thing, too," said Carrie. + +"Carrie, what an unnatural girl you are! Do you mean to say you would be +glad to part from your sister?" + +"I would, because I am fond of her, and she has got into the most awful +scrape at school. Don't you put any spoke in her wheel, mother, for +goodness' sake!" + +At that moment the latchkey was heard in the lock, and Elma herself +appeared on the scene. + +"Oh, good gracious! Elma," cried Carrie, darting up to her sister, and +beginning to whisper vigorously into her ear. + +"What?" said Elma, with a start of dismay. "So soon?" + +"Yes, yes; she's been here for nearly an hour. She is devouring rolled +bread and butter and tea in the dining-room at present. She asked for +toast----" + +"Yes," interrupted Mrs. Lewis, who now came up and began also to +whisper; "yes, and fresh eggs, and cream, and lamb chops, and cold lamb +and salad. I never heard of anything so unreasonable. My poor head is in +an awful whirl. But she has come about you, Elma. She wants to take you +away with her." + +"She wants to take me away with her?" exclaimed Elma, starting, and her +pale face flushing. + +"And you had better go, Elma, and be quick about it," said Carrie, +giving her a warning glance. + +"I don't know what all this means," said Elma, her heart beating +uncomfortably fast; "but I had better go in and see Aunt Charlotte." + +"Yes, my love, yes; and while you are talking to her I--What do you +say, Carrie--you and I might go out upon that little matter of business, +might we not?" + +"To be sure, mother; an excellent thought. If you stay here I'll run +upstairs and fetch your bonnet, veil, and mantle in a twinkling. Go in +to Aunt Charlotte, Elma; do, for goodness sake, make yourself of use. +More depends on it than you think. If she hears us whispering and +mattering in the hall she'll be out upon us." + +Elma instinctively put up her two hands to smooth back her hair, she +straightened her already perfectly neat little jacket, and, drawing +herself up to her full _petite_ height, entered the little dining-room. + +Elma was a perfect contrast to her untidy mother and her frowzy sister. +However poorly dressed, she was always the pink of neatness. She was +full of agitation now and nervous fear, but not a trace of these +emotions could be visible in her manner and appearance. She went up to +her Aunt Charlotte, who for her part held out both her arms and, drawing +the girl down, printed a kiss upon her cheek. + +"I am really glad to see you, Elma," exclaimed Mrs. Steward. "Sit near +me, my dear; it is a pity you were not in when I arrived. It was the +least you might have done for your aunt, Elma. You had my letter this +morning. Oh, my poor child, I have gone through a dreadful hour! These +vulgar relations of yours grow worse and worse." + +"My mother and sister?" murmured Elma. + +"Yes; it is a terrible affliction for you. But, my dear, I am going to +relieve you from the strain. I, your aunt, am coming to the rescue. +There, Elma, pour me out another cup of tea, and I will tell you +everything." + +Elma raised the teapot, she filled her aunt's cup with fresh tea, added +a little milk, and brought it to her side. + +"Thank you, my dear. Now, Elma, you may consider yourself a made girl." + +"Made?" echoed Elma, turning her white face to Mrs. Steward. + +"Yes, made. What would you say to going abroad?" + +Elma's eyes brightened. + +"Do you mean on the Continent?" + +"Yes, I do, my dear child. To no less a place than the Harz Mountains. I +have heard of a most charming school, fifty times better than Middleton +School; and you are to go there, my dear Elma, at my expense. You will +go as pupil-teacher, and you thus acquire perfect German. Think what +that will mean for you! I propose to leave you in Germany for two years, +and at the end of that time you will return and go to Girton, I being +responsible for all your expenses. My dear, your fortune is made. I have +further arranged with your poor unfortunate mother that you spend the +holidays with me, as it is not to be expected that you can associate any +longer with such a person, nor with that frowzy young woman who calls +herself your sister." + +Elma did not speak. This news which would have delighted her at another +and less harassing moment, was now fraught with perplexity and alarm. At +the same time she thought she saw in it a possible means of escape. +Suppose Aunt Charlotte took her away at once, before Kitty had time to +tell what she knew, before Middleton School had time to ring with the +news of her dishonor. Oh, if so, she might indeed be saved! + +"Am I to go immediately?" she asked, choking down a strangled sob in her +throat, "or am I to stay at Middleton School till the end of the term?" + +"Well, dear, that is the awkward part, for of course you are working +very hard for a prize, are you not?" + +"I am working for a small scholarship," answered Elma. "If I succeed in +my examination I shall obtain a scholarship in English Literature worth +ten pounds a year for three years. That would be a very large sum to me, +Aunt Charlotte." + +"A large sum to you! I should think it would be a large sum to anybody," +said Mrs. Steward in a severe tone. "Ten pounds is quite a fortune for +any young girl. Pray don't begin to speak of money in that disparaging +sort of way, Elma; it ill suits your circumstances, my love. But now, +dear, I am sorry to disappoint you--I have heard of an admirable escort; +a certain Fraeulein Van Brunt is going to the Harz Mountains next Monday; +it will therefore be necessary for me to take you back to +Buckinghamshire to-night, Elma." + +"Oh, Aunt Charlotte, I am glad!" burst from Elma's lips. + +"Glad to leave your mother and sister?" said Mrs, Steward, looking +severely at the young girl. "After all, they are the last people you +ought to associate with; but still natural ties, my dear Elma." + +"Oh, I am sorry to leave them, I am sorry to go; I am both glad and +sorry," gasped poor Elma. "I have been worried, and am glad to get out +of everything." + +"Worried! I suppose with that dreadful sister and your poor, muddled +mother. Her unfortunate habit of weeping has reduced the little brain +she possessed to a state of pap. Of course I know she is not well off; +but all she absolutely could offer me in this house was a stale egg, and +not even toast. Oh, I scorn to complain, but--I know this is not your +wish, Elma. Your ideas were always very different, my dear child." + +Elma did not say anything; she was fidgeting with her hand, making a +slight noise with the teaspoon which she was tapping against a saucer. +The noise was irritating to Mrs. Steward's easily-affected nerves. + +"That calm of manner which I trust you will acquire after you have had +the advantages which I am giving you will soon show you how very +unpleasant those little tattoos and small noises are, Elma," remarked +the good lady, taking the teaspoon severely out of her niece's hand. +"Yes, my dear, you are to come with me to-night; that is, of course--" + +"What do you mean by 'of course,' Aunt Charlotte?" + +"After I have seen your head-mistress, Miss Sherrard." + +"Do you want to see Miss Sherrard?" asked Elma, a note of alarm in her +voice. + +"Certainly; and I am going immediately to the school. You will not be +admitted into the admirable school in Germany without a testimonial from +your present teacher; and I am going to Miss Sherrard in order to +secure one. It will, of course be merely a matter of form my asking for +it, for your conduct has always been admirable--admirable in the +extreme. Miss Sherrard has written to me about you from time to time, +and always spoke of you with affection and admiration. She said your +abilities were good; your moral character without a flaw. I will just +step across to the school now, Elma; and, if you like, you can accompany +me." + +Elma hesitated. She did not yet know what had taken place; but when she +had last seen Kitty there was a flash in her eyes the reverse of +assuring. She could only hope against hope that nothing had yet taken +place; that Kitty had still kept her miserable secret. If Miss Sherrard +knew nothing she would of course give her an excellent character; and +she herself would leave Middleton School that afternoon and forever. +Then indeed she might snap her fingers at Kitty and her distress. She +would be saved just at the very moment when she thought her ruin most +imminent. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +STUNNED AND COLD. + + +"Come, Elma, what are you looking so thoughtful about?" asked Mrs. +Steward in an impatient voice. + +"Nothing, Aunt Charlotte," replied Elma, rising to her feet. "I am ready +to go," she added. She sighed as she spoke. + +"You must give up that unpleasant habit, my dear child. Nothing +irritates me more than hearing people sigh. It always seems as if they +were discontented and ungrateful to Providence. Now, what have you, for +instance, to sigh about? A singularly fortunate girl, a girl who +possesses an aunt who is willing to take a mother's duties upon her +shoulders. If it were that wretched, vulgar Carrie now, or even my poor +sister herself; but you, Elma, don't let me think that you are +ungrateful to me or I wash my hands of you on the spot." + +"Oh, I am nothing of the kind indeed, Aunt Charlotte," replied Elma. "I +always have felt that you--you were more than good to me." + +"Well, my dear that's as it should be. I honor your feelings. I often +say to myself and to your uncle-in-law--remember he is not your real +uncle, Elma, but your uncle-in-law, my dear husband, the rector of St. +Bartholomew's--'John,' I say, 'if Elma doesn't show gratitude for all I +am doing for her I shall once and for all give up the human race. I +shall never again expect right feeling from any one." But of course you +are grateful, Elma; you will be the comfort of my old age. You will be +as my own child to me. I--I sometimes think, my dear, that when your +education is finished and you are turned into a refined, +highly-cultivated, highly-trained woman, I will keep you with me. You +shall be my companion, my housekeeper, the one who is to read aloud to +me, to sit with me in the long evenings when my sight begins to fail. My +eyes do ache at times, my dear, I have thought of all that. You will be +my adopted child; not that I can leave you anything in my will, but I +would provide a home for you while I am left in this tabernacle of the +flesh. What do you say, Elma, eh?" + +"It is too soon to say anything at present," answered Elma, to whom this +prospect was the reverse of charming. To live as her aunt's unsalaried +companion could not be attractive to her; but she wisely concluded that +sufficient unto the day was the evil thereof, and she had yet to be +educated and brought to that calm of spirit and strain of intellect +which would satisfy Aunt Charlotte. + +"Come now at once," said the good lady, who suddenly from being in a +very cross temper became in the best of humor. "We have just nice time +to go across to the school, and then after we have seen Miss Sherrard to +return here for you to pack your things. What do you say, Elma, to our +both staying in London to-night? It would be a pleasant treat for you, +and there may be a few little things necessary to add to your wardrobe, +which I shall have much pleasure in providing you with. Elma, you are in +rare luck. When I think of all I am doing for you I feel that you have +indeed much to be thankful for." + +"Yes, Aunt Charlotte," echoed Elma, but her voice sounded faint, and she +brought out her words with an effort. + +Leaning on her niece's arm, Mrs. Steward now pursued her way to +Middleton School. Alas! her journey there quickly dissipated her lately +acquired good-humor. She had not gone one hundred yards before she +complained of the dust of the roads, she had not gone two before her +anger was great at the length of the way, and when she found that it was +necessary to mount uphill her complaints became loud grievances--in +short, by the time she really arrived at the school she was in as bad a +temper as Elma had ever seen her in. + +"What it is to have a great girl like you hanging on to one, dependent +on one!" she cried. "It was most inconsiderate of Caroline to marry as +she did, and she now even complains when I blame her for it. She is an +extraordinary person. If she had remained single she might have been +living comfortably with me at St. Bartholomew's rectory, and you and +Carrie would never have been in the world plaguing your relatives." + +"Well, you see we are in the world," said poor Elma, who felt that she +must just show the faintest spark of spirit. "We did not ask to be +born," she added, "so I don't see that we are to be blamed." + +Mrs. Steward favored her with a sharp glance. + +"Elma," she said, "if you indulge in pertness I shall wash my hands of +you. Now, here we are. Have the goodness to ring the bell." + +The great school door was opened presently by a neat-looking +maid-servant, and Mrs. Steward inquired in a tart voice if Miss Sherrard +was in." + +"She is, ma'am," replied the girl; "but she is particularly engaged at +this moment. Oh, is that you, Miss Lewis?" she continued. "Miss Sherrard +is just sending for you, miss; but I don't think the messenger has gone +yet. I'll run and stop him. Will you walk inside, ma'am!" + +"A messenger for me!" murmured Elma. She felt terribly uncomfortable; +her face grew whiter than ever. + +"Will you have the goodness to tell your mistress that I wish to speak +to her at once," said Mrs. Steward; "that I am in a hurry, and cannot be +kept waiting? Pray mention my name, Mrs. Steward, from St. Bartholomew's +Rectory, Buckinghamshire." + +The girl promised to do so, and withdrew. She soon returned to say that +Miss Sherrard would be pleased to see both Mrs. Steward and Miss Lewis +in her private room. + +"I wish to see Miss Sherrard alone," said Mrs. Steward. "Remain where +you are, Elma." Mrs. Steward sailed out of the room, and poor Elma sank +down on the nearest chair. + +"If Miss Sherrard has sent for me she must know something," thought the +wretched girl. "Oh! how am I to live through it? She will tell Aunt +Charlotte and then all my prospects are over." + +Meanwhile Mrs. Steward sailed down the passage with a dignity and +majesty of demeanor which impressed Miss Sherrard's neat handmaid +considerably. The next instant she was ushered into the school-mistress' +presence. + +Miss Sherrard looked troubled; she came forward to meet Mrs. Steward +very gravely, and, motioning with her hand to a chair, asked her to seat +herself. Mrs. Steward stared for a moment at the head-mistress, and the +head-mistress stared back at her. At last Mrs. Steward said glibly: + +"I am sorry to take up any of your valuable time, Miss Sherrard; but I +think I can explain my errand in a few words. I am about to remove my +niece, Elma Lewis, from the school." + +"Indeed, I am heartily glad to hear it," answered Miss Sherrard, visible +relief both in her tone and face. + +"What an extraordinary remark for you to make! But I will pass it by, +for I am in a considerable hurry. I have heard of an admirable school in +Germany to which I intend to send my niece. Not that I have the least +objection to your mode of teaching, Miss Sherrard, nor to this very +celebrated school; but of course when it comes to foreign languages you +cannot compare England to the Continent." + +"Certainly not," answered Miss Sherrard, who was now staring at the +other lady in some wonder. + +"It is my intention to remove Elma to-night," continued Mrs. Steward; +"for although it is not quite the end of term, yet the Harz Mountains +are some distance away, and it would not be possible for a young girl +who has at present no knowledge of the German language to go so far +without an escort. Miss Sherrard, you will be glad to hear that an +escort has been found, a suitable escort, and Elma will leave England +next week. Under these circumstance I propose to take her back to my +husband's rectory in Buckinghamshire to-morrow morning, and she will +leave the school now." + +"Indeed! I repeat that this is a most fortunate coincidence. I am glad +to hear it," said Miss Sherrard. + +"Your remarks seem to me the reverse of flattering; but I have no time +to ask you to explain them. What I have really come about is this: It is +necessary for Elma to have a certificate from her present mistress in +order to be admitted into the very first-class school in Germany where I +propose to place her. Will you kindly give me a testimonial in my +niece's favor, Miss Sherrard? Just say anything you can to the credit of +her character and general attainments. From your many letters to me I +judge that you have a very high opinion of the dear girl; and I trust, +now that I am doing so much, in starting this young girl in life, that I +shall not go unrewarded. The care of the young is a sad trial, Miss +Sherrard and I doubt not that the looking after Elma will worry me +considerably; but I am not one to shirk my duties, and I am willing to +take all this responsibility, and for the future to regard that young +girl as if she were indeed my own child. But I must have the +testimonial, so will you kindly write it at once." + +Miss Sherrard had been sitting with her hands clasped in her lap while +Mrs. Steward was speaking. Once she had lowered her eyes; but during +the greater part of the time they were fixed upon the good lady's face. +A look of consternation, almost akin to despair, flitted now over the +teacher's expressive countenance. + +When at last Mrs. Steward ceased to speak, Miss Sherrard still remained +for nearly half a minute quite silent. + +"You will perhaps oblige me by writing the testimonial?" said Mrs. +Steward in a very haughty voice. Then she added, perceiving that +something was wrong, and finding it impossible to guess what, "I dare +say you are annoyed at Elma leaving the school so unexpectedly--" + +"No, no; nothing of the kind," said Miss Sherrard. "I have told you +twice, Mrs. Steward, that I am glad, very glad of this." + +"Your words surprise me; but of course you will write--my time is +precious, I have not a moment to lose." + +Miss Sherrard now stood up. + +"I cannot give Elma Lewis a testimonial with regard to conduct." The +words came out quietly, firmly, distinctly. + +Mrs. Steward sprang to her feet. + +"You cannot give my niece a testimonial with regard to conduct?" she +gasped. "Do you know what you are saying what you are doing, Miss +Sherrard?" + +"Perfectly well, Mrs. Steward." + +"In your letters to me you have invariably spoken of Elma's conduct as +excellent. Miss Sherrard, you surely forget yourself--you cannot be +well; you must be mistaking Elma for one of your other pupils? She has +always been an exemplary girl. You cannot give her a testimonial with +regard to conduct? Am I to believe the testimony of my own ears?" + +"I am deeply sorry; I have seldom been more grieved about anything. I am +told that Elma has accompanied you here--if you will permit me, I will +send for her, and explain how matters really stand in your presence." + +"Oh, this is intolerable," said Mrs. Steward, clasping and unclasping +her hands in her agitation. "The wicked girl, what has she done? Pray +send for her at once, Miss Sherrard; if she has done anything really +disgraceful I wash my hands of her. If you, her mistress, cannot give +her a certificate, do you suppose that my husband and I will take her +up?" + +"It is impossible for me to say, madam. In this emergency to really help +Elma would be a Christian act. She may have been tempted beyond her +strength, but you will be better able to decide when you know the +circumstances." + +As Miss Sherrard spoke she rang the bell. "When the servant appeared, +she desired her to bring Elma immediately into her presence. A moment +later the young girl entered the room. She gave a wild and frightened +glance first at her aunt, then at Miss Sherrard, then stepping forward, +fell on her knees. + +"Has Kitty told you?" she gasped. + +"Yes, Elma. Get up; you cannot kneel to me." + +"Rise this minute you wicked girl!" said Mrs. Steward. + +Elma staggered to her feet. + +"It is all up, then," she murmured. + +"I know everything, Elma," said Miss Sherrard. "The knowledge has come +to me as a painful surprise. Your aunt has just asked me to give you a +testimonial with regard to character. I am bitterly pained to say that I +must refuse to do so." + +"But what does it all mean," cried Mrs. Steward, "and why am I to be +kept in the dark any longer? Elma, stop twirling your thumbs; stand +back. Now, Miss Sherrard, I have paid the school fees for Elma Lewis for +the last four years, so I presume I am entitled to know all about her. +Tell me what has occurred. Of what she is accused?" + +Miss Sherrard then briefly related the story which had been told to her +by Kitty. + +It was exactly the sort of tale which would affect a woman of Mrs. +Steward's caliber disagreeably. She listened with a horror-stricken +face. When the school-mistress had finished, she said abruptly: + +"What do you propose to do now?" + +"It will be necessary for me to explain the whole circumstances of +Elma's wrong-doing to the entire school to-morrow," said Miss Sherrard. +"This is necessary for the sake of Kitty Malone." + +"At what hour do you propose to make this very pleasant exhibition of my +niece?" + +"After prayers to-morrow morning--I sent for you, Elma," continued Miss +Sherrard, "to tell you, as I thought you ought to be prepared." + +"Thank you," answered Elma, her head bowed on her breast. She felt +stunned and cold. The dreadful blow had fallen; but the acute misery +which was immediately to follow was not at present awakened within +her. + +"Come, Elma," said Mrs. Steward. She turned to leave the room. Just as +she reached the door she looked back at Miss Sherrard. + +"After you have exposed Elma, and ruined her character for life, you +will doubtless expel her?" she said. + +"I hope not--I think not." + +"In any case she leaves the school, for I pay no more fees. Come Elma." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +STARS AND MOON, AND GOD BEHIND. + + +During the long walk home to Constantine Road the elder and the younger +lady maintained an absolute silence. As soon as they got to the house +Mrs. Steward turned to Elma for the first time and spoke. + +"Find out immediately if your mother is in. If she is tell her I wish to +see her. Go; don't stare at me." + +Elma went without a word. Her mother was in, and so was Carrie. + +"Mother," said Elma, "Aunt Charlotte wants to see you." + +"Why, my dear Elma, what is the matter? How queer you look!" + +"Don't mind about me, mother, pray; the expression of my face is not +worth considering. Aunt Charlotte is waiting for you in the +dining-room." + +Mrs. Lewis gave a profound sigh. + +"How very unreasonable of Charlotte!" she said; "she will doubtless be +expecting more tea and cream and fresh eggs, and other impossibilities." + +"Oh, go mother, and stop talking," said Elma. + +Mrs. Lewis dragged herself up from the sofa on which she was reclining. + +"I really don't know what the world is coming to," she said. "Even my +own children are turning out quite disagreeable to me. Dear! dear! what +it is to be a mother! How little those who are fortunate in not +possessing children understand the burden!" + +She went, downstairs slowly, and Elma turned to Carrie. + +Carrie was standing with her back to her; she was making up something in +tissue-paper. + +"Well, Elma," she said, looking up at her sister, "what is up?" + +"Everything is up," said Elma. + +"What do you mean?" + +"Everything is up and everything is over. What are you doing with that +paper, Carrie?" + +"I am folding up the money I have just got for Kitty Malone?" + +"The money you have got for Kitty Malone! Has--has Sam Raynes returned +the sovereigns?" + +"Bless you, poor Sam can't do impossibilities. No; this money has +nothing whatever to do with Sam. I am folding it up, and giving her a +little account with it. We got exactly eleven pounds eleven shillings +for the clothes and the watch and chain. She can redeem them all within +a month if she likes. Here is the pawnbroker's receipt; tell her to keep +it until she does. She can redeem them whenever she cares to pay back +eleven pounds eleven shillings with interest. My commission at ten per +cent, is one pound three shillings and tenpence--that leaves a balance +of ten pounds seven shilling and twopence; it will doubtless get her +nicely out of her difficulty. She ought to be thankful to me to her +dying day. Look here, Elma, if you are worried about things--and I can +guess what is the matter pretty well; for I happen to know that Kitty +Malone made a clean breast of your secret not long ago--you will be glad +to get out of the house. Here, take this money to her, and be off, can't +you?" + +Elma still did not speak. That cold, stunned feeling was pressing round +her heart. She did not much care whether she was in the house or not. +Just at that moment, however, a loud slam of the front door caused both +the girls to run to the window. Mrs. Steward had sailed down the steps. +Mrs. Steward with her long train streaming behind her, was walking up +Constantine Road. The next instant Mrs. Lewis burst into the room. + +"Well, Elma," she cried, "this is a pretty state of things. Your aunt +has told me everything. What a miserable woman I am!" + +"Please, don't scold me," said Elma. "I have had enough scolding during +the last hour to last me my life. Say what you like to me to-morrow." + +"But your aunt says she washes her hands of you. How are you to be +educated? How are you to live? How are you to support yourself?" + +"I don't know. I don't think it much matters." + +"Don't talk in that silly way, Elma; of course it matters. She says too +that you are to be publicly exposed at Middleton School to-morrow, and +your conduct--I must say I could not make out what she was talking +about; I don't see that you did anything very wrong--but your conduct is +to be proclaimed to the school, and that you are to be, if not expelled, +something like it. Elma, this is enough to take all my senses away!" + +"Never mind, now, mother; we can talk it all over presently," said Elma. +"Give me the money, Carrie, and let me go." + +Carrie handed her sister the little parcel without a word. Elma walked +slowly out of the room. + +A moment later she found herself on the dusty road. She reached the top +of the ugly street, and then paused to look around her. To her right lay +the peaceful valley in which Middleton School was situated. A little +further away was the open country, beautiful, verdant, full of summer +splendor. Gwin Harley's house could be seen in the distance. + +"If only Gwin had been my friend this morning, all these terrible things +need not have happened," thought Elma. "I have nothing to thank Gwin +for; I have nothing to thank Kitty for. I am a miserable, forlorn, +forsaken girl. There is nothing before me but the most wretched life. +Shall I go to see Kitty? Does Kitty deserve anything at my hands? I have +got ten pounds seven shillings and twopence in my pocket. Why should I +not go right away with the money? I don't think Kitty would prosecute +me; and if she did would it matter? I am so hopeless that I don't think +anything much worse could happen to me. I know I could not stand being +publicly exposed to-morrow at the school. I cannot have those hundreds +of eyes fixed on me; I, who have always been looked up to, respected, +who belonged to the Tug-of-war Society. I cannot, cannot bear it. Why +should Kitty have this money? She has treated me badly. She promised +not to tell. She had no right to break her word. I cannot see her at +present; no, I cannot." + +Elma walked down the road. She longed beyond words to get into a fresh +place, to be where there was no chance of meeting a Middleton girl. She +walked faster and faster. Presently she found herself at the little +station; she had not an idea where to go nor what to do. She had no +luggage with her. It would look queer her going away without even a +handbag. It would look very much as if she were running away. All the +girls belonging to Middleton School had to wear a badge on their hats, +and Elma would therefore be known. She would be recognized as one of the +pupils. Nevertheless she thought she would risk it, for the longing to +go away got stronger and stronger. + +The railway station happened to be rather empty at this time. She looked +around her hastily, saw no one that she knew about, and went into the +booking-office. She hastily made up her mind to take a ticket for a +large seaport town a few miles distant. She asked for a third-class +single ticket to Saltbury, inquired when the next train came up, and a +few moments later found herself on the right platform waiting for it. It +came in within a quarter of an hour, and Elma took her seat in a +third-class compartment. She was relieved to find that she was in the +company of a good-natured-looking, middle-aged woman who was just +returning to her own home from doing some marketing at Middleton. She +did not take any notice of Elma, who crouched up in the opposite corner, +and sat looking out at the country. The woman left the carriage at the +next station, and Elma continued her journey for the rest of the way +alone. She got to Saltbury within an hour, and stepped out on to the +platform. She had been at Saltbury before with her mother and Carrie. +They had once spent a never-to-be-forgotten week there when Mrs. Lewis +had a ten-pound note in her pocket which she resolved to devote to a +treat at the seaside. Elma wondered if she might venture to go to the +little cottage in the suburbs of Saltbury where she had spent this week. +After reflection, however, she thought that it would not be wise to +venture, for if she were missed it would be very easy to trace her to +Saltbury, and then this cottage would be the first to seek for her in. +Accordingly she went into the more thronged and populous part of the +town. The expensive season had not yet begun, and she presently went +into a neat little house with "Apartments" written on a card in the +window. She asked for a bed for the night. The landlady, a ruddy-faced +young woman, immediately said she could accommodate her, and took Elma +upstairs to the top of the house to show her a neat little bedroom. + +"You can have this for half a crown a night, miss," she said. "Are you +likely to make a long stay?" + +"I don't know," answered Elma; "I can't be sure. I want the room for one +night, and then I'll let you know." + +"Very well, miss, that's quite satisfactory, and I can get in anything +you like in the way of food. If you happened to wish for a sitting-room, +miss--" + +"Oh, no, a bedroom will be enough," answered Elma. "I do not care to go +to the expense of a sitting-room." + +"You left your luggage I suppose, miss, at the railway station?" + +Elma colored and then turned pale. + +"No," she said; "I have not brought any luggage with me." + +The woman stared, opening her eyes very wide, now giving Elma a full and +particular attention which she had not hitherto vouchsafed to her. She +said nothing further, and Elma went downstairs. + +"I'll go down to the beach for a little," she said. "You might have some +tea ready for me when I come back. I am very tired, and should like some +tea and toast." + +"And a hegg, miss, or anything of that sort?" + +"No, thank you; just tea and toast, please. Nothing more." + +The woman stared after her as she went down the street. Elma got as far +as the beach; she then sat down on a bench and gazed out at the waves. +The tide was coming in. The beach at Saltbury was celebrated, and +children were playing about, amusing themselves gathering shells, making +sand-castles, and otherwise disporting themselves after the manner of +their kind. A little boy was wading far out. Elma watched him with +lack-luster eyes. She wondered vaguely how long he would be allowed to +wade, and how deep he might go. He got as far as his knees, and then +turned back. As he was going back he fell, wetting himself and crying +out lustily. + +Elma continued to gaze at him with eyes which scarcely saw. + +"He thinks he is hurt," she said to herself, "that he has had a +terrible misfortune. How little he knows what real pain means, and what +real misfortune is! Here am I with money in my pocket which does not +belong to me, having run away from home, disgraced for life, miserable +for life. Oh! what shall I do?" + +It had been a very hot day, but the evening was chilly, and Elma +shivered as she went back to her lodgings in South Street. She had +brought away no wraps with her, and her thin cotton dress was not +sufficient to keep out the chill of the sea breezes. She thought she +would be glad to get under shelter, to go to bed, to wrap herself up and +cover her face and court sleep. When she got to the door, however, the +young landlady, who was evidently waiting for her, came out on to the +steps. + +"If you please, miss," she said, "I am really very sorry, but my husband +thinks----" + +"What?" said Elma. + +"That as you have no luggage, miss (you know it ain't customary for us +to take in ladies without luggage)----" + +"Then you mean--" said Elma, turning very white and pale. + +"Yes, miss, I'm ever so sorry." + +"You can't give me the room even for one night?" + +"We can't really, miss." + +"But I can pay in advance," said Elma eagerly. + +"I'm ever so sorry, miss; but another lady came just as you left, and +she had a box and a handbag, and everything proper, and as she wanted +the room very badly and as we had her before, we have let it to her, +miss. I am sure I am very sorry not to oblige; but I dare say--There +are a great many other apartments down this road, miss." + +"Thank you," said Elma; "it does not matter at all." + +She spoke with a voice of ice; pride, a remnant of pride, came to her +aid. She would not let the woman see how distressed she was. + +"Good-evening, miss," said the young landlady. "I'm real sorry not to +oblige." + +"Oh, it doesn't matter," said Elma; "I dare say I can manage." + +She walked down South Street, knowing that the landlady was watching her +as she disappeared. She soon came to a corner where four roads met. +Where should she go? What could she do? Where was she to have shelter +for the night? + +It occurred to her that after all there was nothing now left to her but +to return to Middleton. She hurried up to the railway station, and asked +when the next train would start. A porter, who was standing just inside +the station informed her that the last train for Middleton had left five +minutes ago. + +"The next will be at seven to-morrow morning," he said. + +"Thank you," answered Elma. She would not allow any of the dismay on her +face to appear. + +"After all, it is too absurd that I can't have shelter," she said to +herself, "when I have over ten pounds in my pocket. What can the +landlady have meant? Surely, if I pay my way that is all that is +necessary." + +But, all the same, she did not like to go and inquire at any other +lodging. She could not stand meeting once again the stony stare of a +landlady when she explained that she had no luggage, none at all. It +occurred to her that she might go into a shop and buy some night-gear +and a small handbag, but she rejected the idea almost as quickly as it +came to her. + +"It would only waste the money," she said to herself, "and where is the +use? I suppose I can manage to spend the night somewhere. Thank +goodness, it is a fine summer's night; I might do worse than spend it in +the open air." + +She wandered away, and presently passing a small restaurant, went in and +ordered a cup of tea for herself, and some bread and butter. She drank +the tea, but found that to eat choked her. The outlook before her was +more miserable moment by moment. She was driven to such despair that it +seemed of very little consequence to her whether she succeeded in +getting away from Middleton School, from the censorious eyes of the +whole of her world, or not. Everything was up with her. She kept +repeating that moodily, drearily under her breath. Everything was up; +she had not a friend in the wide, wide world. + +Having finished her meager meal, she went out again into South Street. +She was horrified when she saw the name at one end of the street. She +did not want to pass by that neat little house which contained that snug +little bedroom where she had hoped to cover her eyes from the light, and +court sleep, in order to get rid of her misery for a few hours. + +She had now reached the neighborhood of the shore. The tide was nearly +full in; the great, broad expanse of beach was covered. The children +had all gone home to supper and to bed. The stars were coming out in the +sky; a full moon was riding in majesty across the heavens. It seemed to +Elma, fine as the night was, that the sea moaned in an unreasonable and +very dreadful manner. She had to press her hands to her ears to shut +away the sound of that moaning sea. She determined to go inland. There +was plenty of time, plenty. She could get back to the station by seven +in the morning, wait for the first train which returned to Middleton, +and reach the school after all in time for her exposure. + +She turned her steps now countrywise, and after walking for a mile or +two found that she was too weary to go any further. She crept inside a +narrow opening in a hedge, and got into a field. Here she was absolutely +alone; not a human being was in sight. As far as she could tell there +was not a living creature near. She felt the grass; it was heavy with +dew. She had always heard that it was very dangerous to sit down on +grass soaked with dew, but danger now was of no moment to her. + +"It would be rather nice to be ill; it would be rather nice to die." She +had nothing left to live for. Her whole life had been a mistake. She had +tried hard to get away from her own set, the set in which she was born. +She had made a mess of it; she had failed. Her own set--the +narrow-minded, the vulgar, the low--were the only ones who could claim +her, who could touch her, who could have anything in common with her. +How terribly shocked Miss Sherrard had been at what she had done. How +disgusted, how coldly, terribly cruel Aunt Charlotte had been; but her +mother had thought very little about it, and Carrie would love her just +as much after her disgraceful conduct as she had done before. + +"I belong to them, and they belong to me," thought poor Elma. "My +ambitions were wrong; I shall sink now, and become a second Carrie. No, +I shall never marry a Sam Raynes, but I shall become a sour old maid. +Perhaps I shall do charring some day, there is no saying. I did wrong to +try to raise myself. I----" + +She never saw where her fault lay. She was not really repentant for her +wrong-doing. The consequences were terrible, but the sin did not trouble +her. + +After a time, terribly exhausted and weary, she lay down just as she was +on the soaking wet grass and fell asleep. She had been chilled and tired +before she slept; but when in the very middle of the night she awoke she +had never known anything like the bitter cold which she experienced. She +could not at first remember where she was; but all too soon memory with +a flash returned to her. She remembered all the events of yesterday. She +knew that she was a runaway, that she had stolen money in her pocket. +She might be arrested and put in prison; there was no saying what awful +fate lay before her. In the dead of night lying there she became really +frightened; she almost felt as if she could scream aloud in her terror. +How empty the world seemed, how hollow! She wished the stars overhead +would not blink at her; she wished the moon would go behind a cloud; she +felt as if God Himself was looking at her through the face of the moon, +and she did not like it. She covered her face with her cold and +trembling hands, and tried to shut away what she felt might be the face +of God Himself. + +"I have been a very wicked girl," she moaned, and now, for the first +time, she thought not so much of the consequences as of the sin. Tears +rained from her eyes; she sat up and covered her face. + +"God help me! Please, God, don't be too angry, with me; I am the most +miserable girl in the world," she faltered. + +After that frightened cry or prayer she felt more comfortable; and now, +staggering to her feet, she saw, standing about ten yards away, and +looking at her fixedly out of its large and luminous eyes, a brown cow. +There were several more cows in the field, and this one had come up, and +was gazing inquiringly at her. The motherly creature could not imagine +what desolate and queer young thing this was, up and awake in the middle +of the night. Such creatures as Elma, in the cow's experience, were not +to be seen at these inclement hours. It lashed its long tail slowly from +side to side, and kept gazing at her; and Elma looked at it, and her +nervous terrors grew worse. The cow had horns; suppose it came near, and +tried to horn her. She was not a country girl, and did not understand +country creatures. A bitter cry of abject terror rose from her lips. She +darted past the animal, rushed out by the way she had come into the +field, and found herself once more on the highroad. + +The cow, its curiosity very faintly tickled by the appearance of Elma on +the scene, placidly resumed its feeding, and the terrified girl ran as +if she had wings to her feet up the highroad. + +In after days she was never able to tell how she spent the remainder of +that night; but the longest hours only herald in the dawn, and at last +the sun arose and the worst of her fears were over. The sun warmed her, +and took away the dreadful feeling of chill which she was experiencing. +She wandered about, sitting down now and then, too feeble, too tired, +too utterly depressed to have room even for active fears, and at last +the time came when she might again present herself at the station. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +SUNSHINE AGAIN. + + +When Carrie left her, Kitty Malone was buoyed up with a certain degree +of hope. Carrie had spoken with confidence; she had assured her that her +clothes were worth money. Never before, much as she prized pretty +things, had they seemed so valuable in poor Kitty's eyes. If Carrie +would really keep her word it would be possible for Kitty to send Laurie +the money which he wanted that evening. Could she do this her worst +anxieties would be laid to rest, and she felt that it would be even +possible for her to try to be good once more. As things were at present, +she cared nothing at all about being either good or bad. Every thought +of her mind was fixed upon Laurie; if he were saved she would be good; +if not--if he indeed, the darling of her heart, went to the +dogs--nothing mattered. + +Kitty was too restless and miserable to go down to the rest of the +family. She walked up and down, up and down her bedroom, watching and +longing for Carrie. Now and then she would rush to the window, putting +out her head and shoulders and half her body, to watch if by any chance +Carrie might be coming up the street. That red-faced, fat, +uninteresting-looking young woman now represented all Kitty's hopes. + +When darkness set in, however, when the hours first struck nine and +then ten, poor Kitty gradually saw the last star in her firmament +expire. "Without doubt Carrie had failed to pawn the things. + +"And I thought them so good," whispered Kitty to herself. "Aunt Bridget +would be sure to choose nice and expensive things. Perhaps they were too +good for the people who come to the pawnbroker for their clothes. That +must be the reason; but I wonder Carrie did not come back to tell me." + +Presently Alice bustled into the room, and, opening the door of the +large wardrobe which the girls shared between them, began to make active +search for a neat little jacket which she wanted to put on. She was +going out for the evening, and wished to wear it when she was returning +home. Search as she would, however, she could not find it, and presently +turned to ask Kitty if she had seen it. + +"Dear me, no," answered Kitty, starting and blushing. "Is it not in the +wardrobe?" + +"No," replied Alice. "And I remember I hung it on this peg. Where can it +possibly have disappeared to? Don't you know anything about it, Kitty? +By the way, how wonderfully empty the wardrobe looks! Have you been +putting your clothes back into your boxes?" + +Kitty, who had been standing in the middle of the room looking the very +picture of despair, now burst into a hearty peal of laughter. + +"What are you laughing about?" asked Alice. + +"I am awfully afraid it has happened," she cried. + +"What do you mean?" + +"Why, that your jacket has gone to the pawn." + +"Kitty!" cried Alice, looking at the Irish girl in some alarm, "have you +gone mad?" + +"No, Alice; but I am dreadfully afraid all the same that it has +happened; indeed, there can be no doubt of it." + +Kitty laughed again. She often cried when she laughed and now the tears +ran down her cheeks. + +"Well, this is too funny!" she gasped between her paroxysms of mirth. + +"I don't think it funny at all. I think you must have taken leave of +your senses. Kitty, please, explain yourself." + +"I will try to, Alice. Oh, don't frown at me so horribly, or I shall go +off into fits of laughter again. This is the simple truth. I wanted +money very, very badly. I could not get it, and Carrie Lewis--" + +"Carrie Lewis? Who is she?" asked Alice. + +"Oh, don't be so ridiculous, Alice. Of course you know who Carrie Lewis +is. She is Elma's sister. She came here to-day." + +"How very interesting! What a nice set of people you seem to be getting +to know! I wasn't aware that you were acquainted with any of the Lewises +except Elma." + +"Well, I am acquainted with Carrie now, and I rather like her. She is +great fun, much more fun than you are. She is vulgar, of course; but +really that does not matter. She called to see me, and as I happened to +want money she suggested pawning some of my things for me. I conclude +she took your jacket by mistake with the rest." + +Alice was so stunned absolutely by this news that no words would come +to her. She stared at Kitty, her face growing whiter and more +wooden-looking each moment. Then, without vouchsafing a syllable of +reply, she left the room, banging the door behind her. + +"There, I have given her a good settler," thought Kitty; and for a +moment the feeling that Alice was as uncomfortable as she was herself +gave her a certain sense of satisfaction. + +The last post brought a letter from Laurie. It was brief, and was +written in frantic hurry and despair. + +"My dear Kitty," wrote the boy, "what has come to you? I am looking for +a letter by every post, but none arrives. I shall not be able to give +Wheel-about the money I promised him on Saturday, and I know he will not +keep my secret any longer. When father hears it, all is up. If I don't +receive that money by Saturday morning I shall run away to +sea.--LAURIE." + +The letter fluttered from poor Kitty's fingers to the floor. She felt +stunned; there was a cold weight now at her heart, which made it almost +impossible for her to move or even think. If Laurie did not get the +money by Saturday morning he would run away to sea. This was Thursday +evening. There was still time, just time, to save him. Oh, if only +Carrie would come! How dreadful, how terrible of her to fail Kitty at +such a moment as this! Laurie was just the sort of boy to do what he +said. The longing to go to sea had been one of the innermost cravings of +his heart for many years. If he did so, the squire would never forgive +him. His career would be ruined. Bad and awful as an English school in +Kitty's opinion would be, the fate which he now had mapped out for +himself would be much worse. The cruel, cruel sea might even drown him. +Kitty might never behold her Laurie again. He was the joy of her heart +and the light of her eyes. She uttered a piercing cry, and fell down +half-fainting by her bedside. She lay so for the greater part of an +hour, then struggling to her feet got into bed without undressing, and +pulled the bedclothes well over her head. + +When Alice came in very late that evening she thought that Kitty was +asleep, and did not disturb her; but all during the long hours of that +miserable night poor Kitty lay awake, her heart beating loud, terrible +visions passing before her eyes. Toward morning she fell into a troubled +sleep, to awake again quite early. Her head ached badly, her pulses beat +too quickly; she could not stand her hot bed any longer. Springing up, +she went into the bathroom, turned on the cold water, and refreshed +herself with a bath. She felt really desperate and quite impervious to +all ideas of discipline. She made up her mind to go to the Lewises, +knock up Carrie, and demand an account of the property which she had +confided to her on the previous day. Even still there was just--just +time to save Laurie, for if she could catch the early post he would +receive his money on Saturday morning. + +Kitty found herself at Constantino Road between seven and eight o'clock. +The blinds of Carrie's bedroom window were still down, for the Lewises +were not early risers. Maggie however, was up, and when Kitty rang the +bell she opened the door for her. + +"Miss Malone!" she cried. + +"I want to see Miss Carrie at once," cried Kitty. "Is she up, Maggie?" + +"Not she, miss. She's sound asleep and in bed. But I'll run up and tell +her that you are here. Please come into the dining-room, Miss Malone." + +Maggie threw open the door of this by-no-means luxurious apartment, and +then ran upstairs to inform Carrie of Kitty's unexpected arrival. + +"Now, what can be up?" thought Carrie. "Surely she is satisfied. I did +very well for her." + +She dressed herself hastily, and in five minutes was standing by Kitty's +side. + +"What is it?" she asked. "Are you not pleased? Elma took you the money, +did she not? She must have stayed with one of the Middleton School girls +for the night, for she never returned home; but she took you the money. +I thought I did very well by you. Were you not satisfied?" + +"She took me the money?" cried Kitty, turning pale. "No; that she did +not. I never had any money. What do you mean, Carrie?" + +"What I say," answered Carrie. "Oh, do sit down, Kitty; you look quite +ghastly. I gave Elma ten pounds seven shillings and twopence to give you +I got eleven guineas for your things, including the watch and chain. +After I deducted my ten per cent., the balance for you was ten pounds +seven and twopence. I thought you would be delighted. Did she not take +you the money early yesterday evening?" + +"No. I have never seen her." + +"But she left here quite early on purpose. She said she was going +straight to your house. I sent you plenty of money, did I not?" + +"How much did you say?" asked Kitty, putting her hand up to her forehead +in a distracted way. + +"Ten pounds seven and twopence. You only really wanted eight pounds, did +you not?" + +"I had a little money of my own, and eight pounds would have done," said +Kitty in a low voice; "but----" + +Here she sprang forward and gripped Carrie by the arm. "What does it +mean, Carrie--what does it mean? Elma never came near me; I never, never +saw her last night." + +"You never saw her? Elma never went to you?" + +"No, never. Do you think I would tell an untruth? I never saw her, not +since early school yesterday. Oh, Carrie, tell me what it means?" + +"I cannot. I must say it looks very queer," said Carrie. She frowned, +turned her back partly upon Kitty, and supporting her fat chin on one of +her dimpled hands, began to think deeply. The more she thought the less +she liked the aspect of affairs. + +"Carrie, what does it mean?" cried Kitty, reiterating her words in a +kind of frenzy of agitation. + +"Oh, stop talking to me for a minute, Kitty! I must think this out." + +Carrie walked to the window, pulled up the blinds, threw the sash up, +and allowed the fresh morning air to blow upon her hot face. After a +time she turned round and faced Kitty. + +"You may well look pale," she said. "I confess I am as bewildered as you +are yourself. Of course Elma may have been taken ill--she had a +dreadful shock yesterday." + +"How?" + +"You are silly to talk like that. Don't you know?" + +"You mean because I told about her?" + +"Well, it turned out very badly, as badly as possible. You did tell, and +when you did so you ruined her. If you had only kept that precious story +to yourself, even for twenty-four hours, little Elma would have been +made--made for life; but you ruined her." + +"Oh do please tell me what you mean! My head is going round in a whirl; +I can scarcely follow you." + +"You can pull yourself together if you like. This is what happened. I +told you, did I not, yesterday, that Aunt Charlotte pays Elma's fees at +Middleton School?" + +"I think so, but I don't quite remember." + +"That is so like you. I always said you were selfish." + +"Think what you like, Carrie; but please tell me everything." + +"Oh, I'm quite willing. This is the story. Aunt Charlotte came here +yesterday. She had heard of a splendid school in Germany, where Elma was +to be sent as pupil-teacher. She wanted Elma to leave Middleton School +at once, as she had found an escort to take her to Germany; but before +Elma could be admitted into this new school it was necessary for her to +have a certificate from Miss Sherrard. Now you see daylight, don't you? +My aunt, Mrs. Steward, went to see Miss Sherrard, taking Elma with her. +Elma did not know that you had put a match to the mine, and of course +Aunt Charlotte knew nothing about it. When Miss Sherrard was asked to +give Elma a certificate for conduct, she refused point-blank. Of course +the mine exploded. Elma was called in, and all your nice, miserable +story told to Aunt Charlotte. Elma is to be publicly exposed at +Middleton School to-day; and Aunt Charlotte has washed her hands of her +forever. There! that's what you have done. We have much to thank you +for, have we not?" + +Kitty's face had grown whiter and whiter. + +"You blame me very much for what I am not to be blamed for," she said +after a pause. + +"That's what you think. You're an Irish girl, and you think nothing of a +promise. You promised Elma you would not tell. You lent her the money, +and you promised you would not tell about it. You broke your promise, +and you have ruined her for life. There! that's what has happened. I +wish you joy of the nice state your conscience must be in." + +"You are very bitter to me, Carrie; but you cannot quite see my side of +the question. I would not have told about Elma if Elma had been in the +least true to me, but she was not, not a bit. All the same, I am +terribly, terribly sorry for her. I would not have got her into this +scrape if I had known." + +"Ay, you had no thought, you see. You just blurted out everything." + +"I am very miserable," said poor Kitty. She clasped her trembling hands +together, and tears slowly welled into her beautiful dark-blue eyes. +Carrie watched her with anxiety. + +"There, now I like you," she said, after a pause "You look awfully +pretty with those tears in your eyes, and----" + +"Pretty, do I?" said Kitty. For a moment a pleased smile flitted across +her face, but then it faded; the present anxiety was too intense for her +to give much thought to her personal appearance. + +"Where can Elma be?" she said. + +"Ah, that's the dreadful part. I don't know. She went out of the house +with your money. She evidently never took it to you. I am sure I cannot +think what has happened to her." + +"And my money is gone?" said Kitty. + +"So it seems--that is, unless we can find Elma. It is all very dreadful, +very horrible. I suppose the plain English of the matter is this"--here +Carrie gulped something down in her throat--"that she--she stole your +money and has run away with it." + +"Carrie, you cannot think so!" + +"It is what I have to think," answered Carrie. "It is a mighty +unpalatable truth, I can tell you. I suppose, now, your next step will +be to prosecute her to send the police after her, and have her locked +up. Then you will ruin me too, for Sam Raynes--not that he is +overparticular, nor that he cares twopence about refinement, or anything +of that sort--would not care to marry a girl whose--whose sister was put +in prison. That's your next step isn't it, Kitty Malone?" + +"I won't stop to listen to you," said Kitty; "you are too terrible." + +She ran to the door, opened it, and the next moment found herself in +the street. She walked fast, ugly words repeating themselves in her +ears. Carrie had been very blunt, and had given the petted, half-spoiled +girl some home truths to think about. Had she really been unkind in +telling about Elma? Oh, what was right and what was wrong? What was the +matter? Could she ever, ever, in the whole course of her existence, have +a light heart again? She walked up the street, little caring what she +was doing or where she was going. At the next corner she came plump upon +Elma herself, who was coming slowly, very slowly in the direction of +Constantine Road. When she saw her, poor Kitty gave a sudden shout. + +"Oh, Elma!" she said, "how glad I am--how glad I am!" + +"What do you mean?" said Elma. Her voice was faint. + +"I thought I might never see you again. I thought--I don't know what I +thought--but you have come back." + +"I ran away, and I have come back again," said Elma. "You can punish me +if you like, Kitty; things can never be much worse than they are." Here +she staggered, and would have fallen had not Kitty held her up. + +"How dreadfully bad you look! But oh, the relief of seeing you again!" +said Kitty. "Where have you been? What have you done?" + +"I scarcely know what I have done, or where I have been. I have a noise +in my head, a queer noise. My head aches so badly it seems as if it +would never leave off again. I am going to school, and they are going +to expose me. It was all because you told, Kitty. And here is nearly +all your money." Elm a put her hand into her pocket. "I must tell you +everything, Kitty; for nothing really matters now. I meant to take that +money. I meant to steal it all, but when it came to the point I found I +could not. Here is most of it back. I spent three shillings on my fare +to Saltbury and back, and sixpence on tea last night. That leaves ten +pounds three and eightpence. Here, count it, won't you, Kitty? Take it +in your hand. Here are the ten sovereigns, and the three shillings, and +the sixpence and twopence. Have you got them all right? I must owe you +the balance, but I'll pay you soon--soon." + +Elma's voice sounded weaker and weaker. Kitty clasped the money; her +small fingers closed over it, her eyes grew bright, a flaming color rose +into each of her cheeks, and it was as if new life was put into her. + +"How bad you look!" she cried; "but oh, how happy I am to have this +money! Never mind for a moment what you meant to do; I have it now, and +I forgive you with my whole heart. Let us go straight to the nearest +post office. I must get a postal order lor eight pounds immediately. +Come, Elma, come." + +"But what do you mean? Why should I go with you?" + +"Because you must--because I am not going to part with you--not yet. +Come, come at once. Oh, how dead tired you look! You are not to go back +to that dreadful little house of yours--not yet. Here is a nice-looking +restaurant. You just go straight in, and I'll go on to the post office +and send off the postal order to the dear old boy. He is saved now, and +I am saved; nothing--nothing else matters. Dear Elma, of course I +forgive you; pray don't look so miserable. I felt fit to die five +minutes ago, but now I am as well and jolly as possible. Here, Elma, +come into the restaurant and wait." + +Kitty had clutched hold of Elma's arm, and now she dragged her into a +large, bright-looking restaurant, which they were just passing. The next +moment Elma found herself seated by a small marble table. Kitty was +ordering tea or something, Elma could not quite make out what, nor did +she care. Everything was dreamy and unreal to her. + +"I'll be back in a minute, Elma," cried Kitty. Her flashing eyes smiled +as they glanced at Elma. Elma tried to smile back, but could not. The +next moment Kitty was out of the place. She was back again in less than +a quarter of an hour. + +"I have done it," she cried, "and my heart is as light as a feather. I +have sent off the postal order to Laurie; he will be saved now. Oh, it +is so comforting; and we have a little over two pounds for ourselves." + +"For ourselves--what do you mean?" said Elma. + +"Why, of course, we'll divide it and have a jolly time. Aren't you going +to have your breakfast? I'm as hungry as a hawk." + +As Kitty spoke she poured out a cup of tea, added milk to it, and pushed +it toward Elma. Elma drank it off, and when she had done so the confused +feeling in her head got a little better. Kitty then began to speak in a +low, excited whisper. + +"Let us do something," she said. "Let us do something quite mad and +wild and jolly. We have got out of our scrape." + +"You have; but I am in it up to my neck," said poor Elma. "Oh Kitty, I +am a miserable, wretched girl!" + +"Never mind, you are going to be a jolly girl now, the jolliest girl in +the world. Do you think because I am happy again that I am going to +leave you to all this misery, particularly after that nice blunt, +determined Carrie of yours telling me that it was my fault, and that I +would repent it to my dying day? Look here, Elma, did you say that you +wanted to go back to Middleton School this morning?" + +"I have to. I am to be exposed, you know." + +"Not a bit of it. Neither you nor I will go to that hateful school; let +us run away." + +"Run away? But I have run away and come back again." + +"Let us do it over again." + +"Kitty, what do you mean?" + +"What I say. I have heaps of money; let us get back to Saltbury and enjoy +ourselves, Elma. Why can't we take the next train? No one will prevent +us; no one will guess where we are. We will have a nice time, a really +nice time. Say 'Yes,' Elma, won't you?" + +"But would you really go with me?" + +"Why not? I am the wild Irish girl, and you are the naughty English +girl; let us go off together." + +"Well, it does sound tempting," said Elma, her eyes sparkling. "Kitty, +it is wonderful of you not to give me up." + +"Oh, I am not the sort of girl to give up a friend when she is in +trouble. You have made it right for me, and the sun is shining again, +and I am as happy as the day is long. Elma, you must come." + +"It does sound tempting--I wish my head did not ache so badly." + +"It will be better when you get to the seaside." + +"Perhaps so, and then I need not go to Middleton School." + +"You need never go there again. Oh, don't waste any more time over +breakfast. We can eat when we get to Saltbury. I want to get off before +Alice and Carrie or any of them begin to miss us. Let us go to the +railway station; it is not far off." + +Kitty's eager and impetuous words earned the day, and in a quarter of an +hour's time the girls found themselves speeding away to Saltbury. + +"We have indeed burned our boats now," said Kitty, with a laugh; "we +have both run away. Now they have something really to scold us about; +but never mind. I never felt, more jolly in my life." + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +KITTY "GO-BRAGH" (FOREVER). + + +But Kitty's happiness was very short-lived, for long before they got to +Saltbury Elma was really so ill that she could not hold up her head. +Kitty had never seen such severe illness before. She was not easily +frightened; she had plenty of pluck when a real emergency arose, and she +now determined to do her best for her companion. + +"It is all the worry and the misery she has undergone," thought Kitty to +herself; "but now that my mind is at rest she will see what a good +friend I can be to her." When they got to Saltbury she immediately +ordered a cab, and desired the man to drive her to the nearest hotel. + +"Oh, Kitty!" gasped poor Elma, "they won't take us in, because we have +no luggage, you know." + +"I'll manage it," said Kitty; "no luggage--what does that matter?" + +She followed Elma into the cab, and a few moments later the girls found +themselves at the door of a neat little inn facing the sea. Kitty jumped +out and went straight to the bar. + +"I want a nice, quiet bedroom," she said, "with two beds in it." + +"Certainly, miss," said the woman, glancing into Kitty's bright face. + +"It must be a very quiet room," continued Kitty, "for my companion is +ill; she has a bad headache, and we must send for a doctor immediately." + +"Yes, miss. I'll send the porter out to bring in your luggage." + +"That's the annoying part," said Kitty; "we have no luggage." + +The woman looked dubious, and turned to glance at a man who approached. + +"Two young ladies want a room," she said in a low voice. "One of them is +ill, and--they have no luggage." + +"Then in that case, miss, I am very sorry----" began the man. + +But Kitty interrupted him. + +"Don't say those words," she began. "I know exactly what you are going +to say, but please don't. We have no luggage, for we--we have run away +from school. There now, I have confided in you. Here's father's card. He +will be responsible for us. Please show us to your very best room +immediately." + +As Kitty spoke she took a card out of her sealskin purse and handed it +to the woman. + +"Dennis Malone, Castle Malone, County Donegal," was inscribed on the +small piece of pasteboard. It evidently had a good effect, but a still +greater effect was produced by the sparkling and lovely eyes of the +handsome girl who spoke in a tone of quiet assurance. + +"Father will be so grateful to you for taking us in," she continued. "It +would be terrible, you know, if you allowed us to wander about the +streets. I am going to telegraph to him now, and he will arrive here, I +have no doubt, within the next twenty-four hours. I have not much money +with me," added Kitty frankly, "but father will bring plenty--plenty when +he arrives." + +Again the man and woman whispered together, and now approving and +interesting glances turned in Kitty's direction. The woman presently +said: + +"Very well, miss, we'll do our best for you. Will you follow me, miss?" + +She took Kitty and Elma upstairs and showed them into the best room in +the house. In a very short time poor Elma found herself in bed, with +Kitty bending over her, kissing her now and then, and whispering kind +words in her ears. + +"I have managed beautifully with the people of the hotel," whispered +Kitty. "And now, darling, you'll be made so comfortable. I am going to +make up to you for--for what Carrie said I did." + +"But you did nothing; it was I who was bad, very bad," cried Elma. + +"Oh, don't begin to get remorseful now, while you are ill. Wait, at +least until you are better. I have ordered some fruit and jelly and ice, +and I have asked the landlady--isn't she a dear--to send for the +doctor." + +"It seems like a dream," said Elma. "Is it possible that everything has +changed so completely, and you--you, Kitty Malone--you to whom I have +acted so badly, are good to me?" + +"Yes, yes, I mean to be good to you; but don't begin to fret about your +sins until you are better. Leave unpleasant things alone. Go to sleep, +Elma; go to sleep." + +Kitty went out of the room and stood and reflected for a few moments on +the landing. + +"Here's a state of things," Kitty said to herself; "but on the whole I +rather like it. I knew I should be good in emergencies; I felt that it +was in me. I am afraid poor Elma is going to be downright ill. I suppose +I did wrong to run away--perhaps I did; but I am so relieved about +Laurie that nothing else seems to matter now. I will telegraph +immediately to the dear old dad and ask him to come right away here at +once. When I see him and know that Laurie is really saved, I'll just +tell him everything. Oh, yes, that is the only--only thing to do." + +Kitty went straight to the nearest post office, and in an incredibly +short space of time the following message was being carried across the +wires to Castle Malone: + +"AT THE SIGN OF THE RED DOE, SALTBURY.--You will be surprised, father; +but I have run away from school. I will tell you everything when I see +you. I am here with a sick girl who has also run away. We have very +little money; and I, your Kitty, want you dreadfully. Come to me as +quickly as you can. + +"KITTY MALONE." + +"Bless him," said the girl to herself. "He may be angry for a minute, +but this message will bring him on the wings of the wind. Now that it +has gone off I wonder ought I to let them know at Middleton?" + +Kitty reflected earnestly over this problem. She quickly, however, made +up her mind to keep her secret to herself. + +"A little suspense will be rather good for Alice than otherwise," she +thought; "and although Mr and Mrs. Denvers may be anxious about me, they +can but telegraph to father; and as he will know my address already it +won't put him into a taking. Miss Sherrard too can bear it; and as to +Carrie, I am really sorry for poor old Carrie, and I should not much +mind having her here; but I think until father comes I will look after +Elma my lone self, as they say in Ireland." + +Having made up her mind, Kitty went back to the hotel and asked the +landlady, with whom she was now great friends, to send for the best +doctor in the neighborhood. + +Dr. Marchand arrived in the course of the morning, and pronounced Elma +to be ill, but not alarmingly so. + +"Your young friend is suffering from considerable shock," he said, "and +has evidently also taken a severe cold; but with care and nursing she +will in all probability soon get relief--that is, if the strain from +which she is suffering is taken off her mind." + +"Oh, I think I can manage that," answered Kitty, nodding to the doctor +in a very bright and frank way. Her dark-blue eyes were shining like +stars; the color in her cheeks, the set of her beautiful head on her +lovely neck, the very arrangement of her clothes fairly bewitched that +good man. He had seldom seen such sparkling eyes nor such a beautiful +dimpled mouth. Kitty's manner completely won Dr. Marchand over to her +side, as it had already done the good people at the hotel. + +After getting innumerable directions from the doctor, she went +downstairs to consult with her land lady. + +"Now, Mrs. Stacey," she said, "I must buy lots of things, and I wonder +if you can help me. I have telegraphed to father to come here; but until +he does I have only this much;" here she opened her purse and tumbled +the contents on to the landlady's palm. + +Mrs. Stacey started back in some astonishment. Really this was a very +fascinating young lady; but she had never met anybody quite so--so out +of the common. + +"You can reckon it up if you like," said Kitty; "you will see that it +does not come to two pounds. Now, do you know of a shop that would trust +me--give me credit, I mean--for some things?" + +"What sort of things, miss?" + +"Oh, clothes, and a couple of trunks. You see, we are not respectable +without trunks, are we?" + +"Oh, yes, Miss Malone, you are." + +"But do you know of such a shop? Please think very hard, Mrs. Stacey." + +"Williamson's round the corner will oblige you to any extent, miss, if +you mention my name." + +"Then I'll go there immediately. Thank you; how very nice you are!" said +Kitty. + +"Of course I ought not to be nice to you, miss, for it ain't right--no, +that it ain't--to encourage runaways." + +"When you know our story you will be quite glad you encouraged us," +laughed Kitty. + +"Then perhaps you'll confide in me, miss." + +Kitty colored and thought for a moment. + +"I think father must know it first," she said. "And now I must rush +away to get the things that poor Elma requires." + +During the course of that day it could scarcely be said that Kitty +Malone was without luggage; for two new trunks presently made their +appearance, full to the brim with all sorts of dainty clothing both for +Elma and herself. + +"Elma," she cried, dancing into the sick-room, "I have got two of the +most charming hats you ever laid eyes on. Mine is sweetly becoming to +me, and I am sure yours will suit you equally well; they are both big +white leghorns, with great bunches of black feathers in front. Won't +they look sweet with our new muslin dresses? Mine is pink, but I thought +blue would suit you best. I expect dad to-morrow evening at the latest; +and I am going to meet him at the station in my new hat and dress. There +will be no doubt about his forgiving me when he sees me in them." + +Just then there was a tap at the door, and Kitty, rushing to open it, +found a telegram awaiting her. She tore it open and read the following +words: + +"Starting from Dublin by the night-boat, with you to-morrow.--DENNIS +MALONE." + +"There, didn't I say he was a darling--the best, best darling in the +world?" cried the excited girl. "Oh, won't he have a _caed mille +afaltha;_ won't he? Elma, I am almost beside myself." + +"I don't know what you are talking about," said Elma. "What do you mean +by those queer words?" + +"_Caed mille afaltha_? Oh, they are the Irish for a hundred thousand +welcomes. We put them over our arches and everything when people are +coming home. Oh, they don't speak a half nor a quarter of what our +hearts are full of. Oh father, father, the joy--the joy your poor little +Kitty feels at the thought of seeing your darling face again!" + +That night again Kitty lay awake, although Elma slept. Strange thoughts, +strange and new, were coursing through the young girl's brain. +Everything had been a failure, and yet she felt bright and happy and +like her old self once more. + +"It is the thought of seeing father," she said to herself. "I was never +fit for England. England and its ways will never suit me, never, never; +but when I see father I shall be all right. Oh, to think that he is +really coming, and that Laurie is saved! I must, of course, tell father +everything; but he won't be angry with Laurie when I tell him the story +in my own way." + +Accordingly early the next morning Kitty dressed herself in the +fascinating leghorn hat and slipped on the pink muslin dress, and, with +a bunch of roses at her belt, sallied forth to the railway station. She +soon found the right platform, and paced up and down in a fever of +impatience waiting for the train. As she was doing so, flaunting her +pretty little person in a somewhat aggressive way and causing some +prim-looking ladies to gaze at her with anything but approval, a hand +was laid on her arm, and turning she saw, to her amazement, the +extremely indignant faces of Miss Sherrard and Miss Worrick. + +"Well, Kitty, after this!" said Miss Sherrard, + +"Oh, please don't scold me just now!" said Kitty, with a little gasp; +"wait until he comes." + +"Until who comes?" + +"Father. I am expecting him by this train." + +"I am relieved at that," said Miss Sherrard. "I shall have a painful +tale to tell him." + +"So you may, Miss Sherrard. You may tell him everything; but please let +me tell him my story first. You must, you shall; I insist." + +The girl's eyes were flashing; she was trembling all over. Just when her +happiness seemed to be at its height, for Miss Sherrard and Miss Worrick +to appear! + +"Oh, and there's the train!" she cried. "He will be here in a minute; +let me see him first. Oh, the train, is stopping, and there he is; I see +him at the very end; there he is with his white hair and--let me go, let +me go!" + +She rushed from Miss Sherrard's retaining arm and flew up the platform, +and a moment later the owner of the pink dress and leghorn hat was being +clasped tightly, tightly to the breast of the magnificent-looking old +gentleman, almost a king in his way, who had suddenly stepped on to the +platform. + +"Father, you'll protect me--they have come, they have followed me. You +will let me tell you my story first? Father! father! oh, feel how my +heart is beating!" + +"Why, Kitty, asthore; Kitty, Kitty, my own. What is it, Kit? I say, Kit, +what is wrong?" + +"Nothing, nothing now that you have come; but let me tell you my story +first." + +"Your story first--why, of course, Kit." + +"They are there; speak to them; tell them you will see them afterward. +We are staying at the Sign of the Red Doe; tell them that you will see +me first and then you will see them." + +"Introduce me to them, Kitty, and calm yourself. Come, Kitty, come." + +"Yes, father, yes; it is all right." + +Kitty's terrible excitement subsided; leaning on her father's arm, she +approached the platform where Miss Sherrard and Miss Worrick, both +looking rather confused, were standing. + +"This is my father, Miss Sherrard," said Kitty, introducing Dennis +Malone, who took off his hat with a grand sweep. + +"I am relieved to see you," began Miss Sherrard. + +"Pardon me one moment, madam," said Malone; "but Kitty here would like +to tell me her story first. You are her school-mistress, the lady with +whom I have had the pleasure of corresponding?" + +"I am, and I have a very, very painful tale to tell you." + +"You shall tell me your story afterward." + +Here the owner of Castle Malone caught sight of Miss Worrick, and gave +her a bow even more deferential than he had bestowed upon the +head-mistress. + +"I am sorry to put you off even for a few moments, ladies," he said; +"but you see this little girl, she--she must come first. However badly +she has behaved, she--she is my only girl, you understand, and I--I must +hear her story first. Will you meet us both within an hour at the Sign +of the Red Doe? Then everything can be explained." + +"I wonder if that dreadful girl is to go unpunished in the end," said +Miss Worrick to Miss Sherrard, as they both slowly went to the nearest +hotel to wait until the time arranged to meet Kitty and her father at +the Sign of the Red Doe." + +"It seems like it," said Miss Sherrard. "But what a splendid old man! +Perhaps after all it may be the best thing for Kitty Malone not to +punish her, Miss Worrick." + +"Oh, Miss Sherrard! I cannot approve of your very lax opinions. Surely +punishment for such terrible wrong-doing--" + +"Yes, she behaved badly, but not so badly as Elma, I think we must wait +to hear the whole story explained; at present we are more or less in the +dark." + +"And now, Kit, what is it?" said the squire, when he and his daughter +were ensconced in the little sitting-room at the Sign of the Red Doe. + +"Do you mind if I give you one of my real big hugs first?" said Kitty. + +"To be sure not, alanna--oh, acushla macree! it is like flowers in May +to see you again." + +"There! I am better now," said Kitty, after she had bestowed one of her +most violent hugs upon her father. "Let me sit on your knee and I will +tell you everything." + +At the best it was a sad story, a story full of wrong-doing, full of +impulse, full of passion; and although Kitty tried hard to make Elma's +part of it as light as possible, the squire's eyes blazed and a +thundering note came into his voice as he listened. + +"That's a bad girl, Kitty," he cried; "and you ought to have nothing to +do with her." + +"But that's exactly it, father--that's what I am coming to. If you +won't let me have anything to do with Elma, why--why, you must punish me +terribly. I want you to let me--to let me make Elma my real friend." + +"That sort of girl your friend? Not if I know it," said the squire. + +"But, please, father, do let me plead for her. I have done her injury, +and she--she has never had advantages like the rest of us." + +Then Kitty began to coax, and few, very few people could coax like this +Irish girl. Not only with her voice, but with her eyes, with a smile +here and a frown there, she set herself to bring old Squire Malone to +her way of thinking. And as always from the time she was a tiny child +she had been able to twist this old lion round her little finger, so she +twisted him now. + +"You have got to do it, father," she said at last. "You have got to +forgive Laurie, and you have got to forgive Elma, and----" + +"Bless the boy, it was just like his recklessness, Why didn't he come +and tell me? He wasn't afraid of his old father, was he?" + +"Well, father, you know you are very fierce when you like." + +"Tut! tut! Kitty, don't you begin to scold." + +"No; I won't--not if you yield to me. Full and free forgiveness for the +whole three of us; for your Kit----" + +"Bless you, child, I have forgiven you already." + +"Ay, didn't I know it--didn't I say he was a dear old thing? Now, +Laurie--you won't say a word to him?" + +"I'll give him a right good scolding." + +"Why, then, dad, your scolding never did anybody any harm; your bark is +worse than your bite, you know; but there will be no school in England +for him, that's what I mean." + +"Well, it doesn't seem to have succeeded with you, asthore." + +"No more it did. Why, it was breaking the heart in me entirely." + +"So you want to come back with me again?" + +"That I do, and never, never be a polished lady with manners to the +longest day of my life." + +"You want to be Wild Kitty still?" + +"Wild, wild, the wildest of Kittys to the end of the chapter." + +"And what will your aunts say?" + +"Never mind; what you say is the important thing." + +"It shall be as you please, Kit. I am sure I have missed you sore, very +sore." + +"And now, what about Elma?" + +"Yes; what do you want me to do for her?" + +"I want her to come back with me to Castle Malone for the rest of the +summer." + +"Oh, heart alive! child; but I don't think I could take to that sort of +girl." + +"Yes, you will, if I take to her. Now, dad, must I begin it all over +again?" + +"No, no; anything to please you, Kit." + +"And at the end of the summer, as you have plenty of money, and as I am +sure she has repented most bitterly will you send her to Girton?" + +"Oh, come, come; I make no promises." + +"But I know it is all right, and I am going to rush up to her and tell +her everything. Oh, and here come Miss Sherrard and Miss Worrick. You +shall see them without me." + +"I declare, upon my word, Kitty, you are the most extraordinary +creature. How am I to face the good ladies?" + +"Here they are, father. Please, Miss Sherrard, come in; father will see +you, and Miss Worrick too." + +Kitty flung open the door, and the head-mistress of Middleton School and +her subordinate found it closed behind them. They had a short interview +with Squire Malone--very short. It ended by Miss Sherrard and the squire +shaking hands most heartily. + +"You did your best for her, and I am awfully obliged to you," said the +squire. "But, after all, she is too wild for England; she had better +stay in her own land." + +"I believe you are right," said Miss Sherrard. + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Wild Kitty, by L. T. 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Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Wild Kitty + +Author: L. T. Meade + +Release Date: February, 2006 [EBook #9986] +[This file was first posted on November 5, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, WILD KITTY *** + + + + +E-text prepared by Kevin Handy, Dave Maddock, and the Project Gutenberg +Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + + + + + +WILD KITTY. + +BY L. T. MEADE + + + + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER I. Bessie, Alice, Gwin, and Elma + +CHAPTER II. The Blarney Stone + +CHAPTER III. Is that the Girl? + +CHAPTER IV. Tiffs all Round + +CHAPTER V. Incorrigible Kitty + +CHAPTER VI. The Tug-of-War + +CHAPTER VII. Elma + +CHAPTER VIII. The Little House in Constantine Road + +CHAPTER IX. The Head Mistress and the Cabbage-Rose + +CHAPTER X. Paddy Wheel-About + +CHAPTER XI. In Carrie's Bedroom + +CHAPTER XII. The "Spotted Leopard" + +CHAPTER XIII. Coventry + +CHAPTER XIV. The Lost Packet + +CHAPTER XV. Gwin Harley's Scheme + +CHAPTER XVI. Paddy Wheel-About's Old Coat + +CHAPTER XVII. "We Are Both in the Same Boat" + +CHAPTER XVIII. "I Cannot Help You" + +CHAPTER XIX. Kitty Tells the Truth + +CHAPTER XX. An Eye-Opener + +CHAPTER XXI. The Lady from Buckinghamshire + +CHAPTER XXII. Stunned and Cold + +CHAPTER XXIII. Stars and Moon, and God Behind + +CHAPTER XXIV. Sunshine Again + +CHAPTER XXV. Kitty "Go-Bragh" (Forever) + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +BESSIE, ALICE, GWIN, ELMA. + + +Bessie! Bessie! + +"Yes, mother," replied Bessie Challoner. "You'll be late for school, +child, if you are not quick." + +"Bessie!" shouted her father at the top of his voice from below stairs. +"Bessie; late as usual." + +"I am really going, father; I am just ready," was the eager reply. +Bessie caught up her sailor hat, shoved it carelessly over her mass of +thick hair, and searched frantically round her untidy bedroom for the +string bag which contained her schoolbooks. + +"Oh, Bessie, you'll get into a scrape," said Judy, one of her younger +sisters, dancing into the room. "Why, you are late. I hear the +schoolbell ringing; it will stop in a moment." + +"Don't worry me, Judy," cried Bessie. "Do you know where my bag is?" + +Judy ran into the middle of the room, turned round, and began to laugh +ecstatically. "Do you know where it is, you little good-for-nothing? +Have you put it hiding?" + +"Yes, yes, yes," screamed the child, jumping up and down in her joy. + +"Then, if you don't give it to me at once, I'll--" + +But Judy had dodged her and was out of the room. Up to the attic flew +the child, and after her dashed Bessie. The bag was found in the corner +of the linen-cupboard. Bessie aimed a frenzied blow at Judy, who once +again dodged her, then the schoolgirl ran downstairs and was out of the +house. + +"Bessie, for shame!" said her brother, who was standing smoking his +cigarette in a very lazy manner in the garden. "Why, you'll never get +full marks." + +"Don't," said Bessie. "I feel quite hunted between you all." + +She had got on the highroad now, and could walk away in peace. She was a +tall girl, somewhat bony-looking at present, with a face which showed +abundance of intellect, large dreamy eyes, a wide mouth, a flat nose, a +long chin. Bessie was certainly not at all a pretty girl; but, +notwithstanding this fact, there were few of all the pupils at Middleton +School who approached her in popularity. She was clever without being a +scrap conceited, and was extremely good-natured, doing her work for the +pleasure of doing it and not because she wanted to outstrip a +schoolfellow. She was conscientious too, and would have scorned to do a +mean or shabby thing; but she was hopelessly untidy, careless to a +fault, late for school half her days, getting into countless scrapes and +getting out of them as best she could--the butt of her class as well as +the favorite, always true to herself and indifferent to the censures or +the praise of her fellow-creatures. + +"Well, Bess, is that you? Do wait for me," called out a panting voice +in the distance. + +Late as she was, Bessie stopped. It was never her way to leave a +fellow-creature in the lurch. + +A girl with dancing eyes and rosy cheeks came panting and puffing round +the corner. + +"I just caught a sight of the red ribbon with which you tie your hair," +she said. "I am so glad you are late; I am too, and I am quite ashamed +of myself." + +"Why in the world should you be ashamed of yourself, Alice?" asked +Bessie. "I don't suppose you meant to be late." + +"Of course not; but I shall lose my mark for punctuality; and you know, +Bessie, I am feverishly anxious to get a move, and to--to win the +scholarship at the midsummer break-up." + +Bessie yawned slightly. + +"Come on, Alice," she said; "I am disgracefully late as usual, and we +need not make matters worse. I suppose we must wait in the hall now +until prayers are over." + +"It's too bad," said Alice. "I'll tell you afterward how it happened, +Bessie. I am glad you waited for me. They always scold you so much for +being late that they will not take so much notice of me. May I slip into +my place in form behind you?" + +"If you like," said, Bessie. + +They entered the great schoolhouse, turned down a long corridor, +deposited their hats and jackets on the pegs provided for the purpose, +and went into the schoolroom just when the pupils were filing into their +different classes. + +Both girls had marks against their names for unpunctuality. Alice +frowned and fidgeted, turned scarlet, glanced nervously at her +fellow-pupils, but Bessie took the matter with her wonted calm. Soon she +forgot all about it. She became absorbed in her different studies, each +one of which she had prepared with extreme attention. As she answered +question after question her great, full, dreamy eyes seemed to lighten +with hidden fire, her face lost its plainness, the intellect in it +transformed it. One or two other girls in the class watched her with a +slight degree of envy. + +Bessie was very high up in the school. As usual she quickly rose to the +head of the form; this position she kept without the slightest +difficulty during lesson after lesson. + +Alice, muddled already by that mark for unpunctuality, got through her +work badly; as Bessie rose in the class Alice went down. At the end of +the morning's work the two girls were far as the poles asunder. + +"I can't think how you do it," said Alice, coming up to Bessie during +recess, and linking her hand through her arm. "You never seem to mind +disgrace at all." + +"Of course I mind disgrace," answered Bessie. "Come out into the +playground, won't you Alice? We can't talk in here." + +They went out and began pacing up and down the wide quadrangle devoted +to the purpose. Other girls passed them two and two, each girl talking +to her special companion. + +"How very handsome Gwin Harley looks this morning," said Alice, pausing +in her grumbling to gaze at a slender and lovely girl who passed them, +walking with another dark-eyed, somewhat plain girl of the name of Elma +Lewis. + +"I wish she was not such friends with Elma," said Bessie. "I like Gwin +very much indeed; I suppose every one in the school does." + +"Catch Elma not making up to her," said Alice. "Why, you know Gwin is as +rich as ever she can be; she has a pony-carriage of her own. I cannot +make out why she comes to Middleton School." + +"Because it is the best school in the neighborhood," said Bessie +somewhat proudly. "It is not a question of money, nor of anything but +simply of learning; we learn better at Middleton School than anywhere +else; there are better teachers and--" + +"But such a rum lot of girls," said Alice. "Of course we all go in sets, +and our set is quite the nicest in the school; but all the same, I +wonder a rich man like Mr. Harley allows Gwin to come here." + +Gwin and Elma drew up at that moment in front of the other two. + +"Bessie," said Gwin, "I saw you carrying everything before you this +morning. But," she added hastily, "that is neither here nor there. I +shall never be a great learned genius like you, but I shall admire +geniuses all the same. Now, I want to say that Elma is coming to tea +with me this afternoon, and will you both come as well? We have a good +deal to talk over." + +Bessie's face lightened. + +"I should like it very much indeed," she said; "but you know I must get +through my studies first." + +"Oh, you won't take long over them." + +"Yes, but I shall," answered Bessie; "there is a very stiff piece of +German to translate this afternoon. I can manage French and mathematics +of course, and--" + +"Oh, don't begin to rehearse your different studies," said Gwin, holding +up her hand in a warning attitude. "I don't care in the least what you +learn, Bessie; I want you to come. Because," she added, "you are such an +honest creature." + +"Why should not I be honest?" said Bessie, opening her eyes wide. "I +have never had any temptation to be anything else." + +"My dear Bessie, you are too painfully matter-of-fact," said Elma. "Gwin +meant that your nature is transparent--it is a beautiful trait in any +character." + +"Well, Bessie, will you come or will you not?" interrupted Gwin. + +"Yes, I'll come. I'll manage it somehow," said Bessie. I can't resist +the temptation." + +"And you too, Alice?" said Gwin, turning to Alice Denvers, who was +watching Bessie with envious eyes. + +"I don't suppose mother will let me. I am ever so vexed," said Alice. + +"But why not, dear; you have nothing special to do to-day?" + +"Well, I had a bad mark for unpunctuality, and--" + +"What does that signify?" + +"But listen; I have gone down several places in class. Father and mother +are so particular; they seem to think my whole future life depends upon +my position in school. Of course I know we are not very rich, like +you--" Here she flushed and hesitated. + +Gwin Harley flushed also. + +"When you talk like that," she said, "I feel quite ashamed of being well +off. I often long to be poor like--like dear little Elma here." As she +spoke she patted her somewhat squat little companion on her arm. "But +never mind, girls; I am not one of those who intend to throw away all my +money; that is one reason why I want to have a good talk this afternoon. +You must come, Alice; you simply must." + +"But there is another reason," said Alice. "Kitty Malone is coming +to-day." + +"Kitty Malone! Who in the name of fortune is she?" + +"Oh, a wild Irish girl." + +"Truly wild, I should think, with that name. 'Kitty Malone, ohone!' I +seem to hear the refrain somewhere now. Isn't there a song called 'Kitty +Malone'?" + +"There is a song called 'The Widow Malone,'" said Bessie; "don't you +know it? You read all about it in 'Harry Lorrequer.'" + +"But who is Kitty Malone, Alice?" + +"I say a wild Irish girl." + +"And what has she got to do with you?" + +"She is coming to board with us. She is going to join the school, and +mother is to have the charge of her. A precious bore I shall find it." + +"When did you say she was coming?" asked Gwin eagerly. + +"I expect she is at home by now; she was to arrive this morning." + +"Delightful!" said Gwin, clapping her hands, "she shall come too. I want +beyond anything to become acquainted with a real aborigine, and of +course any girl called Kitty Malone hailing from the sister-isle must +belong to that species. Bring the wild Irish girl with you by all means, +Alice; and now, as you have no manner of excuse, I'll say ta-ta for the +present." She kissed her pretty hand lightly to the two girls, and went +on her way, once more accompanied by her faithful satellite, Elma. + +"Isn't she fascinating?" said Alice; "aren't you quite in love with her, +Bessie?" + +"Dear me, no," answered Bessie Challoner. "I never fall in love in that +sort of headlong fashion; but all the same," she added, "I admire Gwin +very much, only I do wish she would not take up with Elma." + +"So do I," said Alice. + +"It was very kind of her to ask us," continued Bessie, "and I for one +shall be delighted to go. I have not the least doubt that in a big house +of that sort they have 'Household Encyclopaedia,' and I want to look up +the article on magnetic iron ore." + +"Oh, what in the world for?" cried Alice. + +"I am interested in magnets, and--but there, Alice why should I worry +you with the sort of things that delight me. I am going, and that is all +right. You will be sure to come too; won't you Alice?" + +"Yes, I must manage it somehow; and as Gwin has asked Kitty Malone it +won't make it quite so difficult. I know mother would not let me leave +Kitty this afternoon, for it is, from the money point of view, a great +thing for us her coming. Her people are quite well off, although they +are Irish. They live in an old castle on the coast of Donegal, and Kitty +has never been out of the country in which she was born. They are paying +mother very well to receive her, and mother is ever so pleased. Of +course it's horrid for me for she will be my companion morning, noon, +and night; we are even to sleep in the same room. It was that that made +me late for school this morning, and got me that horrid, horrid mark for +unpunctuality." + +"But why? I don't understand," said Bessie. + +"Well, you see, I put it off until the last minute. I know it was all my +fault; but I would not empty the cupboard in the corner of the room, +although mother told me to do so at intervals for the past week. Well, +mother came in this morning and found it choke full--you know the sort +of thing, full to bursting, so that the door wouldn't shut--and she said +that I should empty it before I went to school. I told her I should be +late, and mother said it was a just punishment for me. Didn't I bless +Kitty Malone! But of course I set to work, and I scrambled out the +things somehow. Of course I am in hot water, and father is so terribly +particular; but I will try and come. Yes, I'll try and come, and I'll +bring Kitty." + +"Very well; if you are going we may as well go together," said Bessie. +"Gwin never mentioned the hour she had tea; but I suppose if we are at +Harley Grove by five o'clock it will do." + +"Yes, I should think so," said Alice in a dubious voice. "It is a pity +she did not mention the hour. There she is still hobnobbing with Elma. +I'll just run across the quadrangle and ask her." + +Alice left her companion, obtained the necessary information from Gwin, +and came back again. "She says if we are with her sharp at five it will +do quite well, and we are to stay until nine o'clock, then we can all go +home together." + +"Delicious!" said Bessie. "I love being out late. I hope there will be a +moon, and that there won't be many clouds in the sky, for I want to +examine the position of some of the planets. Did I tell you, Alice, that +Uncle John has a telescope through which I can see the asteroids?" + +"What on earth are they?" cried Alice, yawning as she spoke. + +"Oh, the very small planets." + +"Then, my dear, I hope you will see them. But really, Bessie, I can't +run round nature as you do--your intellect is quite overpowering; one +moment you want to get up information with regard to magnetic iron ore, +and the next you confound me with some awful observation about +asteroids. Good-by, Bessie; good-by. I shall be late for dinner, and +then no chance of going to the fair Gwin's this afternoon." + +"Well, if you do go, call for me," shouted Bessie after her; "I'll wait +for you until half-past four, then I'll start off by myself." + +"Yes, yes, I'll come if I can, and bring Kitty also if I can." + +"Be sure you don't fail. I'll look out for you." + +Alice put wings to her feet and set off running down the dusty road, and +Bessie more soberly returned home. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +THE BLARNEY STONE. + + +Alice's home was nearly half a mile from the school. It was a big, +commonplace suburban house standing at a corner. It had a small garden +in front and a larger one at the back; but neither at front nor back +were the gardens tidily kept. They were downtrodden by the constant +pressure of many feet, and were further ornamented at intervals by sheds +and kennels, for Fred and Philip Denvers were devoted to all sorts of +pets; there was also a rabbit-run at one end, and a little railed-off +place where Mrs. Denvers tried to keep fowls. + +Alice at intervals had sighed for a tennis lawn; but whenever she dared +to mention the idea she was hooted by her big brothers, who did not want +the garden to be made in the least bit, as they expressed it, +ornamental. + +"But tennis isn't ornamental!" said Alice. + +"Beastly game," remarked Fred. "Only meant for girls; just to give them +an opportunity of hobnobbing together, and talking gossip, and making up +mischief." + +"You talk in the most ridiculous, unfair way," said Alice in +indignation; but she did not dare to mention the subject of the tennis +court again, and the boys still continued to build fresh sheds and +introduce new animals. + +On this occasion, as Alice walked up to the house, she was met by Fred, +who ran out to meet her in some excitement. + +"I say, Alice," he cried, "she's come, and she is a rum 'un!" + +"Who has come?" asked Alice; "not--not Kitty Malone?" + +"No one else, at your service, Kitty Malone, ohone!" cried Fred. "And +oh! isn't she Irish! You come along and see her. I never saw anything +like her before." + +"Why, Fred, I didn't think you cared for girls." + +"Nor do I as a rule, but this one--oh! I say she is a jolly sort. Why +she's been down in the kitchen and up in the attics--she knows every one +in the house already; and do you know what she is doing now--sitting in +the drawing-room with the window wide open, grinning down at you, and +she has got Pointer in her arms. You know Pointer, dirty old +fellow!--well, she caught him up the moment she came in, and insisted on +bringing him upstairs, and he has taken to her as if he had known her +ever since he was a puppy. Mean of him, isn't it; but I declare I don't +blame him. Oh! there you are, Kitty Malone." Fred raised his laughing +face to encounter another as laughing, a face at that moment grinning +from ear to ear. + +"Are you Alice?" called a voice. "Are you the one I am to sleep with? +Just say, call out loud; don't mind if you shout, because I'm accustomed +to that sort of thing." + +"Is this Kitty Malone?" thought Alice. She liked frank, jolly girls; +but she was not quite prepared for Kitty. + +She entered the house, flung down her bag of books, and ran upstairs to +the drawing-room. The next moment she found herself in the firm embrace +of a girl a little taller than herself, a slim, very pretty, very +untidy, very overdressed girl. + +"Here I am and welcome to yourself," said Kitty. "I was so vexed you +were not here to greet me; but bless you, my dear, I'm quite +comfortable. No, I'm not a bit tired--you haven't asked me, by the way, +but I suppose you mean to. I had a spiffin' journey. Sick! not I. I'm +never seasick, and I enjoyed the train. I made friends with such a dear +old gentleman and with two boys. I nearly kissed the boys when I was +leaving them, but I didn't quite. Is that you, Fred? Come along in now +and let us be jolly together. Why, Alice, how stiff you are; you have +not opened your lips yet." + +"I have not had an opportunity," answered Alice. "You do talk such a +lot, Kitty." + +"Do I? I expect we all do in Old Ireland. Bless her! she's a dear old +country, and I'm as sorry as anybody to say good-by to her. But, all the +same, I am glad to see England (poky, stiff sort of place it seems). Say +now, Alice, do you like my dress? It was made in Dublin; it's the height +of the fashion I am told." + +"It's very showy," said Alice. + +"Do you think so? Well, you are plainly dressed; nothing but that brown +merino. And--my dear, I thought they were always dressed up to the nines +near London. This place is near London, isn't it?" + +"Yes, a few miles off. Oh, of course your dress is very nice; but now I +must get ready for dinner." + +"Oh! and ain't I peckish?" said Kitty, clapping her hands and winking +broadly at Fred. + +Alice turned to leave the room. + +"We may as well go together," said Kitty, following her and slipping her +hand through her arm. "Do you know," she said, "when I first came to the +house I could scarcely breathe. Why, it's nothing but a nutshell. I +never saw such a deeny dawn of a place in the whole course of my life. +How many of you live here?" + +"Father and mother, and the two boys and I," answered Alice. + +"And you are the only girl?" + +"Yes." + +"Now come to the window and let me have a good squint at you." As Kitty +spoke she dragged Alice forward, put her facing the light, and stood +herself with her back to it. She began to make a careful scrutiny, +calling out her remarks aloud: "Eyes passable, forehead so-so, mouth +pretty well, complexion not bad for England, hair--" + +"Oh, I say, Kitty, I can't quite stand this," said Alice. "Are those +your manners in Ireland? What a wild country it must be!" + +"Dear, darling, jolly old place!" said Kitty, dancing up and down. + +"And you really give me to understand that people make remarks on one +another in that sort of fashion?" said Alice, darting away from her +companion and pouring some water into a basin to wash her hands. + +"Well, yes, love, they do when they like, and they don't when they +don't like. We are free and easy folk, I can tell you, and we have a gay +time. I'll tell you all about father and the old castle, and the dogs, +and the cows, and the cats, and the rabbits, and the mice when we have a +spare moment. That brother of yours, Fred, is not half a bad old chap; +and I saw a nice, curly-headed little gossoon coming in just now with +his books under his arm. What's his name?" + +"Oh, you mean Philip. Yes, he's the youngest; he's well enough if you +don't spoil him, Kitty." + +"I won't spoil him, bless his heart," said Kitty; "but of course I'll +make friends with him. I couldn't live without boys. There are two at +home, Pat and Laurence; and, oh! I shall miss Laurie, dear old chap! I +must not think of him." Kitty's face underwent a swift change, the +brightness went out of it just as if a heavy cloud had swept away the +sun; the big, very handsome dark-blue eyes, so dark as to be almost +black, grew full of sudden tears; the exquisitely curved lips trembled; +she turned her head aside and looked out of the window. + +At that moment it seemed to Alice that she saw beneath Kitty's wild, +eccentric manners a heart of gold. She only caught a glimpse of it, for +the next moment the girl was chatting away in the most light, frivolous, +extraordinary style. The dinner-bell sounded through the house, and the +pair went down to dinner. + +"I'd like to sit near you, please, Mr. Denvers," said Kitty. + +Philip's place was always near his father; this had been a custom ever +since he had been a baby. Kitty now ensconced herself in the little +boy's chair. + +"Am I taking anybody's seat?" she asked, looking up. + +"Only mine," said Phil. + +"Never mind, little gossoon; you shall have it to-morrow. I want to sit +near Mr. Denvers because I expect he can tell me a good many things I +don't understand." + +"You must allow me to eat my dinner, Miss Malone. You see I have a good +deal of carving to do, and besides I am a busy man," said Mr. Denvers in +a good-humored voice, for it was difficult to resist the roguish glances +of Kitty's eyes, and the sort of affectionate way in which she cuddled +up to her host's side. + +"Oh, I won't talk _over_ much," she said, glancing with her flashing +eyes round at the entire party. "But you see I am quite a stranger; and, +oh my! the place does seem lonely. You are all so stiff, I cannot quite +understand it. Is it the English fashion, please, Mr. Denvers?" + +"Well, you see," answered Mrs. Denvers from the other end of the table, +"we don't know you yet." + +"But I am sure all the same we shall be very good friends," said Mr. +Denvers. "May I give you a glass of wine?" + +"Wine! Bless you, I'm a teetotaller," said Kitty. "Why, it isn't habits +of intoxication you'll be putting into me. I never take anything but +water, or milk when I can get it; and it isn't Miss Malone you're going +to call me is it, for if it is I tell you frankly that I'll die +entirely. I must be Kitty from this moment, or Kitty Malone, or anything +of that sort, but Kitty something it must be. Now, is it settled fair +and square, Kitty shall I be? Here's my hand on my heart; I'll die if +I'm called Miss Malone!" + +Fred burst into roars of laughter. + +"I say," he cried, "what an extraordinary girl you are!" + +"Well, and so are you an extraordinary boy," said Kitty. "Oh, dear me, I +am hungry! Do you mind handing me over the potatoes? Why, you don't mean +to say you peel 'em. I never heard of such a thing! Why don't you have +them in their jackets?" + +"Potatoes are generally mashed or peeled or something of that sort in +England," said Mr. Denvers. "I see, Kitty--" he added. + +"Ah! bless you now for calling me that! What is it you want to say, dear +Mr. Denvers?" + +"I see we shall have a good deal to teach you," he said, and then he too +burst into a fit of laughter, and so the merry, somewhat rollicking meal +proceeded. + +Alice alone would not succumb to the fascinations of the Irish maiden. +She sat holding herself somewhat stiff, feeling a good deal disgusted, +wondering what Bessie Challoner would say, what Gwin Harley would think, +anticipating in advance Elma's sneers. + +Kitty, however, subjugated Mr. and Mrs. Denvers and the two boys +completely. As to Pointer, he would not leave her side; as her long, +white, taper fingers touched the top of his grizzled head, he looked at +her with eyes of unutterable love. + +"What have you done to the dog?" said Fred at last. He felt almost +afraid, in his great admiration of the bewitching stranger. + +"Only given him a taste of blarney," was the reply. "Tell me now, Fred, +were you ever in Ireland?" + +"No," answered Fred. + +"Ah! I thought as much. If you had been, and if you had kissed the +Blarney Stone, why then, it's nothing could withstand you." + +"What is the Blarney Stone?" asked Fred. + +"Don't you know that much? Why you are an ignoramus out and out. Well, +I'll tell you. It's a stone on Blarney Castle, set low down in the wall, +five or six feet from the top; and to kiss it, why that is no easy +matter, for you have to be held by your heels and let hang over the +wall; and if you can get some one to hold you tight--very tight, +mind--you slide down and you reach the stone and you kiss it, and from +that moment--oh glory! but you carry everything before you. There's not +a man, a woman, nor a child, no, nor a beastie either, that can resist +you. You bewitch 'em." + +"I have no doubt, Kitty, you kissed the stone," said Mr. Denvers. + +"Why then, it's yes, sir," she answered raising her big eyes and then +dropping them again with an inimitable expression. + +"What a queer little girl you are!" he said. "You are very amusing; but +I think we must tame you a bit." + +"You won't do that, sir. They call me the wild Irish girl at home, and +the wild Irish girl I'll be to the end of the chapter. If it's schooling +I want, why, I'll have it, but taming, no thank you." + +Kitty jumped from her seat and began to dance a sort of improvised Irish +jig about the room. + +"Do you know the jig?" she said, dancing up to Fred as she spoke. + +"No," he answered; "are you trying it on now?" + +"Yes; jump up, my hearty, and I'll teach you in a twinkling. Here, watch +me; point your toes so, turn round--pirouette as we call it. Now, then, +put your hand on your hip, courtesy to me, and come back again. That's +how it's done. Oh, Fred, I'll soon have you as beautiful a broth of a +boy as if you were born in Old Ireland." + +"Fred, my son, it is time for you to go back to college," said his +father. "Kitty, we are very pleased to have you here, and you are a very +amusing girl; but you know life is not all play." + +Kitty pulled a long face. Fred darted a laughing glance at her, and ran +off. Kitty and Alice at last found themselves alone. + +"You're disapproving of me a good bit, aren't you, Alice?" said Kitty, +going up to the other girl and taking both her hands in hers. + +"Well, I think you are very odd," said Alice. + +"And do you want me to be quite sober and tame, and to have all the +spirit knocked out me, alanna?" + +"No; but we don't do exactly as you do in this country." + +"And you think you'll tame me into your cut-and-dry pattern?" + +"I don't know about that. I don't understand you, Kitty." + +"You will after a bit, Alice. It's here I am for sure, and a gray sort +of land it is! Why, the sun doesn't even shine!" + +"Oh, doesn't it," said Alice angrily. "It's ridiculous to talk in that +strain about this country. We have much finer weather than you have in +Ireland." + +"Don't be cross, darling; I mean it metaphorically. You see we live a +gay life over there, we have a joke about everything, and the wit that +runs out of our mouths--why, it's like flashes of lightning. Oh, we have +a good time in the old country, and when you come and stay with me at +Castle Malone you'll say so for yourself. Now, then, what do you want to +do this afternoon?" + +"I must look over my lessons first." + +"Lessons--how many?" + +"A good few. You see of course I want to get on." + +"By the way, Alice," said Mrs. Denvers, who came into the room at that +moment, "I am afraid you had a bad mark for unpunctuality this morning." + +"Yes, mother, that is so." + +"And what is your place in form?" + +"I went down two or three places, mother." + +"I am sorry to hear it; your father will be very much annoyed." + +"I'll try and make up for it to-morrow, mother. And, mother, Gwin Harley +has asked me to go to tea with her this afternoon--may I?" + +"I don't see how you can. There is Kitty Malone." + +"But she has asked Kitty too." + +"What's that?" asked Kitty, bounding forward. "A tea party, bless you?" + +"You have been asked to tea at Harley Grove. Mother, may we go? I think +Kitty would enjoy it." + +"If you are sure you are not too tired, Kitty; you have had a long +journey," said Mrs. Denvers. + +"I'm not a scrap tired," said Kitty. "I'm as gay as a lark and as fresh +as a daisy. I hope it's rather a big swell party, for I have got some +awfully pretty dresses. I want to make myself look smart. You can tell +me how they manage these sort of things in England. I'm all agog to go." + +"Yes, Alice, you may go," said Mrs. Denvers. "But Kitty, my dear, if I +were you I would let them down lightly." + +"What do you mean, dear Mrs. Denvers?" + +"Don't startle them too much. They are not accustomed to such--such +frankness as you are disposed to give." + +"I'll bewitch 'em," said Kitty, beginning again to dance with light +fantastic measure up and down the room. "I'll bewitch 'em one and all. I +have made up my mind. I didn't kiss the Blarney Stone for nothing!" + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +IS THAT THE GIRL? + + +Kitty and Alice went up to their bedroom, where Kitty began to unpack +her trunks and toss her dresses about--they were all new and most of +them were gay. She had scarcely a quiet-looking dress in the entire +collection. + +"What will you do with those?" said Alice, who saw nothing to admire in +the fantastic clothes, and much to condemn. Alice had not the smallest +love for dress, and at this period of her life she considered any pains +taken over clothes a sheer waste of time. + +"But don't you like them?" said Kitty. "I thought girls loved pretty +dress. Aunt Honora says so, and so did Aunt Bridget when she came to see +us at Castle Malone a month ago. When she heard I was going to England +she said: 'Why, then, my dear Kitty, you must titivate up. It will never +do for them to see you not looking as bright as a sunbeam and as gay as +a cricket. It's colors you'll want, Kitty, and rich materials, and +spangles, and jewels, and beads, and all the other fal-lals.' And father +said to Aunt Bridget: + +"'Why then, now, Biddy,' said he, 'you just get what's right for the +child, for she hasn't a notion, and no more have I, what's worn in that +foreign place England.' + +"So Aunt Bridget said: 'A wink's as good as a word,' and I'll dress her +up in dashing style!' So she took the measure of my chest, and the round +of my waist, and the length of my skirt, and she saw how many inches I +wanted in the sleeve, and she said: 'You leave the rest to me, Kitty.' +And of course I did, and in three weeks' time down came a trunk that +would make your eyes shine even to look within it. Oh! wasn't it just +the darling entirely! Here's one of the dresses. Now, what do you think +of that?" + +As Kitty spoke she pulled out a pink nun's-veiling, made up with +innumerable ruffles and frills and laces and embroidery, a really very +pretty dress for quite a gay party, but totally unsuitable for a +schoolgirl of Kitty Malone's age. + +"Why, it's a long dress?" said Alice. "How old are you, Kitty?" + +"It's fifteen I'll be my next birthday, darling. Well, and is there +anything wrong about fifteen? I always thought it was a jewel of an +age." + +"Yes, but this dress is long; why, there's a train to it!" + +"Oh, mercy me! so there is," said Kitty. "To tell you the truth, I never +even tried on the skirt, I was so bamboozled and overexcited with the +others. A train to be sure! Oh, won't I bewitch 'em entirely. Let me try +it on, darling. Have you got a long looking-glass anywhere?" + +"Not in this room," answered Alice; "it is not necessary." + +"Not necessary? Well, now, I should say it's the one thing you ought to +have in every room, a long looking-glass that you can see yourself in +from top to toe. Why, half your elegance is lost if you cannot see how +you look your own self. Is there one in any other room?" + +"In mother's dressing-room, I think." + +"And where's that room situated, my jewel?" asked Kitty. + +"Oh, at the other end of the passage; but really, Kitty--" + +Kitty, however, was off. Alice stayed in her room, too disgusted to +follow her. + +"Something must be done to put a stop to this," she thought. "Of course, +mother won't keep a girl of that sort. Why, she's a regular wild Indian; +I shall be ashamed to take her out this afternoon." + +But at that moment a high voice, accompanied by peals of laughter, was +heard shouting for Alice. + +"Alice, mavourneen, come along this minute! Alice, come quick! quick! +Why, it's enthralling I am! You never saw anything like me before, did +you? Oh, the Blarney Stone, what it has done for me. Come, Alice, come, +come quick!" + +"What can be the matter?" called Mrs. Denvers from downstairs. "Has +anything happened?" + +"Oh, it's only me, dear Mrs. Denvers. Do come up this minute, my dear +ducky woman, and see me. I found a dress with a train to it in my trunk, +a new dress from Dublin, and I'm in it, and beautiful I look. Come up +and see me. I'm gazing at myself in your glass. I never saw anything so +lovely in the whole course of my life." + +Mrs. Denvers and Alice now both appeared upon the scene. Kitty in her +new dress, with a train nearly a foot on the ground, was stepping +backward and forward before the long glass in Mrs. Denvers' wardrobe. +Her eyes were flashing with merriment and delight. Her small arched feet +were dancing a _pas de seul_ in and out of the many flounces which +befrilled the end of the pink dress. + +"Well, do you like it?" called Kitty. "How do you think I look? Did you +ever see anybody more elegant in all your born days? Oh, if only the +dear old dad could see me! I feel as if I must kiss myself." Here she +commenced blowing kisses vigorously at the gay figure reflected in the +glass. + +"Come, Kitty," said Mrs. Denvers, "you are not going out in that dress." + +"And why not, my dear Mrs. Denvers? Why shouldn't I go out and captivate +the natives? That's what a pretty girl is made for." + +"Not in this country," said Mrs. Denvers in a somewhat severe voice. "It +cannot be done; Kitty, you are much too young to wear a dress of that +sort. While you are with me you must expect to be guided by my taste and +wishes." + +"But, dear Mrs. Denvers, Aunt Bridget ordered it." + +"Well, of course, dear, you can wear it at Castle Malone, but not +here--at least, not out of doors. Yes, my child, it is a very pretty +dress; but I do understand what is right for girls to appear in. You +must have something quieter, Kitty." + +"Then come along and choose for me," said Kitty, who was as good-natured +as she was high-spirited and volatile. "Come straight and choose, for +Alice, poor child, is troubled with the sulks." + +"What do you mean?" said Alice indignantly. + +"But isn't it true, darling; you have such a frown between your brows, +and it doesn't improve you. There, cheer up, Alice, honey! Why, it's the +best of friends I want to be with you; but you don't like me, not a bit. +I'll win you yet, Alice, aroon! But at the present moment you're saying +in your heart: 'What a nasty, forward, ill-bred girl that is, and I am +ashamed, that I am, that my schoolfellows should see me with the likes +of her.'" + +"Come, come, Kitty, no more of this," said Mrs. Denvers. "If you are +going out you have no time to lose. Yes, let me see your wardrobe. I +think this dark-blue dress is the best." + +"But you are not expecting me to go out in the open air without a body!" +said Kitty, "and there's nothing but a skirt to this. I suppose I may +wear one of my pretty blouses?" + +"Yes; that skirt and a nice blouse will do. Now then, get ready, both of +you, as quickly as you can. Kitty, remember I expect your things to be +put away tidily." + +"To be sure, ma'am. Why, then, it would be a shame to spoil all these +pretty garments. I'll put them away in a jiffy, and come down looking as +neat as a new pin." + +Alice, who had brushed out her hair, put on a clean collar and a pair of +cuffs, was now standing waiting for her friend. + +"Look here," she said suddenly, "will you be long putting away your +things and dressing?" + +"Not very long, darling; but I must curl my fringe over again." + +"I wish you wouldn't wear a fringe, Kitty; none of the nice girls do at +the school." + +"Is it give up my fringe I would?" answered Kitty. + +"What a show I'd be! Why, look at my forehead, it's too high for the +lines of pure beauty. Now, when the fringe comes down just to here, why, +it's perfect. Aunt Bridget said it was, and she's a rare judge, I can +tell you. She was a beauty in her youth, one of the Dublin beauties; and +you can't go to any city for fairer women than are to be found in +Dublin. I tell you what it is, Alice, I see you are in a flurry to be +off. Can I overtake you?" + +"You can," said Alice suddenly. "You can come to me at Bessie +Challoner's house." + +"Bessie Challoner!--what a pretty name!--Challoner! I like that!" +answered Kitty, looking thoughtful. "And where's her house, aroon? What +part of the neighborhood is it situated in?" + +"Come here to the window and I'll show you. When you leave this house +you turn to the right and walk straight on until you come to Cherry +Lodge--that's the name of the house. Bessie and I will be waiting for +you." + +"Well, then, off you go, and I won't keep you many minutes." + +Alice ran out of the room. She found her mother waiting for her +downstairs. + +"Oh, mother," said Alice, "she's too dreadful." + +"Come now, no whispering about me behind my back," called a gay voice +over the stairs. "I thought it would be something of that sort. That's +not fair--out with your remarks in front of me, and nothing behind." + +"Kitty, Kitty, go back and dress, you incorrigible child!" called Mrs. +Denvers. + +"Mother!" said Alice. + +"My dear Alice," said her mother, "you will soon learn to like that poor +child. She has a great deal that is good in her, and then she is so +pretty." + +"Pretty?" muttered Alice. "Oh, I see you're bewitched like the rest of +them." + +She left the house, feeling more uncomfortable, depressed, and angry +than she had done for several years. + +Mr. Denvers was a lawyer, and made a fairly good income; but his large +family and the education of his boys had strained his resources to such +an extent that he was very glad to accept the liberal sum which Kitty's +father was paying for her. Alice knew all about this, and at first was +more than willing to help her family in every way in her power. She did +not murmur at all when she was asked to give up half of her room to the +Irish girl. She was quite willing to take her under her patronage, to +show her round, to try to get friends for her among her own +schoolfellows--in short, to make her happy. But then Alice had never +pictured any one in the least like Kitty Malone. She had imagined a +somewhat plain, shy, awkward girl, who would lean upon her, who would +give her unbounded affection, and follow her lead in everything. Now, +this sparkling, racy, daring Kitty was by no means to her mind. There +was not the least doubt that Kitty would not be guided by anybody, that +she would never play second fiddle, and there was also a dreadful fear +down deep in poor Alice's heart that she would fascinate her school +fellows instead of disgusting them, and that Alice's own dearest friends +would leave her in favor of the stranger. + +She walked very slowly, therefore, a frown between her brows, discontent +and jealousy in her heart. + +Bessie was waiting for her at the gate. + +"Why, Alice," called out Bessie, "how late you are. We shan't get to +Harley Grove by five o'clock." + +"I can't help being late; it is a blessing you see me now," answered +Alice. "I wonder you waited for me, Bessie." + +"Well, my dear," answered Bessie, "I would much rather walk with you +than take a solitary ramble by myself. I thought," she added, "you were +going to bring that new Irish girl with you. Has she come?" + +"Has she not come?" answered Alice. "Oh, Bessie, Bessie, it is because +of her I am late. Oh, Bessie, she is quite too dreadful." + +"How so?" asked Bessie. + +"She is the most extraordinary, wild, reckless, absolutely unladylike, +vulgar person I ever came across in the whole course of my life." + +"What a lot of adjectives!" laughed Bessie. "I shall be quite curious to +see her; from your description she must be a monster." + +"She is a monster, a human monster," answered Alice; "and the worst of +it is, Bessie, that in some extraordinary way she has fascinated both +father and mother, and even Fred--Fred, who hates girls as a rule; they +are all so taken up with this blessed Kitty Malone that they don't mind +her perfectly savage manners. I can tell you I am quite miserable about +it." + +"Poor Alice," answered Bessie in a sympathetic tone. "I suppose then, +dear, she is not coming with us?" + +"Oh, yes, she is; she is following us. She could not find anything quiet +enough to put on." + +"Quiet enough to put on! What do you mean?" + +"Oh, my dear, her wardrobe is beyond description. She absolutely wanted +to come to poor Gwin's quiet little tea party in a dress fit for a ball, +flounced and frilled and laced and ribboned, and with a train to it, +absolutely a train, although she is not fifteen yet." + +Bessie could not help laughing. "I am sorry she is fond of dress," she +answered; "I can't bear that sort of girl." + +"Oh, you'll positively loathe her, Bessie. I quite pity you at the +thought of having to walk with her this afternoon." + +"My dear Alice, we must make the best of it," answered Bessie, "and I +don't suppose she will quite kill me; she will be amusing at any rate." + +"Amusing enough to those who have not got to live with her day and +night," answered Alice in a very discontented voice. "Oh, and here she +comes," she added; "and, look, she is running and racing down the road +and waving her hands to us. Oh, Bessie, it is intolerable! Don't you +pity me?" + +"What! is that the girl?" cried Bessie. "How very--" + +"How very what?" asked Alice. + +"How very pretty she is!" + +"Pretty," said Alice in a tone of such withering scorn that Bessie could +not help gazing at her friend in astonishment. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +TIFFS ALL AROUND. + + +Kitty's dark-blue skirt was all that was correct and proper; it reached +just to her ankles, and her remarkably small and beautifully-shaped feet +were encased in the neatest possible tan boots. But the blouse of light +pink silk, all bedizened with bunches of ribbons and lappets of lace, +was in Alice's eyes almost as painfully unsuitable as the trained skirt. +Kitty wore a little close-fitting cap of dark-blue velvet on her head. +Her hair, of the softest, cloudiest black, true Irish hair, was piled up +in a thick mass behind; in front it waved and curled round her white +forehead. Kitty was very tall, and, child as she still was in years, had +a more formed figure than most girls of her age. She was drawing on her +tan gloves now, and unfurling a parasol of tussore silk with a heavy +lace fall. + +"I do hope I'm smart enough," she said, panting slightly as she spoke. +"Is this one of your schoolfellows?" + +"Yes; my friend, Miss Challoner." + +"Haven't you got a Christian name?" asked Kitty, staring frankly with +her wide-open eyes at Alice's friend. + +"Bessie is my name," answered Bessie Challoner. + +"Do you mind my calling it to you? I like Challoner awfully, and if I +were to say Challoner without the Miss it might do, but Miss is so +stiff. I hope I may be Kitty to you, and then you won't object to being +Bessie to me." + +"Not a bit," answered Bessie heartily; "but we are a little late, and +had better walk on as fast as we can." + +Gwin Harley lived in a beautiful house about two miles away, and the +girls turned down a path which led across some fields in the direction +of Harley Grove. The time of year was toward the end of May, and the +weather was perfect. + +Kitty, who had been silent for a time, now stood in the middle of the +field, threw both her hands to her sides, let her parasol drop on the +ground, and opened her mouth wide. + +"Have you gone quite mad?" asked Alice in a severe tone. + +"Mad is it?" said Kitty; "not I. I am taking in some of the air." Here +she began to breathe very deeply and with considerable noise. "Why, my +ducky girls, the pair of you, I was fairly suffocated in that bandbox of +a house; now the breeze here is fine and fresh, and I want to fill my +lungs. Is there any objection?" + +"Oh, none I am sure," answered Bessie; "but you really did look most +extraordinary." + +"I am glad no one was passing at the moment," said Alice. "What would +they have thought?" + +"Does it matter what they think?" asked Kitty. "We never mind what +anyone thinks of us in Ireland. Ah, the dear old place; how I pine for +it! There now, my lungs are full, and we can go on again." + +She picked up her parasol and began to stride forward. + +"Isn't she a horror?" whispered Alice to Bessie. + +"Hush!" answered Bessie; "she only does it to amuse us. The thing is to +take very little notice; we'll soon tame her down." + +"Is it taming me you're after?" called back Kitty. "Well, then, you'll +never do that, for I come of a wild lot, and I have always been called +Wild Kitty from the moment I could speak. But there's no harm in me, not +a bit. Now, then, I'll walk as sober as you please. What shall we talk +about?" + +"Is there anything you would like to ask us?" said Bessie. + +"I am sure then, darling, I don't think there is. Wouldn't you like to +ask me some questions? I'm as open as day. I'll lay bare all the +thoughts of my secret soul to the pair of you, if you care to hear +them." + +"I don't know that we do," said Bessie. "You see we have got to make +your acquaintance yet, Kitty." + +"Ah, now it's nice of you to call me Kitty, and that's a very pretty +little voice you have; soft and winning. How is it you say some of those +words? I can't get my tongue round them; but I dare say I will after a +bit." + +"Would you like to know what kind of place we are going to?" asked +Bessie. + +"Oh, I'll wait until I get there," answered Kitty. "I suppose it's like +all other places; there's a house and some girls; and if we are asked to +tea, why we'll get tea, and they'll think me no end of an oddity, and +I'll think them a lot of muffs; but that don't matter. Oh, my dears, if +you only saw Old Ireland, and if you only knew the free life we have +there, and the beautiful air that comes blowing in from the broad +Atlantic. Why, it's smothered I'll be in this queer place. I doubt if +I'll stay long. I'll write to father, and ask him to take me back +again." + +"I would if I were you," said Alice stoutly. + +"Now, what do you mean by that, 'Alice, aroon?'" + +"I mean," said Alice, who had now almost lost control over her temper, +"that if you go on as you have done since you came here, we shall none +of us like you, and I for one shall be delighted when you return to +Ireland." + +As Alice spoke Kitty's charming face suddenly lost its brilliant color; +it became white, and her dark eyes flashed with an angry fire. She stood +perfectly still for a moment, then began to walk on a little faster than +before. + +"You have hurt her, Alice," said Bessie; "you should not have said +that." + +"I don't care; she made me do it; she is intolerable." + +"Still, you had no right to speak as you did; remember she is a +stranger." + +Here Bessie ran after Kitty, and tried to slip her hand through her arm; +but the Irish girl made an impatient movement, and, shrugging her +shoulders, walked on quicker than before. + +"Oh, leave her alone," whispered Alice; "let us talk about things that +interest us. Why should all lives be upset by her? There, she is going +on in front; let us fall back and talk about interesting things. Have +you finished your work yet?" + +"Oh, yes; I had a great deal to do this afternoon. I do hope, Alice, +that Gwin won't mind if I ask her to let me go into the library. I must +take a peep into 'Household Encyclopaedia;' it is such a chance." + +"Oh, I am sure she won't mind," replied Alice. "Gwin is the soul of good +nature. I only dread what she will think." + +"Oh, you need not dread anything," said Kitty, suddenly turning round +and coming back to the girls. "I shan't be here long; don't be afraid." + +"Please, Kitty," said Bessie; "don't mind what Alice said just now, she +was vexed, because we are not quite accustomed to manners like yours. +You will soon get into our ways, you know." + +"Never, never!" cried Kitty. + +"Well, at any rate, don't mind about it now. Do you think you will like +your school life?" + +"No; I shall just hate it." + +"What a pity that will be; but I'm sure you don't know what you are +saying. You are vexed with Alice, and I don't wonder--Alice, you were +very hard on her." + +"Oh, never mind," answered Kitty; "don't ask her to apologize. I can go +home again. I don't want to be with people who have made up their minds +to dislike me. All the folks at home love me, and--" Here tears dropped +from her eyes, splashing down her cheeks in bright round pearls. + +"I didn't mean to vex you," said Alice, who was disconcerted at this +evident grief. "I dare say I shall get accustomed to you after a bit. I +mean I do not really want you to go home." + +Kitty's face underwent a change, rapid as a flash of lightning. + +"If you want to make friends, Alice, it's as right as rain," she cried. +"I know I was vexed, but it is over now; yes it is over. I am willing to +be friends if you are willing." + +"Of course," said Alice; "and I know I ought not to have spoken as I +did; but you do manage to fret me dreadfully. I never saw a girl exactly +like you before." + +"It is all right now you really want to be friends," answered Kitty; +"and I will try to be as dull as you please." Here she paused and seemed +to consider. "There's no use," she continued after a moment; "I mean I +must be myself whatever happens. I must be genuine. Please, Alice, let +me be genuine for a week; if at the end of that time you find me +intolerable, why I'll be off." + +"Don't say anything about that," said Bessie; "everything is quite new +to you, and Alice did speak unkindly; but please, Kitty, don't be angry +if I say something." + +"Oh, no, I won't be angry with you; you're a real duck," cried Kitty. + +"Well, we English girls are not quite accustomed to your sort of way; we +are quieter here and more reserved. Perhaps you had better--" + +"Oh, I know exactly what the end of that pretty little speech is going +to be," said Kitty; "but I cannot. I must be Kitty Malone or nothing. I +was born that way. Why, bless you, it is in our race. Aunt Bridget was +just the same when she was young, and so was Aunt Honora, and even +father; oh, and--and Laurie. If you only saw Laurie and Pat! Oh, I wish +you knew Laurie; if you saw him you would say, 'If there is a broth of a +boy in the world he is one.'" + +The girls had now reached the avenue gates at Harley Lodge, and the +lodge-keeper ran out to open them. A few moments later they found +themselves in sight of the pretty, modern mansion which Mr. Harley had +lately purchased. The door was opened by a butler in very correct +livery, and the young folk were shown into a handsome drawing-room at +the other side of a broad hall. There was no one in the room when they +entered, and Kitty walked straight up to a glass let into the wall, and +began to survey herself with intense satisfaction. She had by this time +forgotten the rebuff which Alice had given her, tears had only added to +the brightness of her eyes, and her momentary fit of vexation and temper +had deepened the color in her blooming cheeks. She nodded to herself +with smiles of intense satisfaction, pushed her velvet cap in a slightly +more coquettish way over her mass of black curls, and began once again +to dance a very graceful _pas de seul_ in front of the glass. + +"I do think I have nice feet," she said; and just at that moment the +door was opened, and Gwin Harley and Elma Lewis entered the room. + +Gwin, statuesque, graceful, dressed in the most suitable manner, made a +perfect contrast to poor, excitable Kitty. Kitty's words had been +plainly audible, and Alice flushed deeply with vexation. + +"Why, then, I had better introduce myself," said Kitty, who was by no +means abashed. "Are you Miss Harley? You have got a very nice looking +glass, let me tell you; it shows off the figure to perfection." + +Gwin could not help coloring in surprise and astonishment. + +"I am Kitty Malone, at your service," continued Kitty. "Shall I drop you +a courtesy in the true Irish way? Some of us bob like this--so, and some +of us step back like this," here Kitty performed a very elaborate and +very graceful courtesy, then stood upright, and laughing heartily, +showed rows of pearly teeth. Gwin held out her hand. + +"May I introduce my friend, Elma Lewis? Elma, this is Miss Malone." + +"Kitty Malone. I won't be called Miss Malone," said the incorrigible +Kitty. + +"Won't you all come upstairs now, girls?" said Gwin, who perceived that +both Alice and Bessie were annoyed by Kitty's manners. + +"If we take off our things we can go into the library and have a good +game before tea, or would you prefer a walk?" + +"Well, I for one am tired," said Kitty. "The fact is," she continued, +these boots are somewhat tight. They're awfully becoming, you know, +aren't they? but they do squeeze a little just across the toes; how +ever, as Aunt Honora says, 'Pride feels no pain,' and I am desperate +proud of my feet. Shall we all look at our feet, and see which has got +the prettiest pair?" + +"I don't think we will just at present," said Gwin. "If you are tired +you must take your boots off. Have you not just come from Ireland?" + +"Bless you, yes," answered Kitty; "I only arrived to-day. The place is +as new to me as it can be. Up to the present I don't think much of it, +although you have got a lovely house, Miss Harley--fine and airy with +plenty of big rooms. I suppose you have got money _galore_; have you?" + +"I believe we have," said Gwin in some astonishment, and a haughty note +coming into her voice. + +"Ah, now, don't begin to be proud and stiff!" exclaimed Kitty. "It is +quite wonderful; every one I speak to here seems to take me the wrong +way. What in the world do you all mean? I thought when I came to England +that people would say, 'Well, now, that's a remarkably pretty girl. I am +sure she's Irish by the twinkle in her eye and the roll of the brogue in +her voice; but we'll like her all the better for that.' But, bless my +heart! that's not the way you're taking me. Every time I open my lips +somebody seems to think I have said something wrong. Upon my word it's a +nice state of things, and I, the darling of my old father. If Aunt +Honora and Aunt Bridget were here they would soon put matters straight; +and Laurie, dear, darling, old Laurie, if he saw his Kitty put upon, +wouldn't he give it to you all?" + +"We none of us want to put upon you, Miss Malone," said Gwin Harley. + +"_Miss_ Malone!" + +"Yes," said Gwin firmly, "it is the custom here to call girls by their +surnames for a little until we get to know them; but I am sure," she +added kindly, "you will soon be Kitty with us all, for I see you are +very nice, although you have not quite our ways." + +"Ah, there, that is all I want you to say," answered Kitty with a +profound sigh, "and now I'll go upstairs and slip off my bits of boots, +for they are a trifle tight. Can you lend me a pair of your shoes, Miss +Harley?" + +"Yes, with pleasure," replied Gwin, and turning, she led the way out of +the room. The rest of the evening passed off better. Kitty became a +little subdued, and satisfied herself with talking less, and casting +ravishing glances of delight and roguish entreaty first at one girl and +then at the other. It was extremely difficult to withstand her, for her +voice was low and singularly sweet, her eyes were beautiful, she could +not do an ungraceful thing, she was altogether like a bright, flashing +meteor, and soon she began to exercise an extraordinary fascination both +over Bessie Challoner and Gwin Harley. Having got over her first +astonishment, Gwin began to take a sincere interest in the pretty +stranger. The lovely expression of her coral lips made her long to kiss +them, and to assure the Irish girl that she for one would be her friend; +but the next instant Kitty said something so very much against the grain +that Gwin felt as much repulsed as a moment before she was delighted. + +Immediately after tea Bessie went off to the library to hunt up her +darling "Encyclopaedia." + +"Now that she has gone," exclaimed Gwin, "we are not likely to get her +back for some time. What a remarkably earnest student she is!" + +"The Earnest Student?" interrupted Kitty. "I thought that was the name +of a religious book. I think father has got it at home." + +"Perhaps so," replied Gwin, "but we always call it to Bessie. She is +wonderfully clever. She gets on splendidly at school, taking everything +before her. I am certain she is the kind of girl who will make her mark +by and by." + +"I hate studies!" said Kitty in her low, humorous voice. + +"I am sorry for that," answered Gwin, "for if you come to school you +won't be at all popular if you do not care for your books." + +"Popular? How do you mean? Is it with the teachers or with the girls?" + +"Well, with both I fancy." + +"Then, I tell you what," exclaimed Kitty, "I'd like to bet with you that +you are wrong--that I'll be the most popular girl in the whole of the +school with the teachers--yes, with the teachers--and the scholars as +well." + +"You must be very conceited," exclaimed Elma, who had sat silent during +the greater part of the evening, taking Kitty in, however, all the same. + +"Conceited? No more than you are," cried Kitty, "but I know my powers, +and I have not kissed the Blarney Stone for nothing." + +"Oh, you need not tell us that ridiculous story over again," said Alice. + +"But I should like to hear it," cried Gwin. + +"You really would not Gwin; it is too absurd. We must show Kitty, now +she has come to live among us, what is real wit and what is not. Her +way of talking is only silly." + +Gwin knit her brows, and looked pained. + +"I would rather not correct her now," she said in a gentle voice. Then +she added, her eyes sparkling with sudden eagerness, "Would it not be a +good opportunity for talking over the rules of our society, girls?" + +"Oh yes," cried Elma, "yes; but is it well to----" + +Here she bent forward, and began to whisper vigorously in Gwin's ear. + +"Yes, I think so," answered Gwin. + +"I wouldn't, I really wouldn't," said Elma. "I am certain Alice agrees +with me." + +"I can guess what you are saying," cried Alice, "and I do agree most +heartily." + +"And I can guess what you are saying," exclaimed Kitty, starting to her +feet with flashing eyes. "You don't want to talk about your society or +whatever it is because I am present. Well, discuss it without me. I'll +find my way to the library. Poor dear Bessie is the only decent one +among you, and I shall go and sit with her. How do you know I won't take +up with literature just to spite you all? I can do anything I have a +mind to, and that you will soon find to your cost." + +She ran out of the room as she spoke, slamming the door behind her. + +"There, that's a comfort," cried Alice, breathing freely for the first +time. "Did you ever, girls, in all your lives, see a more terrible +creature? What is to be done? Why, she will disgrace us all at school. +You know what a very nice set we are in at present." + +"Oh, an excellent set," said Elma, in a sarcastic voice. + +"You know, Elma, that we do belong to the nicest set in the school, and +I am sure, Gwin, your father--" + +"You need not drag father in," cried Gwin. Father likes all the people I +like." + +"But, surely--" began Alice. + +Gwin looked at her gravely, then she nodded. + +"I am not quite certain yet," she said; "but I think it highly probable +that I shall take up that poor, wild, little Kitty. At least she is +fresh; she speaks out her mind plainly, and there is a great deal to +admire about her." + +"Then, listen, Gwin," cried Alice; "if she is taken into our special +society I will resign." + +"Will you really, Alice? What, if I ask you to stay?" + +"It is hard to refuse you, dear; but you scarcely know what all this +means to me. I am rubbed the wrong way; I don't understand myself. But +frankly, Gwin, you are not going to ask Kitty Malone to join our +society?" + +"What if it does her good?" + +"But ought we not to think of the others? She is a perfect stranger to +us all at present." + +"But she won't be long. Bless the child, she has no reserve in her, and +I do want to help her, poor little girl! Well, we need not decide that +point at present." + +"Do let us vote to leave her out," cried Alice. + +"No, Alice, we will leave the point undecided. Now let us set to work, +and begin to form our rules, for really we have no time to lose." + +"But what are we to do without Bessie?" exclaimed Alice. "Whatever +happens, we cannot do without Bessie Challoner; she will be the life and +soul of the whole society. Shall we send for her, Gwin?" + +"No, Kitty is with her, and they had better not be disturbed." + +"What a difference Kitty makes," cried Alice. "I did think we should +have had a delightful and heavenly evening, and it has been all ruction +from first to last." + +"Because you dislike her so much, Alice," said Gwin. + +"Well, I do," said Alice; "I can't abide her. But do I show my dislike +so plainly?" she added. + +"Rather! Any one can see it in the curl of your lip and the expression +in your eyes; and then you say such terribly withering things to the +poor girl. You try to crush her." + +"Well, if I may say what I think," cried Elma, "Kitty Malone seems to me +to be a very unpleasant, vulgar girl, and I cannot imagine why she has +been sent here." + +"Oh, as to her vulgarity," said Alice, who suddenly felt forced to +defend herself against Elma's spiteful speeches, "Kitty comes of a very +old family, and her father is as rich as ever he can be. They live in a +wonderful castle in County Donegal, just overhanging the sea; and from +what I learn are considered county people. Father was very pleased to +have her, and whatever she is, she is a lady by birth." + +"So she is rich?" remarked Elma in a low voice. "Well, at any rate," +she continued after a pause, "she is very pretty." + +"Pretty!" cried Gwin; "I should just think she is. She has the most +lovely face I ever saw. Girls, it is quite true what she says; she will +fascinate any number of people. That dashing, daring way of hers will go +down with numbers. Yes, she will make a revolution in Middleton School, +I am certain." + + + + +CHAPTER V + +INCORRIGIBLE KITTY + + +Mr. Harley's library was a beautiful room. It was lined with books from +floor to ceiling, and these books had been selected with the greatest +care. Standard works of all sorts and in three languages were to be +found on certain bookshelves, also modern works, both poetry and prose, +with some of the best novels of the day. + +Bessie Challoner never envied rich people. She cared nothing whatever +for fine dresses, nor for carriages and horses, nor for the luxurious +life of the wealthy, but she did envy Gwin Harley the use of her +father's library; and when she entered the room now, with that delicious +faint smell of leather which all libraries possess, she sniffed first +with ecstasy, and then climbing on the ladder secured the volume of the +"Encyclopaedia" which she required, and seating herself at one of the +center tables, was soon lost in the fascinations of her subject. After a +time a little cough, very gentle, however, caused her to raise her head, +and there standing before her was Kitty Malone. + +Kitty's long arms had dropped to her sides, and she had pushed back her +masses of dark hair. There was a pathetic expression about her rosy +lips, and tears trembled on her long eyelashes. + +"Why, what is it, Kitty; what do you want?" asked Bessie. + +"Ah, then it's good to hear you say that word, aroon," said Kitty. "I +want to sit near you. I won't speak, no, not a syllable. Hush will be +the only word with me, hush! hush! hush! You can go on with your beloved +reading and I'll stay near you; that's all I require. Why, then, it's +just a shelter I need, and nothing more. Read away, Bessie, my honey, +and I'll do nothing to interrupt you." + +"But why have you left the others?" asked Bessie. + +"Never mind, dear, now. I'll just sit quietly here, and contemplate you +while you are studying." + +Bessie sighed impatiently. She then bent again over her book, and began +to devour the pages. Kitty watched her with marked interest. + +"I wonder if it will be my fate to have to take up with literature in +sober earnest," she said to herself, "I, who can never abide a book. Oh, +to be back again in the dear old place! I should not be a bit surprised +if Laurie is out fishing now, and Pat with him. And oh, suppose they are +bringing in the trout, and the creatures are leaping and struggling as +they come to shore, and father is going round to feed the dogs--why, the +thought is enough to madden me. Oh, then, why did I ever leave home? I +don't care _that_ for books, nor for being clever nor for--How she works +to be sure! How earnest she looks. She has got a very fine forehead, +although it is miles too high. She ought to wear a fringe; it would +improve her wonderfully. I will cut her hair some day if she will let +me. I will cut it and curl it. I have got the dearest little jewel of a +pair of curling tongs that ever was seen! Aunt Honora sent it to me in a +box with a spirit lamp all complete when I got the rest of my things. +I'll just exercise those little tongs on dear, nice Bessie. I do wish +she would not be so devoted to that book, she might talk. Oh, I am +lonely. I think I'll fidget a bit." + +Kitty moved her chair, creaking it ominously; but Bessie had got to a +most thrilling part of her subject, and Kitty might have creaked the +library down before she would have roused her companion's attention. + +"Now, if I sigh, perhaps that will do it," thought Kitty. She opened her +mouth and let some profound sighs come up from the depths of her heart; +but they only depressed her still more, and had no effect whatever on +Bessie. + +"I think I hate intellectual people," muttered the Irish girl. She +jumped to her feet. + +"I must do something to rouse her or I shall go mad. She is the nicest +of them all, much. I wish she would speak to me. Why should I break my +heart, and why should she simply go on devouring that stupid book? Here, +I know what I'll do. I'll just toss down one of the big volumes; it will +make a clatter and she will have to look up. Perhaps I'll let it drop +just the tiniest bit in the world on the corner of her toe; that will +finish her." Here Kitty laughed excitedly, pushed out her arm and +knocked over a huge volume which certainly fell a good deal more than a +tiny bit on poor Bessie's foot. + +"Oh, Kitty, what have you done?" cried Bessie. "You have quite hurt me. +I wish you would not drop the books about." + +"There, darling, I had to do it. Pray forgive me," said Kitty. + +"You had to do it!" answered Bessie. "Do you mean that you did it on +purpose?" + +"Why, then, yes, love--that's what I do mean exactly. I did it because +I wanted you to talk to me, and you _would_ think of nothing but that +book." + +"It is such a chance," answered Bessie, "and I wanted to find out for +myself all about that wonderful magnetic iron ore. You know it never +loses its power, it is potent for hundreds and hundreds of years, and--" + +"Oh, don't tell me any more, or I'll lose my senses. Dear Bessie, what +does magnetic iron ore matter. Bessie, I'm awfully unhappy. Every one is +so unkind to me. Promise you'll be my friend, won't you?" + +Bessie looked up, and then she saw something so touching in Kitty's face +that she closed her book with a reluctant sigh, to devote herself the +next moment with all the sympathy she possessed to her companion. + +"I am sure you are suffering, Kitty, and I am sorry for you," she said. +"I'll fetch my hat and we'll go out for a little." + +"Oh, what a darling you are!" answered Kitty. + +A moment or two later the girls were walking across the beautifully-kept +garden; they soon reached a shady path at the further end. + +"And now, Kitty," said Bessie, "I mean to lecture you a little." + +"Anything in the world you like, darling. I'm quite agreeable. Aunt +Honora and Aunt Bridget lecture me, and so does the dear old dad +sometimes; but I always say when they have finished that it is like +water on a duck's back--it rolls off without making the least bit of +impression, and then they laugh and say that I am the queerest mixture +they ever came across, and that they had best leave me to nature. But +perhaps I'll listen to you, Bessie." + +"I wish you would," said Bessie. "I am sure," she added, speaking with +great earnestness, "that you are a very nice girl, Kitty; but at the +same time you are wild." + +"Oh, I pride myself on that," said Kitty in her frankest of voices. + +"But I wish you would not, Kitty, for it really isn't nice." + +"Not nice! Now what may you be meaning by that, aroon?" + +"Well, there is a sort of dignity which I think a really well brought-up +girl ought to possess." + +"Oh, my! dignity is it?" said Kitty. She stepped away from her +companion, drew down her face to a ridiculous length, nearly closed her +eyes, and folded her hands demurely across her breast. + +"Is that pleasing you, mavourneen?" she said. "Is it dignified and sober +enough poor Kitty Malone looks now?" + +"Oh, Kitty, you will joke about everything." + +Kitty immediately changed her mood. + +"No, I won't," she said. "I am really awfully obliged to you. You don't +know what all this has been to me. Father said I was growing too +wild--yes, the darling dad did; he agrees with you down to the core of +his heart, and he said I must go to England and be taught manners. But, +bless you, they'll have a job. I told him so when I was going. I said, +'Dad, it's the hearts of the teachers I'll be breaking;' and dad said, +'Oh, no, you won't, Kitty, aroon. You'll be a good girl, and you'll try +to please your old dad and you'll come back a beautiful, perfect lady!' +He said it with tears in his eyes, he did, the darling; and I promised, +and down on my knees I went and asked God to help me. But, dear, it's +like the froth of the sea-foam inside me, the fun and the mischief and +the nonsense and the ways that you think queer; but, all the same, those +ways delight the good folk at home. Must I really give them up, +Bessie--must I?" + +"To a certain extent," said Bessie, "or you will have a lot of enemies +here, Kitty, and you won't be at all happy." + +"How I wish I lived with you, Bessie Challoner. You're a broth of a +girl, that you are. You have not taken a dislike to me just because of +the fun bubbling up in my heart?" + +"No, dear; on the contrary, I like you extremely." + +"Ah, you precious duck of a darling! It is a good squeeze you would +like, if I gave it to you?" + +"Well, I am not very fond of being kissed; but if you must, Kitty." + +"I must, dear, I must, for the heart in me is full to the brim. Now +then, stand still, and I'll catch you up close to my heart. There! isn't +that better?" + +Poor Bessie gave some long-drawn breaths, for the firmness, in fact the +ferocity, of Kitty's embrace quite hurt her for a moment. + +"There," said Kitty, "that's the way we hug in Old Ireland. Now I'm a +sight better, and I'll let go. So you do like me, Bessie?" + +"Yes, very much indeed, Kitty, only--please don't do it again." + +"I won't to-night, I won't really, but it's wonderful that you don't +like it. I wish you could see Aunt Honora and Aunt Bridget hug one +another. Why, it's the noise they make when they get together, and the +way they kiss! Oh, dear, I hope some day you'll come to Ireland." + +"You don't tempt me by these descriptions," replied Bessie. "But now, +Kitty, will you promise just to be a little quieter, to keep in all +those irrepressible and--really I must say it, dear, at the risk of +hurting you--those silly words." + +"But then I'm silly myself," said Kitty. "Can you expect wisdom out of +nonsense? I am pure and simple nonsense from first to last." + +"But you do want to be something better? You do want to lead a good +life?" + +"A good life! I never thought there was anything bad in me." + +"You want to learn for instance?" + +"No; that I don't, darling." + +"You don't want to learn, Kitty? Then what is the good of coming to +Middleton School?" + +"Listen," said Kitty. "I'll do anything for father. Father said I was to +learn, and that I was to get manners. Now I think your manners are +perfect. I'll model myself on you, dear; that I will. Will you teach me +your manners, Bessie Challoner?" + +"I'll do all I can to help you, Kitty." + +"And you'll be my real faithful friend?" + +"Yes, only please not--" + +"I won't, dear, I won't to-night; but when I meet you to-morrow you'll +allow me just once?" + +"Well, if it will break you in." + +"It will, it will. It will enable me to bear Alice. I am not the sort to +hate people; but I'll soon get to hate her. It's an awful affliction +that I have got to live with the Denvers; not that Mrs. Denvers is bad, +nor Mr. Denvers, poor dear, nor Fred, but Alice! I'd like to get Alice +over to Ireland, to Castle Malone. I could punish her a bit if I put her +into Laurie's hands. But there!" + +"Well, Kitty, time is going," said Bessie. "It is a bargain that I help +you to learn some of our English ways, and that you, in order to pay me, +try to be gentle yourself, and to restrain some of your wild words." + +"I'll try. I'll do my very, very best. You'll see when I get to +Middleton School what a proper, respectable sort of girl I'll become." + +"And you'll work hard too, won't you, Kitty? For I know it will do you a +great deal of good, and I am sure you are very intelligent." + +"Well, I can take in most things; only it's no end of a bother." + +"I am certain you will succeed if you try," said Bessie. "Then it's a +bargain, isn't it? You'll try to learn a great deal, and you will do +your best to get better mannered?" + +"Why, of course I will. I hate learning, and I don't want to be bothered +with lessons: but there's nothing under the sun I wouldn't do for those +I love; and I love father and I love you too, Bessie Challoner." + +"They are calling us. We must go into the house," said Bessie. + +"Do yield to me on one point," cried Kitty. + +"What is that?" + +"Let us go back to the house with our arms round each other's waists. It +will show Alice that we have come to an understanding. I don't care +twopence about Miss Harley nor about that other girl--I don't remember +her name; but I want Alice to see us. Why, it's mad with jealousy she'll +be. Come along, aroon. Here's my arm firm round your waist; now let us +dance up to the house." + +"Oh Kitty, Kitty, you are incorrigible!" cried poor Bessie, and a +feeling of despair certainly visited her at that moment. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +THE TUG-OF-WAR. + + +A few days after the events related in the last chapter Alice Denvers, +Bessie Challoner, Elma Lewis, and Gwin Harley met once more at Gwin's +pretty home, to discuss the rules of a little society which they were +drawing up among themselves. The nicest girls in their set were to be +invited to join; but the important subject of the rules was first to be +discussed. Gwin Lad drawn up a plan which she now submitted to her eager +companions. + +"The most important thing of all is the name," she said. "I thought of +calling it 'The Early Rising, Devoted to Study Society.'" + +"Oh, twice too long," said Bessie. "Who could be bothered saying all +these words? You know when we are in the rush of school-life we cannot +be bothered talking of the 'Early Rising, Devoted to Study;' it would +never, never do. We must express what we mean in a single word if +necessary." + +"Then let us get one," said Gwin. "You have not the least idea what a +headache I had last night searching in the dictionary and cudgelling my +brains; but a sensible word which would express all our meaning I could +not get." + +"Let us think what our meaning clearly is," said Elma. + +"Don't you know that yet?" exclaimed Bessie. "The society is to be +formed as an incentive to make us work extra hard. You know," she added +"I always think the motives of school-life are quite wrong." + +"Oh, do listen to the words of Miss Wisdom," said Elma, in a very +mocking tone. + +Bessie's big gray eyes flashed for a moment with indignation; but she +soon recovered her usual calm. + +"I think the motives of school are wrong," she repeated; "there are +prizes offered, and there is a lot of emulation--" + +"And how could we live without emulation?" cried Alice. "Why, it is the +very breath of life." + +"But the desire of each to excel the other is not surely why we are sent +to school," continued Bessie. "We are sent to school because our parents +want us to learn something. They don't want us specially to get prizes, +although they are glad when we do, because they suppose that we have +accomplished some of the objects of our school life; but their real wish +is that we should know English history, and history generally, that we +should be well acquainted with geography, that we should speak French +fluently, and understand German so as to be able to converse in that +tongue, and to read the literature." + +"Oh, do listen to the bookworm," cried Elma. + +"In short," continued Bessie; "that we should become accomplished +women--that is undoubtedly the real object of school." + +"Well, we are not gainsaying it," said Gwin. "We all know, dear Bessie, +what you feel about learning; it is the breath of life to you." + +"It is, I rejoice in it," said Bessie. "A good vigorous tussle with a +tough subject is the keenest pleasure which I can possibly have." + +"But the rest of us are not made the same way," continued Gwin. "Now I +like my studies very much--that is, in moderation. When I am learning +and mastering French, and getting through my music creditably, and, in +short, going through the usual curriculum of work, I feel interested; +but I also have a delightful sense that if I work for so many hours I am +entitled to play for so many hours." + +"Oh, bother the play," interrupted Bessie. + +"You see, Bessie Challoner, that is the difference between us. I like +work just to form part of my life, but not the whole; you want work to +form the whole of your life." + +"Yes; that I do," said Bessie. + +"But now to return to the society," interrupted Elma. "We all know that +it won't be the slightest effort to Bessie to join; but she will be a +good incentive to the rest of us. She will always be at the top of the +tree, at the head of her class, and all that sort of thing. She won't +require to be told to get up early, because she always does." + +"I tell you what," interrupted Bessie; "let us put things into our rules +which will be a tug-of-war for me too. For instance, now, I am untidy." + +"Well, yes; just a little bit," said Gwin, her eyes dancing. + +"It's more than a little bit," said Bessie. "Oh, Gwin, you don't know +what a nuisance it is to keep my room in order, and sometimes I forget +the things dear mother tells me, and I am impatient with poor little +Judy, who takes, I must say, a fiendish delight in putting my things in +hiding. Now, our rules might include tidiness of person and order +generally. It's no trouble to me to keep my books in order, nor my mind +in order; but I do hate washing my hands before every meal, and brushing +my hair and doing it up in a fashionable roll at the back of my head." + +"Oh, my dear child," said Elma, "do you imagine for a moment that that +excrescence at the back of your head is fashionable? I never saw +anything more dowdy." + +"Dowdy? Is it?" said Bessie. "I spent five minutes over it this morning, +and twisted it up three times in order to give it that horrid little +handle of a jug look which you all aspire to. Well, well, I don't +suppose we need add to our rules that the girls who belong to the +society are to be fashionable." + +"It would be a really good idea if we did," said Elma. "I cannot see why +schoolgirls should be a lot of frumps. Our society is to effect a +certain object which can never be acquired unaided in a great school +like Middleton. We want to be as ladylike, as refined, as nice as if we +belonged to a very small and select school. We get the best teaching at +Middleton, but I don't suppose we get the best manners." + +"Well, let us add all these things to the rules," said Gwin, "and let us +begin to put them down at once. First, as to the name. Until we can +think of a better we must call it the 'Mutual Improvement Society.'" + +"A hateful word," said Bessie. "The M.I.S.!" + +"Yes, it does sound priggish," said Elma. + +"Well, I dare say some one will have genius enough to think of a more +flashy and brilliant name," said Gwin, "but for the present we will call +it the 'Mutual Improvement,' for that is exactly what it means. Now then +for the rules." + +As Gwin spoke she drew in front of her a sheet of foolscap paper; and, +dipping her pen in ink, looked eagerly at her three young companions. + +"Rule I.," she said. + +"For goodness' sake," cried Bessie, "let Rule I. apply to study. Do let +down lightly with regard to tidiness and fashionable hair, and all that +sort of thing." + +"Yes, we will begin about the most important matters first," said Gwin. +Here she began to write rapidly in pencil. "I must copy this out in my +best and most copperplate hand presently," she continued; "but while we +are correcting matters and getting down our rules somehow pencil will +do. Well, Rule I. Shall it be something like this, girls? 'The members +of this society are expected to aim for the top of the class in each +branch of their study at Middleton School. They are expected to gain at +least one prize at the midsummer examination.'" + +"That sounds rather like emulation coming in," interrupted Bessie. + +"It must come in, Bessie--it must," said Elma. "We must have something +to work for." + +"I thought the love of the thing--" began poor Bessie. + +"Oh, Bessie Challoner, do shut up. Yes, Gwin, that first rule goes very +well," said Elma. "We are to aim for the top of the class, and we are to +secure at least one prize each. Hurrah! for the Mutual Improvement +Society! Now, then let us get to Rule II." + +"That applies to deportment," said Gwin. "'The members of the Mutual +Improvement Society are to aim at ladylike manners, they are to refrain +from slang in conversation, and they are to refuse to make friends with +girls who indulge too largely in that special form of vulgarity.' Poor +Kitty Malone!" + +"But she does not talk slang," said Bessie. "She talks Ireland, and +Ireland and England are as far apart as the poles." + +"Rule III.," continued Gwin, "relates to tidiness; and now, Bessie, +comes your tug of war. 'The members of the society must engage to keep +their home things in perfect order, as well as their school desks. They +must be neat in their persons, exquisitely clean with regard to hands +and teeth, and tidy with regard to hair.'" + +"I don't think I'll join," said Bessie. + +"Nonsense, Bessie; it was you who told us to put all this in. I, as a +matter of course, always do these things," said Gwin, looking very sweet +and the essence of young ladyhood as she spoke. + +"Oh, yes, you dear old thing, you are perfect; but you don't live in the +sort of ramshackle house we do," said Bessie. "However, never mind. I am +quite agreeable to go in for the tug-of-war. And, now, is there anything +else?" + +"Oh yes, there is," said Elma, "and I think it is a most important +thing. 'The members of the Society, as far as they possibly can, are to +adhere to fashionable dress, to hair done in a stylish manner, and in +short to that distinction of appearance which ought to characterize the +lady of the present day.'" + +"Well done, Elma," said Gwin, "that is a capital rule." + +"It is a hateful rule," said Bessie. "I really don't think I can join. I +don't know what fashionable clothes are. I never study the fashions. I +have not the slightest idea whether sleeves are worn stuck out to the +size of a balloon or skin-tight to the arm. All I ask for in a sleeve is +that it should be comfortable; all I ask for in a dress is that I should +not know I have it on. I like to be warm in winter and cool in summer. +More I do not ask for." + +"Then the rule will do you a wonderful lot of good," said Gwin. "And now +is it decided? If so we will draw up the rules in proper form, and----" + +"I tell you what," said Bessie. "I have thought of a name and a good one +too. Let us call the society the 'Tug-of-war Society.'" + +"Well done," said Gwin; "that will be capital. And now is there to be a +subscription or is there not?" + +"Oh, certainly," said Alice. "It would make it much more distinguished, +and prevent too many girls asking to join. We want to have the +Tug-of-War Society rather select, don't we?" + +"I suppose so," said Gwin; "but I don't think that really depends upon +the amount of the subscription. What do you say to half a guinea, +girls?" + +Alice looked thoughtful, and Elma's face turned rather pale; but she was +the first to say she thought Gwin's suggestion an admirable one. + +"Then that is all right," said Gwin, "and I will set to work to write +out the rules as neatly as I can. After they are all set out in due +form, we can see if there are any improvements to be suggested." + +Gwin set to work, bending low over her foolscap paper, and Alice offered +to help her. Elma and Bessie wandered out of the room, and soon their +conversation turned to the much-discussed subject of Kitty. + +Bessie stood up warmly for the harum-scarum Irish girl, as Elma called +her. + +"She has a lot of good in her," said Bessie warmly. "She would be a +splendid girl if she were tamed down a little. I really don't think we +want to take much of the fire out of her; but if she would only restrain +some of her wild speeches it would be all the better; for if she remains +as frank as she is at present to the end of the chapter she cannot help +making enemies." + +"I want to ask you a question, Bessie," said Elma, dropping her voice to +a low tone; "is it true that Kitty Malone is rich?" + +"Rich?" echoed Bessie. "I really cannot tell you." + +"I thought you might happen to know, as you have made such chums with +her. She is your greatest friend now at Middle ton School, is she not?" + +"Certainly not," replied Bessie. "What do you mean by asking me such a +strange question, Elma? Alice is far and away my greatest friend, and +after Alice I like Gwin best." + +"Oh, everybody likes Gwin Harley," said Elma; "who could help it? She is +so beautiful to look at, and she has such a delightful, lovely home." + +"I cannot see that her having a lovely, delightful home has anything to +do with our liking her," said honest Bessie. + +"Not to you perhaps," answered Elma, and a queer look, half-wistful, +half-defiant, came into her eyes. + +"I thought you would be sure to be able to tell me if Kitty were rich," +she said again after a pause. + +"I cannot. You must ask Alice--she lives with Alice. She has plenty of +pretty dresses, and all that sort of thing; but I don't know anything +about her having money." + +"I will run into the house this minute and ask Alice," said Elma. + +"Do, of course, if you are anxious; but I cannot imagine what difference +it makes to you." + +"No, it doesn't, but I am just curious on the subject. I won't keep you +long." + +Elma dashed into the house. She presently came back. + +"I have found out all about it," she said. + +"All about what?" asked Bessie. + +"What I went into the house for. How forgetful you are, Bessie!" + +"I was wondering if I might steal into the library," said Bessie. "I did +not get all the information I wanted about magnetic iron ore, but--Well, +what is it, Elma?" + +"Kitty Malone is rich, very rich, and----" + +"I can't see that it matters," said Bessie--"I mean to us." + +"Oh, but it matters a good deal. You don't understand. I shall certainly +vote that we ask her to join the Tug-of-War Society." + +"You will?" cried Bessie--a look of great pleasure came into her eyes. +"Then I am really glad, for to join such a society would do Kitty more +good than anything else in the world. Only the nicest girls will belong, +and she will get at once into the best set. She is as wild as she can +be, but she has got plenty of honor; and if she once gave her word that +she would do a certain thing no one would do it better." + +"Let us have her by all means. Let us put it to the vote as soon as we +go back to the house," said Elma. "Come Bessie, no slinking away in the +direction of that fascinating library. They have nearly copied the +rules, and we are to read them over and make comments." + +"I think it will be a delightful society," said Bessie. "I am sure it +will do me good." + +"It is meant to do us all good," said Elma. "Tug-of-war! I should rather +think it will be! How I shall hate that terrible effort to get to the +head of my class; not that I am stupid or dislike my lessons." + +"That would be the nice part as far as I am concerned," said Bessie; +"but oh! the fashionable sleeves and the stylish hair. Oh dear! I often +feel inclined to have my hair cut short." + +"Well, Bessie, you would be a fool if you did," said Elma. "Your +splendid hair; why, it's nearly down to your knees." + +"Yes, and that's the bother," said Bessie, "for mother insists on my +brushing it out every night for at least ten minutes, and all that time +is taken from my books. I tell you, Elma, I would gladly change with +you." + +Elma's locks were very thin and straggly, and she could not help +coloring at this left-handed compliment; but at that moment Alice +appeared on the balcony to tell the other two girls that the rules were +ready, and that they might return to the house. They did so, and the +rules were then read carefully over (by Elma on this occasion), +criticized by Gwin, Alice, and Bessie, and finally carried as far as the +original members of the society were concerned. The next important thing +was to put to the vote who was to be asked to join and who was to be +excluded. Several girls were named, and among them Elma suddenly +introduced the name of Kitty Malone. + +"Now what do you mean by that?" said Alice, her eyes flashing angrily. +"If Kitty joins the society, I, for one, will resign." + +"But you cannot, dear," said Gwin in her placid voice. "Remember you are +one of the founders; you are bound to uphold the society now for at +least one term of its natural life. At the end of that time you are +permitted to resign, but certainly not before." + +"Then, as I presume I have a vote with regard to the election of +members, I certainly do not wish for Kitty Malone," said Alice. + +"I think the votes must go by the wishes of the majority," replied Gwin; +"does any one else want her?" + +"I do." said Elma, holding up her hand. + +"And I think it would be good for her," said Bessie. + +"Dear me, Bessie, how spiteful of you to say that," cried Alice. + +"But I do think it, Alice; I do truly." + +"Why, Bessie?" asked Gwin. + +"Well, you know there are the sort of things mentioned in our rules +which would just give Kitty the sort of restraint she wants," began +Bessie. + +"Yes, I think I begin to understand you, Bessie. I too will vote that +she is asked to join," said Gwin. + +Alice looked very sulky, but did not say anything further, and soon +afterward the girls broke up their conference. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +ELMA. + + +Kitty Malone was admitted to a low form at Middleton School, her +acquirements being the reverse of distinguished. This fact did not give +her the smallest sense of discomfort. On the contrary, she was pleased; +and although her fellow-scholars were all younger and smaller than +herself, she soon became a sort of queen among them, laughing and joking +with them, and flying round the playground with half a dozen small girls +at her heels, feasting them with unlimited chocolate and telling them +stories. She soon got through her somewhat easy lessons, and was wilder +and more incorrigible than ever. The only sober moments she seemed to +enjoy were when she was with Bessie; for Bessie Challoner took a sincere +interest in her, and was very anxious to get her into a higher form, +where she would be with girls nearer her own age, and would thus be +forced to submit to more discipline than she could enjoy with the +younger girls. Bessie also hoped great things from the Tug-of-war +Society, and soon told Kitty that she was to be asked to become a +member. + +"I will certainly join when I am asked," answered Kitty. "I have not the +least idea what you are all driving at, but I'll become a member if it's +to be in the same society with you, my darling duck of a girl!" + +Bessie then read her a copy of the rules. + +"Why, then, you can't expect me to adhere to the first of them," was +Kitty's answer. "It's no, it's no to that, Bessie. I wouldn't tell a lie +for any earthly thing, and I could not drive myself to the head of that +class. Why, I wouldn't take the place from sweet little Agnes Moore for +all the world. Why it's tears I'd bring to the pretty eyes of the +creature. Oh, I couldn't get ahead of her. I'd just as lief be at the +tail--just as lief." + +"But, Kitty, have you no ambition?" + +"Well, no, dear, I don't think I have. I never could see the fun of +taking a prize from another; it's no use I'll be in the society, not the +least bit." + +"Well, all the same it would do you good," said Bessie, "for you know +you love your father, and you said you would try to acquire knowledge to +please him." + +"Oh, where's the good of reminding me of that," said Kitty, looking very +thoughtful and somewhat pensive. "Why did you come out with it, Bessie, +aroon; it's fretting the heart out of me you are. Dear old dad! there's +nothing I wouldn't do for him." + +"I am glad I did remind you, Kitty, for you know you have come here to +learn." + +"Ah, dear, I'll shut my ears if you talk any more in that sort of way," +said Kitty. "If I must learn, I must; but don't be reminding me of it, +there's a good creature--it's play out of school if it's work in." + +"Much work you do, Kitty! Why, I always see you laughing and winking +and twinkling your eyes, and pushing your feet about." + +"Pushing my feet about! And is it to keep them in a corner I would, +pretty feet like mine! Why, they are meant to be seen. That's the only +reason why I object to a long dress, because it does not show so much of +the feet and ankles. Ah, sure it's dear little ankles I have, as neat +and trim as you please." + +"Kitty, you are getting wilder than ever." + +"Well, darling, I'll cool down if you'll just let me give you one of my +big hugs." + +"I really can't; my ribs are quite sore. You must not do it to-day. I +told you, you might once a week, but no oftener." + +Kitty sank down on the nearest chair and looked comically miserable. + +"Go on with the next rule, Bessie," she said, after a moment. "I want to +belong to the Tug-of-war because it's close to you I'll be, darling. +What's the next rule?" + +Bessie read it out to her. + +"Why, now, it's the pink of a lady I am myself," said Kitty. "I was +always told I was; I don't mind that rule in the least. There won't be +much of a tug-of-war there; if Kitty Malone is to be a lady, why, a lady +she is. I wish you could hear Aunt Honora and Aunt Bridget talking about +our ancient family and our long and royal descent. Go on, Bessie; that's +not so bad as taking the prize from poor little Agnes. What's Rule +III.?" + +Rule III. was read aloud to Kitty, who shook her head solemnly several +times. + +"Now, to be frank with you," she said, "there's only one bond between +Alice and me, and that is we do make a froth of the things in our +drawers; and if we are both to struggle against our besetting infirmity, +it will go hard with us; but there, it will be fun to see her struggling +to be tidy and all to no purpose. I think I'll join on that account. I +shall like to see her fighting her drawers. I know if I'm put to it I +can keep mine twenty times tidier." + +"I am now coming to Rule IV.," said Bessie; this she read aloud with +some qualms, for she disliked it so very much herself. Kitty's eyes +flashed with pleasure. + +"Now, that is after my own heart," she cried, "fashionable dresses are +they, and hair done up in style. Mavourneen! mavourneen! you will have +to wear a fringe!" + +Kitty burst into peals of laughter. + +"Oh, Bessie," she said, "I have just been longing to attack that head of +yours. I'll bring my little tongs along, and I'll curl up such a lovely +fringe on your great intellectual forehead." + +"You'll do nothing of the kind," said Bessie, clasping her hands over +her head to protect her thick, long hair. + +"But you must, mavourneen, you must if you join the Tug-of-war Society. +Oh, it's beautiful you'll look! And I tell you what it is, Bessie, I'll +lend you the patterns of my new sleeves--those that are all crinkled +from above the elbow down to the wrist, and puffed ever so much at the +top, with little tucks, and little insertions, and little--" + +"Kitty, I won't listen to you for another moment. I shall try to dress +as neatly as I can, and perhaps I must twist my hair into a more stylish +coil at the back of my head, but beyond that I absolutely refuse to go." + +"Well, it's a delicious rule," said Kitty Malone, "and I hope I'll work +you round after a bit, Bessie. It seems but fair that if I yield to you +with regard to the other rules you ought to yield to me about Rule IV. I +am sure if I do take the prize from poor little Agnes Moore, and if I +never speak a word of slang, and if I keep my abominable drawers as neat +as a new pin, and all my clothes in perfect order, that you on your part +ought to wear a good thick, heavy fringe, and have your hair pointed out +ever so far at the back in the way it is worn in the present day. I'd +love to do it; and you have magnificent hair, Bessie, aroon! so you +have." + +"I must ask you to leave me now, Kitty," was Bessie's answer. "You are a +very funny girl, and there is a great deal that I like in you; but I +cannot neglect my studies even for you." + +"Oh, bother your studies!" answered Kitty. + +Bessie, however, was quite in earnest, and Kitty had to leave her. + +The next day there was another meeting at Gwin Harley's house, and the +members of the Tug-of-war Society were formally initiated into the +mysteries of what they had undertaken. About ten girls joined in all, +and it was decided to limit the number to these until the end of the +present term. In addition to the four chief rules it was also clearly +understood that the members were all to be absolutely faithful the one +to the other, that no member of the Tug-of-war Society was to speak +against another member; on the contrary, she was to uphold her through +thick and thin, to help her if possible, to aid her in moments of +difficulty, and to rejoice with her in moments of triumph. Once a week +the members were to meet at each other's houses. There they were to have +tea together, to discuss the rules if necessary, but at any rate to have +a pleasant time. As the summer advanced picnics were to be inaugurated +on Saturdays, and fun of some sort or another was to be the vogue. + +Kitty, who had dressed herself for this auspicious occasion in a dress +of the palest blue, with a silver sheen running in zigzag lines all over +it, whose black hair was curled up on her forehead and coiled +fantastically round the back of her head, whose eyes were shining and +wreathing themselves in all sorts of smiles, could scarcely restrain her +spirits while the rest of the girls were debating on the rules. + +Finally Gwin laid a little box on the table, and asked the new members +to subscribe their half-guinea each. Each girl dropped her +half-sovereign and sixpence into the box with the exception of Elma, +who, coloring a little, said she would bring it to Gwin the next day. No +one made any remark, as it was well known in the school that Elma was +anything but well off, and Gwin privately resolved to subscribe for her +without saying anything about it. + +Then the girls had tea in Gwin's own private sitting-room, and afterward +they wandered about the lawns, and returned home in the cool of the +evening. On this occasion Elma found herself side by side with Kitty +Malone. Kitty was walking quietly; she had exhausted some of her +emotions during the hours that she had played tennis, and laughed and +chatted with the other members of the Tug-of-war Society, and when Elma +put her hand on her arm, and looked up at her half-timidly and +half-beseechingly, Kitty stopped short, and said in her hearty, frank +voice: + +"And what may you be wanting with me, Elma? Is it a favor I can do you; +because if it is I am sure you are welcome to it with all the pleasure +in life." + +"You are a good-natured girl, Kitty," said Elma; "I always felt that +from the very first. Shall we drop a little behind the others? The fact +is I don't want every one to hear what I am going to say to you." + +"If it is a secret, darling, don't tell it to me," said Kitty, "for I +cannot keep it. I always say so quite frankly. I say to each person who +comes to me with a private confidence, 'Confide nothing in Kitty Malone, +for Kitty Malone is a sieve.'" + +"Oh, but it would never do for you to be that," said Elma, who was +somewhat alarmed and secretly greatly disgusted. "A girl is not worth +her salt if she tells what is confided to her by another girl; and of +course, now that you have become a member of the Tug-of-war Society, if +you are found blabbing any of our secrets at Middleton School I don't +know what will happen!" + +"I wonder what would happen!" cried Kitty; "it would be quite nice to +find out. Do tell me, Elma." + +"How can I when you don't understand," said Elma. "You would be wanting +in all honor; none of us ten girls would speak to you again." + +"Wouldn't Bessie Challoner, the darling?" + +"Certainly not. She could not; none of us could." + +"I shouldn't like that," said Kitty thoughtfully. "I did not know, when +I joined the Tug-of-war, that I was to be burdened with secrets. And am +I not to explain to any of the other girls why I am moving heaven and +earth to get to the very head of the class? Am I not to breathe the real +reason, when I am taking poor little Agnes Moore's place, and breaking +her heart, the pretty lamb? Is that so?" + +"You certainly are not," said Elma. "Dear me, Kitty, what a very +extraordinary specimen you are!" + +"Well, don't scold me, for pity's sake," said Kitty. "I am so sick of +every one telling me that I am an extraordinary specimen. In Ireland +they think I am a very fine specimen; but here! oh, it's nothing but +holding up of hands and rolling up of eyes, and 'Oh, dear, let us get +out of her way!' and 'Oh, dear, how queer she looks in her grand +clothes!' and--and----" + +"Do stop talking, Kitty. You are the most awful rattlepate----" + +"There, now, on you go," said poor Kitty. "I'm a rattlepate, am I? It +seems that I can never speak but I get into somebody's black books." + +"You don't get into mine, I am sure," said Elma. "But I think you ought +to be greatly obliged to me for telling you what is your plain duty with +regard to the Tug-of-war Society. It is just like a secret society; our +rules are our own, and not a soul who is not a member must know anything +about them." + +"Well, I won't tell," said Kitty. "When I say a thing I stick to it. I +won't split--there I that's flat and I suppose I am obliged to you, +Elma." + +"Yon ought to be," answered Elma. "Why, what a terrible scrape you would +have got into. And now, then, Kitty, I have something else to tell you." + +"Well, and what is it?" asked Kitty. + +"First, are you not pleased that you are a member of the Tug-of-war +Society?" + +"To be sure I am. I think it is awfully nice of all you girls to ask me +to join." + +"It is a great distinction," continued Elma; "a new girl like you, one +who is not known a bit in the school! Out of the whole school we have +only selected ten, including the founders, and you are one. You ought to +think yourself in rare luck." + +"So I do." + +"And you ought to be very grateful." + +"So I am." + +"But do you know whom you ought to be grateful to?" + +"Well, I suppose to Bessie." + +"Not a bit of it; it is to me you ought to be grateful. But for me you +would not be a member of the Tug-of-war Society." + +"But for you, Elma?" + +"No." + +"Was it you who got me asked to join?" + +"I was the one who insisted on your being asked to join us. I put it +plainly to Bessie and to Gwin, and they quite agreed with me. Alice was +the only one who voted against you." + +"Oh, just like her, spiteful thing!" said Kitty, coloring with +annoyance. "Well, I am sure, Elma, I am obliged to you, and if there's +anything I can do--" + +"I am coming to that," said Elma; "it's not much, but if you could--" + +"Could what? Why, I'll do anything. Is it one of my gowns you want to +borrow?" + +"No, no. What extraordinary ideas you hare!" + +"Oh, there you begin again," said Kitty. "I never can speak right. Well, +what can I do for you, Elma?" + +"If you could--just until next Monday--if you could lend me some--some +money," said Elma, coloring as she spoke, her voice faltering, and her +eyes seeking the ground. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +THE LITTLE HOUSE IN CONSTANTINE ROAD. + + +Kitty stared at her companion for a moment, then she put her hand into +her pocket and took out a very fat sealskin purse. She opened it and +held it out to Elma. + +"Help yourself," she said. + +Elma looked into the purse--golden sovereigns lay there in delicious +rows. There must have been at least fifteen sovereigns in the purse. + +"Take as many as you like," said Kitty; "you are heartily welcome." + +"You don't mean it; you can't," replied Elma, turning very pale. + +"Why, what are you hesitating about? You said you wanted some money. +Dear heart alive! everybody wants money in Ireland, we are always +borrowing one from the other. Take as many of those yellow boys as you +fancy, and say no more about it." + +"I am obliged to you, Kitty," said Elma. "I think you are quite +splendid; but can I--do you really mean it--can I take five?" + +"Five, bless you! Take them all if you want them. I have only to write +to the dear old man at home, and ask him to send me a fiver or a tenner, +and he'll do it. You need have no qualms, and----" + +"But when must I give them back?" + +"Whenever you like." + +"You don't really require them on Monday, do you?" + +"I don't require them at any special date. Pay me when it is convenient. +Here, you may as well have ten." + +"I could not; it is too much," said Elma. She put her hands behind her +back, her teeth were chattering, and she was trembling all over. She was +afraid that Kitty must read her through and through. + +"Oh, what is the use of bothering?" cried Kitty Malone. "If you won't +take ten, take eight. Let me see, that leaves me seven over. Seven +sovereigns. I don't ever want to spend any money here. Of course I may +require a new dress when the fashions change. I must keep strictly up to +date now that I have joined the Tug-of-war; but in case I do, I'll just +send a wire to Aunt Bridget in Dublin and she'll send me over a beauty. +Ah, she's a dear old soul, Aunt Bridget is. There, Elma, do take the +money and be quick about it." + +Elma--feeling sick and low, hating herself as she had never hated +herself before--dipped her greedy fingers into Kitty's sealskin purse, +and soon extracted eight of the golden sovereigns. These she slipped +into her pocket. + +"I cannot tell you how grateful I am to you," she said. + +"Not another word!" cried Kitty. "I have forgotten all about it already. +Now shall we have a run? I want to catch up to Bessie; I have not had a +word with her for the whole of the day." + +Elma no longer required to keep Kitty Malone in the background. She had +now gained her object. Hoping against hope to extract from half a +sovereign to fifteen shillings from the generous-hearted Irish girl, she +suddenly found herself the lucky possessor of eight whole sovereigns. +Never in the whole course of her life had Elma possessed anything +approaching such a sum. Her mother was very poor. She had only one +sister, a daily governess. All Elma's people were hard up, as the +expression goes, and Elma herself only attended Middleton School because +an aunt paid her school fees. Hardly ever could the girl secure even +half a crown for her own pleasure. She hated poverty, she detested the +small privations which slender means involved. She was in no sense of +the word a high, refined character; on the contrary, there was something +small in her nature, something little about her. She had ever cringed to +the wealthy. She had made friends with Gwin Harley, who was rich, +high-spirited, and generous, but also very conscientious, and with +abundance of common sense. A glance had told Elma that she could never +ask Gwin to lend her money; but Kitty--innocent, frank, generous +Kitty--had proved an all too easy prey. + +At that moment Elma despised Kitty as much as she was grateful to her. +The eight pounds, which she might return whenever she liked, lay lightly +in her pocket; she almost danced in her excitement and sense of triumph. +Of course Kitty would never tell--that went without saying; and in the +meantime she was rich beyond her wildest dreams. The girls had joined +forces when they came up to the stream which led across a wide field +called the Willow Meadow. Kitty linked her hand inside Bessie's arm, and +Elma and Alice walked side by side. + +"Well," exclaimed Alice, "how did you get on with her, Elma?" + +"With whom?" asked Elma. + +"Oh, need you ask? That detestable Kitty Malone. I saw you sucking up to +her, and wondered why." + +"I wish you would not use such horrid, vulgar words, Alice," said Elma. +"You know you are really breaking the rules of the Tug-of-war. We are +requested not to make use of slang." + +"I forgot," said Alice. "But if it comes to that," she continued, "I +believe I shall have to leave the society if I can never express my +feelings with regard to Kitty Malone." + +"But do you really dislike her as much as ever?" asked Elma, who, shabby +and mean as she was, in her poor little soul could scarcely bring +herself to run down generous Kitty just then. + +"Dislike her!" cried Alice. "I hate her--there! I suppose that's flat +and plain enough." + +"It certainly is." + +"But you don't mean to say--it is impossible, Elma--that you see +anything to like in her?" + +"Well, of course," answered Elma--who wished to propitiate Alice, for +her nature was to be all things to all men--"I can see at a glance that +she is not your style; she has not got your cleverness and refinement, +dear Alice." + +"Oh, bother!" cried Alice. But all the same she was pleased, and when +Elma tucked her small hand inside of her arm Alice did not shake her +off. + +"Any one can see that," continued Elma Lewis; "but I don't think she is +quite so bad as you paint her, Alice." + +Alice's private opinion of Elma was that she was a little toad, and she +now managed to extricate herself from the smaller girl's clasp. + +"I shall never like her," she said. "There is no good in your praising +her to me. If you mean to be her friend you must do so from a double +motive." + +"How uncharitable of you!" cried Elma, coloring crimson as she spoke. + +"Oh, I can guess it very well, my dear," pursued Alice. "But for you she +would not be a member of the Tug-of-war. What would have been a +delightful society, a pleasure to the best girls at Middleton School, +will be nothing whatever but a ridiculous farce, a scene of high comedy, +something contemptible, now that Kitty Malone has joined it. But for you +she would never have been asked to join. Why did you do it, Elma?" + +"For no reason in particular," answered Elma. + +"That is certainly not true, and you know it." + +"I cannot think why you speak to me in that tone," said Elma. "What have +I done to you that you should think so badly of me?" + +"Oh, I don't think badly of you, Elma, not specially; but I have always +seen that whatever you did, you did with a reason. In your own way you +are clever, you are extremely worldly wise. There are certain people who +would commend you; but you are not like the rest of us. You are not like +Gwin for instance, nor like Bessie, nor like me. Yes, I will frankly say +so, I am better than you, Elma. I have not got your double motives for +everything. You are only a girl now; I don't know what you will be when +you are a woman!" + +The thought of the eight sovereigns so comfortably reposing in her +pocket made Elma able to bear this very direct attack. She determined to +take it good-humoredly; there was no use whatever in quarreling with +Alice. Accordingly she said cheerfully: + +"You may think what you like of me, Ally, but I hope in the course of +years that you will find I am not so bad as you paint me." + +Shortly afterward the girls parted, and each went on her way to her +special home. Bessie ran briskly up the short avenue which led to her +house, waving farewells to her companions as she did so. Alice and Kitty +were obliged to content themselves one with the other; and Elma, in the +highest good-humor, her heart bubbling over with bliss, departed in the +direction of her own humbler residence. She had to walk quite a mile and +a half, and at the end of that time she found herself in a much poorer +part of the large suburb where Middleton School was situated. The houses +here were of a humble description--not even semidetached, but standing +in long, dismal rows, a good many of them backing on to a +railway-cutting. These houses boasted of no small gardens, but ran flush +with the road. They were built of the universal yellow brick, and were +about as ugly as they could well be. + +Elma paused at No. 124 Constantine Road. As she did so, a high, rasping, +and fretful voice screamed to her from an upper window: + +"You are later than ever to-day, Elma, and mother has been fretting +herself into hysterics. Do come in at once and be quick about it." + +Elma mounted the two or three steps which led to the hall door, and +pulled the bell with considerably more energy than was her wont. The +sovereigns were in her pocket; they made all the difference to her +between misery and happiness. She entered the house in high good-humor. + +"What is it, Carrie?" she called to the fretful voice, which was now +approaching nearer. + +The next moment a slatternly-looking girl appeared at the head of the +stairs. + +"It's very easy for you to ask what is it," cried its owner, speaking in +high dudgeon. "You promised to be in between five and six, and it is now +between seven and eight. Here is all my chance of an evening's fun +knocked on the head. It's just like you, Elma; that it is." + +"Oh, never mind now; please don't scold me," said Elma. "What is +it--about mother; has she been bad again?" + +"Oh, it's the usual thing; she has had one of those dismal letters from +father. I can't imagine why she thinks anything about them. It came just +when we were all sitting down to dinner, and she began to cry in that +feeble sort of fashion." + +"Oh, don't, Carrie; she will hear you," said Elma. "Pray go back to your +room, and I'll be with you in a minute. I have something to tell you. +You won't be quite so miserable when you hear my news." + +Carrie stared at Elma, and then slowly backed until she reached a very +minute bedroom which she and Elma shared together. + +Elma ran briskly upstairs. Turning to her right, she knocked at a +certain door; waited for an answer, but none came; then turned the +handle and went in. The Venetian blinds were down here, and the form of +a woman was seen lying in the center of a big bed. + +"Is that you, Elma?" said a voice; and then the head was buried once +more in the pillows, and no further notice whatever was taken. + +"Yes, mother, I am here," answered Elma. "I was thinking you might like +something nice for your supper--a crab or a lobster, or something of +that sort. Which would be your preference, mother?" + +"A crab or a lobster!" muttered Mrs. Lewis. "You might as well ask me if +I should like a bottle of champagne, or some caviare. One is about as +likely to be forthcoming as the other." + +"I tell you you may choose," said Elma. "I have my hat still on, and +I'll go as far as the fishmonger's, and bring in either a lobster or a +crab." + +Mrs. Lewis raised herself on her elbow as Elma spoke. + +"What are you dreaming about?" she said. "Where have you got the money?" + +"Never mind. I have got the money. Which Would be your preference?" + +"Oh, crab, dear; crab. I like it when it's well dressed; but then Maggie +never can do anything properly." + +"I'll dress it on this occasion," said Elma. "You shall have a good +supper--crab and salad, and--There mother, do keep up heart again; you +give way too much." + +"Ah, child," said poor Mrs. Lewis, "I have had another terrible letter. +He says he is starving; he cannot get work. I made the greatest possible +mistake in allowing him to leave the country." + +"You could do nothing else," said Elma, with a little stamp of her foot. +"You know he would not help you in any way; he had to leave. But there, +mother, you shall tell me the dismal news after tea. You will feel ever +so much better when you have partaken of the dainty meal I mean to get +for you." + +Mrs. Lewis did not say anything further. Elma bent down, touched her +parent on her brow with the lightest possible caress, and then stepped +on tiptoe out of the room. + +"Poor mother!" she muttered. "It is surprising the kind of things that +comfort one; she is soothed at the thought of crab for supper with +salad. Well, that is all right; she will be as amiable and petting to me +as possible for the rest of the day. Now, then, for Carrie. A loose, +untidy, badly, hung together girl like Carrie is a trial to any sister. +However, I know the sort of thing that pleases her. I must be very +careful of my treasure-trove. I shall not spend it lightly; but in +giving my family small unexpected surprises it will be doing me an +immensely good turn." + +Elma now entered the room where Carrie was fuming up and down. + +"Well, what have you to say for yourself, miss?" she cried, when her +younger sister put in an appearance. + +"Only that I am very sorry, Carrie; but to be honest with you, I quite +forgot that you wanted to go out this afternoon. Did I not tell you +that I was engaged to tea at Gwin Harley's?" + +"You are forever with that odious girl," said Carrie. + +"Gwin Harley an odious girl! What in the world do you mean?" + +"What I say. Oh, of course I have seen her, and I know she's pretty, or +some people would think her so; in my opinion she's vastly too stuck up; +and so Sam Raynes says. Sam saw her last Sunday in church, and he said +she wasn't a bit his style." + +"Oh, pray, don't quote Sam Raynes to me," said Elma. "Well, Carrie, of +course I had tea with Gwin, and of course she's about the nicest girl in +the world; and Kitty Malone was there, that scamp of an Irish girl. Oh, +she's not so bad when you get to know her better. And Alice Denvers was +there, and Bessie Challoner. We had quite a nice time. Of course I told +you about that society that I have joined. Well, there are about ten +girls members now, quite the elite of the school. I believe we shall do +a vast lot of good." + +"What does it matter to me," said Carrie, stamping her foot. "I have +lost my pleasant afternoon with Sam. He and his sister promised to meet +me. I was to go with them to the Crystal Palace. Oh, it's too +provoking." + +Carrie still fumed up and down the room. + +"And I have such a dull time," she continued; "those children are quite +past bearing. They wear the very life out of me. See what that little +imp of a Claude did to my dress this afternoon." + +As Carrie spoke she held up a decidedly shabby dress, which bore a huge +rent at one side. + +"He caught it in his nasty little boot," said the girl. "He was +scrambling up on my knee, and made such a fuss, and there happened to be +a tiny hole, and then he wriggled and wriggled, and made it worse and +worse. The skirt is not fit to wear. I don't know what I shall do. I +really have not a blessed farthing to buy myself another new thing." + +Elma made a careful calculation. + +"How much was that stuff a yard?" she asked suddenly. + +"What does it matter, Elma? It's worn out now, and there's an end of it. +You cannot buy me another gown; so where's the good of talking." + +"But perhaps I can," said Elma dubiously. + +"My dear Elma what do you mean?" + +"Well, I am not quite certain, of course," said Elma; "and it would have +to be very cheap--very cheap indeed. But what color would you like, +Carrie?" + +"Oh, blue," said Carrie, "rather light in shade. I love blue; and Sam +says I look sweet in it." + +"If you begin to quote Sam again I don't think I'll give you sixpence +for anything. You know perfectly well that I loathe and detest him." + +"Oh, that's your way," said Carrie. "You think it is very fine to detest +all the young men in our set; but I tell you Sam is a right good fellow, +and he has his ideas as much as anybody. He is going to get a raise, +too, at Christmas, and--" + +"Are you engaged to him, Carrie?" asked Elma suddenly. + +"Not yet. Oh, we don't think of any such thing; but I like to go with +him. He is great fun, and so is Florrie. Florrie doesn't mind a bit how +often she acts gooseberry." + +Elma went and stood by the window. She looked gloomily out. How shabby +and sordid her home was; how miserable everything seemed! Carrie was +really a trial to any sister. Elma wondered if in the future she would +have to tolerate Sam Raynes as her brother-in-law. A sick feeling crept +over her. She was not a particularly refined girl; but in her school +life she associated with girls of a totally different caliber from poor +Carrie, and a shudder ran through her frame as she thought over her +sister. + +"If you mean anything by that talk about a new frock, you had better +speak out plainly," said Carrie. "If you can really give me money to get +the stuff, something pretty and cheap, I could buy it to-night; there is +still plenty of time." + +"Put on your hat and we'll go out at once," said Elma. + +Carrie rushed to her wardrobe, took down her frowzy, over-trimmed hat, +stuck it on her towzled head, drew a pair of gloves up her arms, and +announced herself ready. The two girls ran briskly downstairs. Mrs. +Lewis called from her bedroom after them: + +"Where are you two going?" she said. "Am I to be left alone in the +house?" + +"No, Maggie is in the kitchen," called out Carrie. + +"Oh, I am sick of being by myself, and I want my supper." + +"I must go out to choose the crab, mother," said Elma. + +"Oh, the crab," replied Mrs. Lewis in a mollified tone. "If you are +going really to get one, Elma, be sure you see that it has plenty of +coral in it, and choose nice, crisp lettuce. I care nothing for crab +without lettuce." + +"All right mother; I'll manage," said Elma. + +The girls found themselves in the street. + +"So you are going to get mother crab and lettuce for supper," cried +Carrie. "Then I suppose after all you don't mean to give me money to buy +stuff for a new dress?" + +"Yes, I do, Carrie, if you'll only have patience. I said I would, and +there's an end of it." + +"But how have you got the money?" + +"Never you mind; I have got it." + +Carrie walked on, her spirits rose, and she began to talk in her high +staccato voice, allowing each person who passed to hear what she was +saying. + +"This is Thursday," she said. "I shall get up at daylight to-morrow +morning, and I shall cut out the dress and put it in hand. I am always +home between four and five in the afternoon, so I can work at it again +until late at night. Then on Saturday, thank goodness! there's a whole +holiday. Oh, I shall manage to get it done by the evening, and Sam and I +can have a jolly time together in the park on Sunday." + +"We will buy the crab first," said Elma, "and then we can call at +Macpherson's on our way home." + +"They have sweet things at Macpherson's," said Carrie. "You really are a +very good-natured old thing, Elma." + +"I am glad you think so," said Elma, her lips parted in a slightly +satirical smile. + +Carrie, now beaming all over with good-humor, assisted in the choosing +of the crab; she further volunteered to carry this luxury home, and +suggested that radishes would be a great addition to the lettuce. + +"Is there anything else you think mother would like?" asked Elma. + +"Oh, a bottle of really good Guinness' stout," said Carrie. + +"Capital, Carrie! Why, you are getting quite a head for housekeeping. +We'll give mother such a good supper, and it will do her a world of +good." + +"Poor old dear, so it will," said jubilant Carrie. + +Having purchased the materials for an appetizing meal, the girls now +entered a large establishment which, being supported by people of +extremely slender means, could only afford to indulge in the cheapest +articles. Carrie desired the shopman to exhibit cheap materials in +different shades of blue. She finally selected one, turquoise in color, +and wonderfully pretty, which cost the large sum of sevenpence +three-farthings per yard. She ordered the required length to be cut, and +Elma took out her purse to pay for it. + +She did not at all want her sister to see how many sovereigns that purse +contained, and turned her back slightly as she laid one on the counter. + +"Well, how you got it baffles me!" cried Carrie. + +"Pray, don't speak so loud," said Elma; "they really will think that I +stole it if you go on giving me those sort of staccato rises of your +eyebrows. It's all the better for you; that sovereign has got you a new +dress." + +"So it has, and you are an old darling," said Carrie. "I'll tell Sam +all about you on Sunday, Elma. By the way, what a good idea; wouldn't +you like to come with us? There's Sam's cousin, Maurice, a capital +fellow--Maurice Jones." + +"Oh, no; don't speak of him," said Elma. She gave a shudder, and turned +her head aside. + +The materials for the dress were purchased, even down to the linings and +buttons; and Carrie, holding her parcel tucked comfortably under her +arm, started home, Elma accompanying her. Carrie was so excited and +delighted with her dress that she had no time even to think of the +wonderful problem as to how Elma had got the money. + +When they reached the house Elma ran into the kitchen and prepared to +dress the crab. She did so well, and when the dainty little meal was +upon the table, ran upstairs to bring her mother down. + +"Now, mother, get up at once," she said. + +"Get up. Oh. I can't," said Mrs. Lewis; "I have got such a splitting +headache." + +"But the crab is downstairs, and I have dressed it myself, just in the +way you like best. I have brought in a little cayenne pepper, too, for I +know you don't care for crab without it; and the lettuce is wonderfully +crisp and fresh, and there are some radishes. Oh, and Carrie reminded me +that you would not care for crab without your stout." + +"I know," said Mrs. Lewis in a plaintive voice; "your father would never +allow me to touch crab or lobster without stout. Ah, but those good old +days are gone!" + +"Not quite mother, for there is a bottle of Guinness's waiting at your +disposal." + +"Oh, is there?" said Mrs. Lewis. She raised herself on her elbow. "Then +I think I'll go down," she said. + +"Well, make yourself smart, mother. I shall be waiting for you, and so +will Carrie." + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +THE HEAD-MISTRESS AND THE CABBAGE-ROSE. + + +Middleton School, which consisted of from six to seven hundred girls, +was kept in a state of discipline not so much by punishments as by a +very strict code of honor. There were certain things which no Middleton +girl who respected herself would ever dream of doing. There were other +things which she would do as a matter of course. For instance, she would +uphold her school through thick and thin, allowing no outsider to run it +down. To be a member of Middleton School insured her friendship with all +the other girls in the school. The _esprit de corps_ of this celebrated +day school was exceptionally strong. Even in after-life its members met +as friends, never forgetting that they were at one time schoolfellows in +one of the best and most thorough colleges of learning in the whole of +England. + +As the fees for instruction were necessarily low, and as the school was +therefore open to all classes of girls, from the very rich to those who +had but limited means, a rule, and a very strong one, was that all money +and class distinctions were to be absolutely abolished. The girls, so +long as they belonged to the school, were absolutely on the same +footing, notwithstanding the fact that their home-lives might be very +far removed the one from the other. Among the most emphatic rules of +the school--a rule which, if it were disobeyed, would cause ostracism on +the part of the girls and the gravest reprimand, not to say a chance of +expulsion, on the part of the teachers--was the borrowing of money. +Money was supposed not to be mentioned between the girls; and as to a +poor girl borrowing from a rich, it was considered about the blackest +crime which could take place in Middleton School. Now, Elma, knew this +fact perfectly well, and when she took the eight pounds from Kitty +Malone she was aware of the grave risk which she ran. More depended on +her keeping up a good character in the school than her companions were +at all aware of. She was sent to Middleton School by an aunt who to a +certain extent had adopted her--her mother could not possibly afford to +pay the fees, small as they were. + +Elma knew well as she lay down to sleep that night that if the little +transaction between herself and Kitty were known she would be +practically ruined for life. No other girl belonging to the school would +lend money even if it were asked for, so strong was the feeling on this +head; but Kitty knew nothing about it; she had not been long at +Middleton, and the subject had not been mentioned to her. Elma sincerely +trusted to Kitty's never alluding to it. Kitty had promised not to tell; +and Elma believed, wild and erratic as she was, that when her word was +once given, she would respect it. When she had asked Kitty to lend her +money she had intended only to take half a sovereign; she wanted this in +order to pay her subscription to the Tug-of-war Society; but when Kitty +generously opened her purse and told her to help herself, the temptation +had proved far too strong. Before she quite knew what she was doing she +had taken eight sovereigns; had put herself absolutely into Kitty's +power, and had run the chance of being ruined for life. Still, that +first night she slept soundly, and awoke in the morning with a sense of +bliss. She had still a little over seven sovereigns; not her own, and +yet in one sense quite her own, for Kitty had said there was no hurry +about the replacing of the money. Oh, yes, she was quite certain that no +one would find out. She opened her sleepy eyes, yawned, and saw Carrie +sitting at the window, busily employed cutting out her dress. Elma +remarked crossly at the blaze of light. + +"Oh, don't say you mind it, you old dear," cried Carrie. "I can't see +unless I have plenty of light, and it's most important how I cut this +sleeve. I mean it to be puffy and yet not too puffy, and the elbows must +fit exactly in the right place. What a pity it is, Elma, that you and I +are not the same sort of figure. I am nearly double as big as you. It +would be so convenient if you could be my model; then I might fit my +things like a glove. Ah, well, I suppose there's nothing perfect in the +world." + +Elma turned on her other side. + +"If you talk to me any more," she said, "I shall become so cross as to +be unbearable. Go on with your dress if you must, but don't speak." + +Elma returned to the land of dreams, and Carrie cut and snipped, and +basted and pinned, until it was time for her to go downstairs to +breakfast. Elma got up at her usual hour, ate her breakfast with +scarcely a remark, and started for school. When she got there the +different members of the Tug-of-war Society were hanging about the +doors. The school was not yet opened and the girls who belonged to the +society nodded to one another and whispered and smiled. Among the party +waiting at the door were Alice Denvers, Kitty Malone, and Bessie +Challoner. Gwin Harley had not yet arrived. It was never Gwin's stately +way to be either too early or too late for school; she generally +appeared on the scene, driving up in her pretty little phaeton, just as +the clock struck nine. The other girls always made way for this dainty +little turnout, and Gwin would spring carelessly to the ground, give a +direction to the smart tiger who sat behind, and who immediately took +the reins, and then, turning with a gay nod to her companions, would +enter the school with them. + +Gwin was certainly the pride of the school. The girls who were not her +absolute friends looked at her with awe, wonder, and admiration. The +girls who were her friends bragged of the fact to their companions. It +was a pleasure even to look at Gwin, for, although she never overdressed +herself, she was always so wonderfully dainty--her neat little shoes, +her lovely stockings, the fine quality of her cambric handkerchiefs, the +delicate scent which clung to them, the glossy braids of her ever +exquisitely arranged hair, and the very set of that perfectly plain +sailor hat with its band of white ribbon, were all the acme of +perfection. Oh, they all betokened wealth and taste, taste and wealth. +No wonder the girls worshiped Gwin. She never boasted of her wealth, +she never brought it prominently forward; but for all that it pervaded +her from the top of her head to the point of her pretty bronze shoes. + +Kitty now gave Gwin an earnest and longing look. There was a peculiar +expression about Kitty's face: a sort of new, thoughtful look, as though +something was worrying her and causing her to cudgel her brains to quite +a remarkable extent. Kitty Malone had never yet been affected with +shyness, nor was she shy now. Just as Gwin's carriage appeared and the +other girls made way for it as was their wont, and Elma approached quite +close to Alice, meaning to make some remark to her, what she never +afterward remembered, Kitty ran straight up to Gwin and clasped her by +the hand. + +"I want to say something to you very badly," she began. + +"How do you do, Kitty?" answered Gwin in her pleasant high-bred voice. +"You want to say something to me? But the bell has just rung; we must go +into school." + +"I mean after school," continued Kitty. "Can I walk with you during +recess?" + +"Oh, but please, Gwin," cried Elma at that point, "you promised to walk +with me to-day; don't you remember?" + +"Yes, and you promised to walk with me, Miss Harley," exclaimed a girl +of the name of Marcia Tyndal. + +"But it is so important, Gwin," pleaded Kitty, bringing that peculiar +Irish quality into her voice which it was difficult to resist. + +"Ah, now do, Gwin," she continued; "do let me walk with you just during +this recess. The others may have you for every other recess until +Christmas; but do let me be with you just for to-day." + +"I think you must, Kitty," said Gwin. "Elma, you won't mind, will you? +Marcia, you and I can have to-morrow instead of to-day; is it a +bargain?" + +"Oh, I don't mind," said Marcia Tyndal in a good natured voice, +shrugging her fat shoulders as she spoke. + +Then the girls trooped into school, prayers began, and immediately +afterward they all assembled at their different classes. + +Kitty was restless and nervous, she could not settle to her work. She +was more _distrait_ and inattentive even than usual. The younger girls, +who delighted in her, and quite prided themselves on having her in their +class, nudged her in vain. + +"Kitty," whispered one little girl quite three years Kitty Malone's +junior, "if you don't open your history book you won't have your lesson +ready when Miss Worrick comes." + +"Oh, I know all that stupid history," cried Kitty in a low voice. "Don't +bother me, Annie, asthore. I can't be teased. I have got something in +the back of my head." + +"Something in the back of your head?" whispered Annie. + +"Yes, yes; but hush, alanna! I can't let it out; it's bothering me +entirely. There, if I must look at the stupid history, I must. What part +are we doing, Mary Davies?" + +"Oh, it's about Charles the First." + +"Poor martyr! Shame to England to cut off his head!" Kitty bent over her +book, but soon her erratic fancy had started off in another direction. +She was sent to the bottom of the class when the history lesson came on, +and was looked at with growing disfavor by Miss Worrick, a particularly +painstaking and earnest young teacher. + +"Really, Miss Malone, if this sort of thing goes on I must report you," +she said. "It is pure inattention. If you wish to take any position in +the school you must make up your mind that while in school you must +work." + +"And while out of school I must play," retorted Kitty. "Ah, then, it's +little of the play I get. If I had my share of the play I could do my +share of work." + +"Come, you must not answer me," said Miss Worrick. "Now, sit down and +read up that chapter in your history. You will not be allowed to go out +during recess this morning." + +"Not go out during recess?" cried Kitty in horror; "but it's most +important. Ah, now, do let me out; just excuse me to-day, won't you? +I'll be as good as gold to-morrow, and better; but excuse me to-day; +please, please. Say you will; for I really must go. I was to meet Gwin +Harley, the darling; and it's put out she would be awfully if I wasn't +with her. You'll let me out to-day, won't you? Please say yes." + +"I do not understand you, Miss Malone. When I say a thing I mean it. +You are not to go out during recess." + +Kitty's bright face fell; the cloud which had more or less hovered +round her during the entire morning deepened. She sank into her seat +with a heavy sigh. + +"Never mind, Kitty; we all of us have to stay in sometimes," whispered +little Mary Davies. + +"Take a chocolate out of my pocket, darlin', and don't talk to me any +more," was Kitty's answer. "I am sad past bearing. Not to see Gwin when +I had arranged it all; but I will, I must! There, take a second +chocolate if you want it; they are full of cream. But just leave me to +my own thoughts for a bit. I am so worried I don't know whether I am on +my head or my heels." + +"Silence, girls--no whispering!" called the mathematical teacher, who +now came on the scene. + +Poor Kitty's morning began badly, and it certainly was destined to go on +badly. None of her lessons were prepared with the slightest care; she +went down lower and lower in class, and each teacher gave her an +imposition or some other punishment. When recess came she alone in the +whole class was required to remain in the room. + +The rest of the girls looked at her with pity. + +"She's such an old dear, although quite the idlest and most ignorant +person I ever came across," said Mary Davies to her companions. + +"Yes," whispered another little girl with fat rosy cheeks and round +eyes; "but did you ever taste such chocolate creams? Why, they must +cost a halfpenny apiece. I do love to sit next to her; she says I may +dive my hand into her pocket as often as I like." + +"Oh, she's an old love!" echoed all the girls: "but what a pity it is +that she won't learn." + +"She does not want to learn," said Mary Davies. "Learning would spoil +her; she is a pet." + +Meanwhile in the playground Gwin Harley waited in vain for Kitty to join +her. + +"Does any one know where Kitty Malone is?" she said, addressing one of +the girls in Kitty's class. + +"She is kept in for an imposition; she did not know her history, and +Miss Worrick said she was to stay in," answered Mary Davies. + +"Oh, well, I suppose I can see her another time," said Gwin. At that +moment she met Elma's anxious eyes. + +Elma was just about to dart to the side of her friend, when, to the +amazement of all the girls, Kitty walked calmly across the playground. + +"Oh Gwin, I must speak to you; it is about Alice. You know, you and +Alice are great friends. Things get worse and worse, and they are almost +past bearing. Last night I heard her sobbing in bed. She sobbed and +sobbed, and at last I could stand no more of it, and sprang out of bed, +and bent over her and said: 'Alice, is it about me you are crying?' and +she said: 'Oh, yes, Kitty, it is;' and I said, 'And why 'Oh, yes, +Kitty?' What has poor Kitty done to you?" + +"'I am not happy,' answered Alice. 'Since you came everything has +changed; you have made my home miserable to me. I don't like your ways.' + +"'Have you made up your mind never to be friends with me?' I asked. + +"'Yes,' said Alice. 'I wish you would go away.' She sat up in bed then +with her tear-stained face, and looked at me ever so earnestly. 'Tell +mother that you would rather go to some other house--that you won't stay +here. I never could stand vulgar girls, and you are one.' + +"Oh Gwin, I felt so mad. You don't think me a vulgar girl, do you?" + +"Tell me the whole," said Gwin in a low voice. + +"Oh, there is not much more. Alice was in a regular temper. She buried +her face in the clothes, and though I tried pinching her, and pulling +her, and petting her even, not another word would she utter. Now, you +must see for yourself, Gwin, that if this sort of thing goes on I shall +have to return home, and then the old dad will be fretted, and he will +think that I don't want to learn manners nor to get learning into me. Oh +dear, I don't want to fret him, although I hate England. I have just +been wondering if you would speak to Alice." + +"Yes, certainly," answered Gwin. "I--" Her words were interrupted. + +"Miss Malone, do I see you in the playground?" said a stern voice. Miss +Worrick had appeared on the scene. + +"Why, then, yes, Miss Worrick, you do. It's a fine day, isn't it; and +the air is most refreshing," said Kitty in her most impertinent tones. + +"Do you know that you have distinctly disobeyed me? I forbade you to +leave the schoolroom during recess. How dared you do so?" + +"There wasn't much daring about it. I walked to the door, opened it, and +came out. I had made a previous engagement, and it was not at all +convenient to break it. I told you so at the time, did I not?" + +For answer Miss Worrick took Kitty by the arm and led her across the +playground. + +"I must take you to Miss Sherrard," she said. "I cannot manage a +disobedient girl like you." + +She opened a side door, and, still holding Kitty by the arm, led her +down a long passage and into a small room, where she desired her to wait +while she fetched the head-mistress. + +Miss Sherrard was a little woman, but she had a native dignity which is +beyond and above all mere personal appearance. She had a keen and +commanding eye, a somewhat pale face, an upright little figure. She was +not only short in stature, but slight; nevertheless, there was not a +mistress in the great school who did not hold her in awe as well as +admiration, and not a girl, with the exception, perhaps, of Kitty +Malone, who did not do her reverence. + +When the door was shut behind Kitty, she drummed impatiently on the bare +mahogany table near which she had been placed, then walked to the window +and looked out. From her position she could catch a glimpse of Gwin +Harley pacing up and down the playground with Elma Lewis. She saw Alice +come up and talk to Gwin; she noticed that Gwin and Elma paused, then +that Alice slipped to the other side of Gwin, and the three walked +slowly up and down. As they walked they talked. Alice nodded her head +once or twice; Elma made emphatic grimaces; Gwin alone looked quiet, +calm, and stately. + +"They are talking about me," thought the Irish girl, and an angry +feeling rose in her heart. "Is it for this I have left the dear old dad, +and the beautiful home, and the animals, and Aunt Bridget, and Aunt +Honora? Oh, is it for this I have left dear Old Ireland, may her heart +be blessed! to come here to be slighted, to be made little of, to be +joked at! Am I Kitty Malone, or am I somebody else? Oh! my heart will +break, my heart will break!" + +"Miss Malone, I am sorry to hear this of you," said a very calm, very +distinct, and withal very kind voice, just at Kitty's back. Kitty turned +abruptly, and said aloud: + +"Oh, and did you overhear me?" She then involuntarily dropped a courtesy +to the head-mistress. + +Miss Sherrard shut the door behind her. + +"I am sorry," she began, "to learn from Miss Worrick that you are +showing insubordination and disobedience." + +"Why, then, now, and won't you let me tell my own story in my own way?" +said Kitty. + +In spite of herself, Miss Sherrard gave an involuntary smile. It soon +vanished, but Kitty had caught the glint in the eye and the tremble +round the lips. "Why, then I see at a glance that you have the kind +heart," she said; "you thought to keep it in, but I saw it breaking out +just then. You'll let me tell my own story, won't you?" + +"That seems fair enough," said Miss Sherrard. She seated herself as she +spoke on one of the bare, comfortless chairs, and looked full up at +Kitty. + +Kitty was dressed according to Rule IV. of the Tug-of-war Society. She +wore a decidedly fashionable dress, the sleeves well puffed out at the +shoulders, fitting nicely at the elbows, and with ruffles of lace, real +lace, round the wrists. Round Kitty's throat also there were ruffles of +lace; the neck of her dress was cut a little low, showing the soft, full +contour of her exquisitely-curved throat. Her waist was clasped with a +belt of solid silver, and in front she wore a great bunch of +cabbage-roses. The cabbage-rose has a scent which, when once it assails +the nostrils, can never afterward be forgotten. Miss Sherrard, in spite +of herself, gave a little sniff. + +Quick as lightning Kitty saw it, and detached the bunch of roses from +her belt. + +"Now, will you have them?" she said. "Ah, do now, just to please me, +Kitty Malone; they came all the way from Old Ireland this morning. Stay, +I'll pin them into the front of your dress. Hold easy a moment dear +woman, and you'll have as neat a little bunch as ever you clapped your +two eyes on." + +Miss Sherrard could not help once again letting that ghost of a smile +play round her lips, and then vanish. + +"But really," she said--"oh, thank you for the roses; yes, they are very +sweet; yes, delicious! She bent her head and sniffed quite audibly. + +"Ah, then, aren't they refreshing, and aren't they melting the anger +down in your heart? Say they are now--say they are. You see you never +had an out-and-out wild Irish girl to manage before. Well, and what is +it you want with me? I'll be as civil as you please, and as willing to +listen to the words of wisdom, if only you'll let me first tell my own +story." + +"It is only fair that you should be allowed to tell your own tale," +said Miss Sherrard; "but please understand that I am very angry. Miss +Worrick's story has amazed me. Do you know. Kitty Malone, of what you +are accused?" + +"Well, I do, and I don't; but I should like to hear the crime spoken of +by your pretty lips. What is it? Something black of course; black things +are always laid to the door of Kitty Malone." + +"The crime, Miss Malone, is the very grave sin of disobedience. You must +know that in a great school of this kind, if there were not perfect +obedience there would be no order at all." + +"True for you, it looks like it; but then, as far as I can see--and I +have watched all the girls pretty closely of late--I am the only black +sheep. Now, I should think that one black sheep in a great big orderly +place of this kind would make a sort of diversion. You would all be +after her, and joking at her, and thinking which of you could get her +under control. Well, I am the black sheep, and I suppose I am sorry." + +"Don't talk any more, Kitty; listen to me." + +"Yes; what is it?" + +"You have been disobedient; you were very inattentive over your history +lesson, not knowing it at all. Miss Worrick says, as a matter of fact, +you did not even trouble to open your book, and when the time came for +you to go through your lesson you were not able to answer a single +question. For this extreme carelessness she desired you to stay in the +schoolroom during morning recess. She said you pleaded hard that she +would excuse you, not liking to take the punishment which you richly +deserved; but Miss Worrick, very justly insisted on her word being +obeyed. What then, was her astonishment to see you in the playground +walking calmly up and down with Gwin Harley." + +"Yes, dear; and what else could you expect?" answered Kitty. + +"What else could I expect? I don't understand." + +"Well, was it likely now that I would stay in that close, stifling +schoolroom when the sun was shining and there was a bird on a tree +outside singing to me as loud as ever it could? And I had made an +arrangement with Gwin Harley to walk up and down with her during recess, +and the darling girl had put off two others for me, and was waiting for +me. Don't you think it was about natural that I should disobey Miss +Worrick, whom I never cared twopence for, and go out to Gwin Harley, +whom I love? Of course I knew I was disobedient, and I supposed she +would punish me; but I didn't think she would have me up for you to +lecture me." + +"You behaved very badly indeed," said Miss Sherrard; "and you are now +talking in an extremely silly way." + +Kitty bowed her head; the light went out of her eyes, her face turned +pale. + +"What punishment will you invent to torture me with?" she said at last +in a low voice. "I suppose I have done wrong, and I am willing to take +the punishment. What is it?" + +"Of course you must be punished," said the head-mistress; "it would +never do to allow disobedience is the school. You see, Kitty--" + +"Oh, bless you, bless you, for calling me by my Christian name," +muttered Kitty Malone. + +"Kitty, I am inclined to take you into my confidence." + +"Are you, indeed? I declare you're an old dear!" + +"You have come to school to learn, have you not?" + +"Not a bit of it," answered Kitty; "I came to school to please the old +dad." + +"Your father?" + +"Yes, the dear old dad, the dearest, the best in the world." + +"But what did he send you here for?" + +"Well, I suppose to get knowledge and manners. Ah, bad luck to them! and +I suppose also to tame me down a bit. He said he never could manage that +at Castle Malone." + +Miss Sherrard once more gave that faint involuntary smile. + +"Your father sent you here," she said, "to put you under discipline. +While you are in this school, my dear girl, you must obey me, and also +the other teachers. If you are disobedient the other girls will be +disobedient, and then where should we all be?" + +"It would be a lark!" muttered Kitty, with sparkling eyes. + +"Don't interrupt, and please listen. I should be very sorry to send you +back to Castle Malone in disgrace. I should be sorry to have to write to +your father in order to tell him that his Kitty, whom he loves--his +bright, pretty, lovable daughter--can never learn manners nor +accomplishments, nor be tamed in the very least. There are from six to +seven hundred girls in this school, who all now know about your very +daring act of disobedience. Were I not to punish you they would be +astonished, and some of them might even go to the length of copying your +behavior. You see this for yourself, don't you?" + +"Oh, I see it plain enough," answered Kitty; "plain as a pikestaff. +What's the punishment to be?" + +Miss Sherrard hesitated. Once more she looked at Kitty; Kitty's eyes +were as bright as stars. + +"You need not be afraid," said the pupil in an encouraging voice. "I am +nothing of a coward; I'll take anything in reason. Is it a flogging you +are thinking of ordering for me?" + +"Oh, no; we never flog in this school," said Miss Sherrard in a shocked +voice. + +"Why, then, if it is something in the shape of learning a lesson it will +go cruel with me. I don't care for learning, and----" + +"I am afraid, Kitty, that I must give you the kind of punishment which +all the school may know about. All the school now knows of your +disobedience, and it must also be well aware of your punishment." + +"Good gracious! this sounds exciting," answered Kitty. "I am to have a +punishment that all the school will know about." + +"Yes, it is this. To-morrow morning, just before recess, you are to go +up to Miss Worrick, and tell her before the entire school that you are +sorry you disobeyed her; you are then to offer to stay in during the +play hour." + +"If that's all," said Kitty, "it is not much of a bother. I am to say I +am sorry, and I am to stay in to-morrow. You won't object to my +bringing--" + +"I'll hear of no conditions," answered Miss Sherrard, starting to her +feet. "Go away now, my dear girl, and please remember that your father +sent you here to learn, that I trust you will learn, and that you will +also endeavor to be good to--to please me, Kitty." + +Kitty's eyes filled with sudden tears. + +"You are very kind," she murmured. "I know I should soon learn to love +you. You wouldn't mind letting me give you a hug, would you?" + +"I will certainly kiss you, dear, but no demonstration, please. Kitty, I +know you have a warm heart; but don't let it lead you into mischief. +There is much for you to learn in England, as I doubt not there would be +much for an English girl to learn in your country." + +"Ah, but it is the dearest land in all the world," said Kitty. + +"I am sure it is to you; but say no more now. I will speak to Miss +Worrick; she will expect you to do what I have desired to-morrow." + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +PADDY WHEEL-ABOUT. + + +The next day there was a whisper through the school that Kitty Malone +was about to do public penance. She had already made more or less +sensation in that part of the school where she worked. In her own class +the girls, as has already been stated, adored her; but the other girls +also looked at her with interest. They admired her dress, her free, +careless gait, her upright, erect figure, and the bright, happy glance +in her eyes. They all thought her charming, and the expression of her +face was often so comical, the shrug of her shoulders so ludicrous, that +at a glance she set the girls tittering. + +On this special occasion she sat down between her favorite Mary Davies +and Agnes Moore, and whispered to the former: + +"Ah, then, darling, it is not your place I'll be taking to-day; sure my +head is bothered entirely. But I have got all kinds of nice things about +me. Do you know that I sat up late last night putting a pocket in the +left side of my dress as well as the right, so now the girl on each side +of me can have as many chocolates as she has a fancy for? You dive in +your hand whenever you feel the least bit inclined for a sweetie, Agnes; +and you do the same, Mary Davies; and, Mary, you might pass one on now +and then to that poor, little, thin Katie Trafford at the other end of +the class." + +It was certainly impossible for a girl like Kitty Malone not to be +popular; and the other girls valued her, and thought themselves highly +privileged to be in the same class with her, dunce as she was. + +Kitty had learned her lessons a little better, but the thought of the +public confessions which she was about to make rested heavy on her soul. +It made her restless; and her lessons, although they had been better +prepared, gained her no more marks than on the previous day. + +"I wonder how I ought to do it," she whispered more than once to Agnes +Moore. + +"To do what?" asked Agnes, who was a very earnest little student, and +whose dream was that she might get a remove at the end of the term. +"About what, Kitty? I wish you would not interrupt me." + +"Oh, bother it, dear. Have a chocolate, won't you? What are your lessons +compared to my perplexities? What ought I to say? Ought I to drop a +courtesy or go on my knees? There was an old romance which I found in +the garret at home; and when the heroine did wrong she always dropped +upon her knees and folded her hands, and raised her eyes toward +heaven--is that the way I ought to do it?" + +"Don't, don't, Kitty; you'll make me laugh, and then I'll be sent down. +Please, don't talk to me any more." + +Kitty turned her attention to Mary Davies. + +"Would you, Mary, go on one knee or on two? If you dip your hand down to +the very bottom of my pocket, you'll find some caramels--some people +like them better than chocolate creams." + +"You must not talk to me any more or I'll get into disgrace," whispered +Mary in a low, frightened voice. "Look, Miss Worrick has come into the +room. Now do open your history book, there's a dear girl." + +Kitty bent her curly head over her book. She was really interested in +the cruel fate of the martyr-king, but at that moment she saw nothing +but the picture she was conjuring up each moment before her excited +imagination--the tall girl asking pardon of the little teacher. Was the +girl to go on her knees? + +"It really would be better," thought Kitty. "I'd be lower than her then. +It does seem ridiculous that the big should ask pardon of the little, +and--Oh, Miss Worrick, I beg your pardon; were you speaking to me?" + +"I was, Kitty. Stand up; I am just going to lecture." + +The history lesson began. Kitty did no better than yesterday. It came to +an end. The mathematical teacher took her class, and then the great bell +was rung for recess. Just at the moment when its last note echoed +through the vast school Miss Worrick came a step forward into the room, +and held up her hand to arrest the movement of the classes. She looked +at Kitty with an expectant expression. Kitty returned her gaze, and said +nothing. Kitty Malone felt glued to her seat. For a moment every nerve +seemed paralyzed, her face became crimson, her eyes filled with ready +tears, she looked down, the great tears splashed upon the desk before +her. At that instant she encountered the vindictive and delighted +glance of Alice Denvers. + +Kitty had confided all her trouble to Alice on the previous night, and +Alice at the time had pretended to give a little sympathy; but where was +her sympathy now? + +"I hate her," thought the Irish girl. "No one else would be glad to see +me so miserable." + +"You have something to say to me, have you not, Miss Malone?" said Miss +Worrick in her stiff, precise voice. + +Kitty staggered to her feet. + +"I don't want to say it a bit," she grumbled. + +"Come forward, my dear; come forward." + +Kitty left the protection of her desk, and staggered across the room. +Miss Worrick had mounted a little platform, all the other teachers stood +waiting, and the girls waited also. Kitty looked round, the eyes in each +face seemed multiplied fourfold--the room seemed to be all eyes. She +longed for the mountains, for her father, for Laurie, for the old home. +She hated the school, she hated England. Why was she to be publicly +disgraced? + +"Oh, it is very wrong indeed to ask me to do it," she cried. Then the +following words rushed out: "Miss Worrick, I am sorry I disobeyed you +yesterday, and I'll stay in class to-day. Yes, I will stay; but I hate +every one of you, and I hate England, and I wish I was back again in +dear Old Ireland. Oh, dear! oh, dear! oh, dear! Why was I ever sent into +this horrid, cold, freezing land? Oh, my heart is broken! my heart is +broken!" + +Kitty's sobs were distinctly heard across the great schoolroom. She +returned to her seat. Miss Worrick with a wave of her hand dismissed the +rest of the girls. Kitty bent her head low down upon the desk before +her, and sobbed louder and louder. At last she felt a hand resting +lightly on her shoulder. + +"I know I did it dreadfully, Miss Worrick," she said; "but it was so +bad. Why did you make me, why did you make me?" + +"There, Kitty, it is over now, and you will never disobey your teacher +again as long as you live," said a kind voice, and Kitty raised her eyes +to see, not the face of Miss Worrick, but that of the head-mistress. + +"Oh, Miss Sherrard, how could you make me do it?" she sobbed. "It wasn't +in me. None of the Malones could beg anybody's pardon, and I couldn't go +on my knees when the moment came because they felt stiff, they had no +joints in them. I could not do it properly; no, I could not." + +"You did it, dear, but not very well. You did it, however, and you have +learned your lesson. Now come with me into my private sitting-room. You +and I will have lunch together, and I will excuse you from any more +lessons to-day." + +Kitty Malone never forgot that next hour. Miss Sherrard was an ideal +head-mistress. She had the keenest sympathy with girls. In her long +experience she had met girls of every shade of character, the bold, the +ambitious, the timorous, the idle, the frivolous, the noble, the +earnest. She knew all about the Christian girl as well as the pagan +girl; all about the girl who had a terrible battle with her own evil pro +pensities, and the girl whose nature was so amiable, so gentle, so +sweet, that life would be comparatively easy for her. But although she +had been head-mistress of the great Middleton School now for several +years, she had never before met quite such an extraordinary specimen as +Kitty Malone. Where, however, others would see nothing but a spirit of +frivolity, a love of admiration, dress, pleasure, in Kitty, Miss +Sherrard peeped below the surface and discovered some really noble +qualities. She determined to be very gentle to this wild, willful +girl--to take her, in short, as she was. + +"Oh, I wonder you care to speak to me," said Kitty, when her sobs having +ceased, she stood looking half-repentant, half-rebellious in Miss +Sherrard's private room. + +"You are not to be the subject of our conversation at all for the +present, Kitty," said Miss Sherrard. "Lunch is ready, and you must be +hungry. Would you like to go into my room--it is just next to this--and +wash your hands and brush out your hair?" + +Kitty looked at Miss Sherrard's small and beautifully-kept hands. She +was fastidious to a remarkable degree about her personal appearance. + +"I dare say my hair is somewhat untidy," she said. "I might as well take +a squint at myself in the glass. I never like to look ugly. Is my nose +very red, Miss Sherrard?" + +"Never mind about your appearance," said Miss Sherrard, who could not +help feeling slightly annoyed at what she considered such a very +irrelevant remark. + +"I expect I am a fright," said Kitty standing up and talking half to +herself and half for the benefit of the head-mistress. "Crying always +spoils me. Now, I knew a girl at home, and the more she cried the +prettier she got. She used to let her tears roil down her cheeks in +great drops, and never attempted to wipe them away, and her nose never +got red, and her eyes only got bigger and quite dewy. Now, as to me when +I cry, my nose----" + +"Kitty, will you please remember that I am waiting for lunch," +interrupted Miss Sherrard. + +"Oh, I beg your pardon, ma'am," answered Kitty. She ran into the next +room, examined herself critically in the glass, arranged her hair, +dipped her hands into hot water, and came back looking spruce, bright, +pretty, and once more restored to the highest good-humor. + +"I said yesterday that I would love you, ma'am," she said, as she seated +herself at the other side of the appetizing board. "Oh! what a dear +little pie! I wonder is it pigeon pie" + +"No, it is lamb pie," answered Miss Sherrard. "Will you help yourself?" + +Kitty cut herself a generous slice. + +"I like all sorts of good things," she said. "I am sure I was meant to +do nothing in life but dress well, and look pretty, and have the nicest +food to eat, and----" + +"How dare you?" interrupted Miss Sherrard. Her words coming firm and +strong, the expression on her kind face arrested the idle girl's silly +remarks. + +"What do you mean?" asked Kitty. + +"I mean this, Miss Malone, that you are a girl with a considerable +amount of ability----" + +"Oh, now that I have not got." + +"With a considerable amount of ability," continued Miss Sherrard, "and +with a great many talents." + +"Talents! I thought talents meant genius. Now, I have always and always +been told that I was a dunce of the dunces. It's not joking me you are, +is it, Miss Sherrard?" + +"No, Kitty; I am in very sober earnest. You have been sent to me to make +something of you." + +"Well, my dear woman, I am afraid you won't make much. The fact is, I am +wild through and through. I come of a wild stock. I wish you could see +us at home, and Laurie, and----" + +"You must tell me about your home afterward," said Miss Sherrard. "But +now I have something to say about yourself." + +As she spoke, Miss Sherrard drew her cup of coffee to the side of the +table, leaned back, and looked fixedly into the bright and lovely face +of the girl who sat opposite her. + +"You have read your Bible, have you not?" she said. + +"My Bible!" cried Kitty. "Yes; I read it every day." + +"I am glad to hear that." + +"Why, you don't suppose we are a lot of heathens at Castle Malone, do +you, Miss Sherrard? Father has prayers every morning, and we all troop +in, every one of us, into the big hall. Oh, I wish you could see the +hall, and the pictures of my ancestors, and----" + +"Afterward you shall tell me about them," interrupted Miss Sherrard. "So +you do read your Bible every day. Then I dare say you happen to know +the beautiful story, or rather parable, spoken by Christ himself about +the talents?" + +"Yes, I love that story; only I don't think it applies specially to me, +for I have not got any." + +"Have not you? Perhaps I can find that you have." + +Kitty gazed at her mistress very earnestly. + +"What is it I am good in?" she asked after a pause. "Is it my English? +Bless you, they tell me it's awfully Irish." + +"It certainly is, Kitty." + +"Then, I don't know any music, although I can sing and whistle. Oh, I +can whistle anything. There's not an air that Laurie plays (it's he that +has the genius for music, bless the boy)--but there's not an air he +plays that I can't whistle it right up and down, and with variations +too." + +"Yes, my dear, yes; but I was not thinking of this special talent. Now, +let me tell you something that you have got." + +"What? Please speak." + +"You have plenty of money." + +"I never thought that was a talent," cried Kitty. + +"I should think it a very great and responsible talent. You have been +given that money to do something for God. He wants you to use it for +Him. Then, also, you have a very bright, attractive, loving manner." + +"Oh, I feel every word I say. It's not manner," said Kitty. "You don't +suppose I'm a hypocrite, do you?" + +"No, I think on the contrary you are very sincere. We will now admit +that you have got two talents; you have got money and you have got a +pleasant manner. I think also that you have got a third, and I may be +able to prove to you that you have got a fourth." + +"Dear me, this is most entertaining!" exclaimed Kitty. "So I have really +got two talents, and you think I have more. What is the third?" + +"I don't wish to make you vain; but you have--yes, I must tell you--a +remarkably pretty face." + +"Ah, now, what a darling you are! I always thought you were sweet. What +part of me do you admire most, the eyes or the mouth? I have the real +Irish eyes I know--gentian-blue, yes, that's the color--and my +eyelashes--aren't they long?" + +"We need not discuss your beauty piece by piece," said Miss Sherrard. +"You are pretty, and I am willing to admit it. Now, a bright face like +yours, with an attractive manner, is a gift. Then, besides, you +have--you will be astonished when I say this--lots of becoming dress, +which adds to the charm of your appearance. Kitty, if you were all you +might be--if you would use that money which God has given you, that +beauty which God has given you, that attractive manner which God has +given you, all for His service--why, you could do a great deal in the +world. You could make it a better place, a brighter place, a happier +place. Now, my dear child, your father has trusted you to me. He wrote +to me a great deal about you before you came to Middleton School----" + +"Dear old dad!" cried Kitty. + +"He loves you with all his heart." + +"I should think so, the darling blessed man--may the saints preserve +him!" + +"As your father feels so strongly about you, and as I promised him to +do what I could for his child, will you help me, Kitty? Will you +remember that you are equipped for the battle of life much more bravely, +much more strongly than most of the other girls in Middleton School? Use +your beauty for Him, dear; use your attractive manner for Him." + +"You make me feel very solemn," said Kitty. She rose. "I will try and +think about it," she said. "I wish I was not quite such a giddypate; but +I'll try and think about it." + +Miss Sherrard kissed her. + +"And now I want you to do something more," she said. "You won't be able +to be a better girl than you were in the past if you don't pray to God +to help you; and when you pray, Kitty, ask Him to teach you to restrain +your feelings a little, not to let them all rush to the surface, to keep +a little back. Thus you will gain strength of character, and--and be all +the better for it, my child." + +"You are very good to me," said Kitty. "I don't mind what I do for those +I love. I suppose now you would wish me to learn my lessons perfectly +every day?" + +"I certainly should." + +"And to--to turn poor little Agnes Moore from the head of her class?" + +"Well, Kitty, I cannot say anything about that. II you do better work +than Agnes Moore you will get to the head of the class and she will go +down; but I doubt your being able to do so, for Agnes is a very clever +and a very diligent little pupil. But I want you, dear, soon to get out +of that class, for it is a great deal too young for you. I want you to +be with girls of your own age. We are yet one month to the end of the +term. By the end of term I want to be able to tell you that you have got +a remove. And now, dear, good-by. Remember, I shall watch you, and--yes, +I shall pray for you." + +"You are very good to me," repeated Kitty; and she walked out of Miss +Sherrard's presence with her head lowered, and a mist before her eyes. + +For the next few days Kitty was strangely thoughtful. She did not speak +nearly so much as usual, she felt inclined to go away by herself, and +she was much puzzled about her talents. Miss Sherrard's words had made +quite a deep impression. She learned her lessons with care, and had +every chance, so her teachers told her, of a remove at the end of term. +Even Alice found less to say against her. Kitty began to look on her +school life as something roseate and delightful; but all these things +were to come to a speedy end. + +On a certain afternoon she got home to find Alice out and Mrs. Denvers +seated in the drawing-room with a great basket of mending before her. + +"Oh, what a lot of work! Would you like me to help you?" said Kitty. + +"Very much, dear; but what kept you so late? Oh, here is a letter for +you." + +"A letter!" cried Kitty eagerly. "Oh, it is from Laurie. Hurrah! +hurrah!" + +She forgot all about her offer to help Mrs. Denvers with her darning, +tossed the letter in the air two or three times, and then sank down on +the nearest ottoman to read it. These were the words on which her eyes +rested: + +"DEAR OLD KITTERKINS: I have got into the greatest bother of a mess that +ever assailed a poor gossoon, and if you can't help me, old girleen, +well, I shall be done brown, as the saying is. The whole matter concerns +Paddy Wheel-about. The poor creature has been getting queerer and +queerer lately, and father has been ever so much worried about him. I +didn't know a word of this, mind you, at the time, but learnt it +afterwards; and it makes my bit of a frolic all the blacker, I can tell +you. Father got Dr. Milligan to go and see Paddy in his cabin at the top +of Sleeve Nohr, and the doctor said that the poor old boy was going off +his head as fast as he could, and we must be careful not to give him any +shock. Well, but to come to my part of it. You know that coat of his, +and what diversion we have had out of it from time to time? You made one +of the patches yourself, don't you remember, Kitty? We always told him +that in each patch he had concealed a sovereign. Well, hot as the days +are, he has been wearing that coat, and a figure of fun he did look. The +Mahoney boys and Pat and I thought we would take a rise out of him; so +one night when he was asleep we stole up to his lair and got hold of the +precious coat. We bundled it up and were off with it. We had to cross +the lake, in the old boat with a hole in the bottom, in order to get +home in time, and what do you think happened? Up came a squall, the boat +was upset, and Paddy's coat sank to the bottom of the lake. We swam to +the shore and thought it would be an easy matter to fish up the old coat +on the following morning; but although we dragged and dragged, and Pat +and I both dived down to the bottom a good dozen of times, the coat had +sunk in the deep mud and we could not find it, no nor a sign of it. +Well, of course, our one hope was that no one should know; but what was +our horror to be confronted by no less a person than Wheel-about +himself. You know that craze he has about never speaking. Well, he spoke +to us and pretty sharp too, and told us he knew we had taken the coat, +and didn't he look thunders and daggers at us, and we funked it so +awfully--yes, I will confess it, Kits, your brave Laurie funked it like +anything--for Wheel-about did really look like a roadman; at last there +was no help for it--we had to out with the truth. Oh, didn't he raise a +yell louder than anything you ever heard, and then I told him that if I +could not get back the coat I would give him ten pounds for certain by +Saturday next. He said if I did he would lie quiet for a bit and not +tell the governor, so I want you like a blessed girleen to lend me the +money. Send it off the very instant you read this; for if you don't the +saints alone know what will happen. We are certain to be sent to a +school in England, at least I am. From what you tell me, Kitterkins, of +that place, I should think it would break our hearts to smithereens. Now +look sharp and send the money. Your loving brother, + +"LAURIE." + +"Oh, dear!" exclaimed Kitty starting to her feet. "Do you mind my going +out at once, Mrs. Denvers?" + +"Certainly not, my love. Tea will be ready at five o'clock. Are you +going far?" + +"Only to Elma Lewis' house. I want to see her; it is awfully important." + +"But Elma lives quite two miles from here." + +"Oh, that does not matter. I am sure to find my way. It is most urgent," +said Kitty. + +She rushed out of the room, pinned on her hat, and a moment later was +walking down the street as fast as she could go. She crossed a field +and a common, and after a time got into that part of the town where Elma +lived. By dint of asking half a dozen children and three or four +policemen she at last reached Constantine Road, and presently found the +right house. She ran up the steps and sounded a rattling rat-tat on the +knocker. The moment she did so a girl with a mop of untidy red hair +peeped up at her from the area below. + +"Come and open the door at once," called Kitty. "Why do you keep a lady +waiting?" + +The girl soon appeared, tying on her cap and apron as she did so. + +"I thought as they was all out for the day," she began, "--Oh, miss, I +beg your pardon." + +Kitty, notwithstanding her rather rude words, presented a very charming +spectacle as she stood on the steps. She was dressed not only in the +height of the fashion, but wore such a perfectly captivating little +toque at the back of her head as to fire the fancy and take the little +wit which she possessed out of Mrs. Lewis' maid-of-all-work. + +Maggie had never seen anything so captivating nor so ravishing. A wild +desire to make a toque like it to put on her own towzled locks on the +following Sunday caused her to stare so hard at Kitty with her mouth +wide open that she did not hear a word that young lady was saying. + +"Are you in a dream?" asked Kitty Malone. "I want to see Miss Elma +Lewis. Is she at home?" + +"Miss Helma? No, miss, that she ain't," replied Maggie. "Oh, I beg your +pardon, miss; but it's it's the bonnet at the top of your head." + +"My bonnet?" said Kitty. + +"Yes, miss. Oh, I do beg your pardon, miss--I was took all of a heap. +Yes, miss, I'm attending now. But oh, if you would just turn your head a +little." + +"You must be mad," said Kitty. But her eyes began to sparkle. + +"Do listen to me," she continued; "it's most important. Is Miss Elma not +at home?" + +"No, miss; she's out for the day, and so is the missus and Miss Carrie. +They're all out a-pleasuring in their different ways, and they has left +me at home to drudge. I'm the household drudge, miss, and no wonder I'm +took with anything so pretty. Do you mind telling me, miss, if them +wiolets is real?" + +"Oh, the violets in my toque--are those what you are staring at?" said +Kitty. "Well, now, I'll tell you what I'll do--I'll give you the whole +bunch if you'll let me come into the house and write a letter to Elma, +and if you'll further faithfully promise that you will give it to her +the instant she comes home." + +"To be sure I will, miss. Come right along in. Oh, what a beautiful +young lady you is!" + +"Every one tells me I am beautiful," thought Kitty. "It really is very +pleasant. I am more flattered here than I was in Ireland. People told me +there I had a face like cream and roses, or cream and strawberries, and +father used to say that I had washed it in the fairies' dew, and Laurie +would tell me that I was a bouncing girl and no mistake; but then Aunt +Honora was always saying: 'Kitty dear, beauty is only skin deep, and +don't be set up by it, child. Handsome is that handsome does, Kitty.' +Oh, how she would deave me with that old proverb. But here they seem to +think beauty is a talent, and I ought to be desperately proud of it. Oh, +faith, but why do I think of these things when my precious duck of a +Laurie is in the mess he has got into. He go to England to break his +heart, the darling! Not a bit of it; not while his Kitty has her wits +about her." + +Meanwhile Maggie conducted this ravishing and welcome visitor into the +tiny sitting-room, furnished her with pen, ink, and paper, and then +began to hover about near the door in order to get another view of the +lovely cap. + +Kitty bent her head over the sheet of paper and indited a letter in hot +and furious haste: + +"DEAR ELMA: I am so sorry, but I must ask you to return that eight +pounds to me immediately. I want it for Laurie. He has got into trouble +and requires it; so don't keep me waiting a single minute if you can +help it. I am so sorry you are out; but will you bring it to me the +instant you return home? It is of the most vital importance. I am in +dreadful trouble, and nothing else will save Laurie. Yours in great +haste, KITTY MALONE." + +Having written the letter, Kitty looked round for an envelope; Maggie +also searched to right and left, but could not find one. + +"But it will be all right, miss," she said. "I'll lay it just as it is +flat out on the table, and Miss Helma will see it the moment she comes +in." + +"Thank you," answered Kitty. "And now I must go. Be sure you give it to +her her the instant she returns, and tell her to come straight to me +with the money, for I must send it off to-night whatever happens. It is +a money transaction; and you understand, don't you? What is your name?" + +"Maggie, miss." + +"Well, you understand, Maggie, that any transaction connected with money +is very important." + +"Like the Bank of England, miss?" + +"Yes, to be sure, and--" + +"Oh, miss, forgive me; but you promised me them wiolets." + +"To be sure I did." + +Kitty snatched them from her toque, flung them to Maggie, who caught +them in an ecstacy, and a moment later was running home as fast as she +could. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +IN CARRIE'S BEDROOM. + + +Of the Lewis family the first who came home that special evening was +Carrie. She walked straight into the little sitting-room, where Kitty +Malone's letter lying on top of the blotter immediately attracted her +attention. It need not be said that she instantly read it, and not only +once but twice. + +"Ha! ha! Elma, I have got you into my power at last," she said to +herself. "So that accounts for the money. Now, what did you borrow it +from that queer Irish girl for? But now that I know a thing or two. I +may be able to draw on you to a considerable extent. Return it! not +you--you are not likely to; but I think I'll be able to frighten you. I +shall certainly do my utmost." + +It will be seen from these remarks that Carrie was by no means an +amiable girl. She ran up to her room, took off her hat, and surveyed +herself in the pale blue dress which had been purchased with some of +poor Kitty's money. She then returned to the sitting-room, and folding +up the letter, deliberately put it into her pocket. As she was doing so +Maggie came in to lay the tea. + +"Oh lor! Miss Carrie," cried the maid-of-all-work as she spread the +not-too-clean cloth upon the table, "whatever 'as become of that bit of +writin' that was lyin' atop of the blotter here?" + +"What bit of writing?" asked Carrie, turning calmly round and surveying +her. + +"Oh, a letter miss; I don't know what was in it, but it was a money +transaction, as important as the Bank of England, and it was to be give +to Miss Helma the very instant she come 'ome. Didn't you see it, miss, +when you come in?" + +"No, I didn't," said Carrie promptly. "I saw no letter of any kind. +Here's the blotter, there is nothing on it. It may have got between the +folds, however." She took up the thick pad of blotting-paper and shook +it, but no letter dropped out. + +"There," she said. "I have not the least doubt that Fido jumped on the +table and took it up and ate it." + +"Oh lor! miss, you don't think so?" + +"I should not be surprised. Fido can never resist paper; he is always +pulling it about and chewing it." + +Maggie looked frantically under the table for even stray pieces of the +letter, but she could not find any. + +"If he had ate it," she said at last, fixing Carrie with a very +determined stare--"if he had ate it he would have left some bits about. +I don't believe it; I believe you 'as took it Miss Carrie. Oh, miss, for +shame; and it was as important as the Bank of England--a money +transaction, miss, what ought not to be trifled with. I can't read +writin', though I can read books fair enough; but the young lady was +awful put about." + +"What young lady?" asked Carrie. "You had better tell me everything." + +"Oh, it was that Irish young lady, Miss Malone. She come here with the +most beautiful 'at on (no, it was wot they calls a talk), and the +wiolets in it they might 'av growed, I could a'most smell 'em; and she +come in distracted like, and writ the letter, and told me I was to give +it to Miss Helma the very moment she returned, and that Miss Helma was +to take her the money to-night--what money is more than I can tell, for +I didn't think Miss Helma ever had any. And she said it was an important +transaction. And I said, 'Is it like the Bank of England, miss?' and she +said, 'Yes, to be sure.' Why, Miss Carrie, you have not gone and hid the +letter, 'ave you? That would be real mean of you." + +"Look here," said Carrie; "what did you say about those violets?" + +"Why, she gave 'em to me, miss; she took 'em out of her cap, and she +give 'em to me, and I was to give the letter to Miss Helma. It was a +fair and honest bargain, and I must keep my part of it miss." + +"Would you like some roses to put with the violets?" said Carrie, making +a careful calculation. + +"Roses, miss? That would be prime, and very seasonable, wouldn't they +miss?" + +"Yes, violets and roses look very pretty together, and I'll pin them +into your hat and furbish it up. And, look here, Maggie, you can go out +with your young man on Sunday. I'll manage it--I can. I will stay at +home." + +"Oh, Miss Carrie, you don't mean it?" + +"Yes, I do. I'll manage it; but I'll do it only on a condition." + +"What is that miss?" + +"That you don't every ask me another question with regard to that +letter, and that you never, never on any account breathe a word of it to +Elma. If you do, why----" + +"Oh, Miss, it don't seem fair." + +Poor honest Maggie walked to the window and struggled for a few minutes +with her temptation. The thought, however, of roses to add to the +violets, the thought also of Joe, whom she dearly loved, to walk with +her on the following Sunday, proved far too seductive. She struggled +with her enemy for a few minutes, and then she fell once and for all. + +"I'll have the roses, Miss Carrie. I can't resist them and the thought +of Joe on Sunday. Joe is so passionate loving, miss, I can't resist +'im." And then Maggie rushed out of the room. + +She flew to her attic, threw herself by the side of her bed and burst +into sobs. + +"But I oughtn't to 'ave done it," she said several times--"I oughtn't to +'ave done it. If it worn't for the roses and for Joe I'd 'ave stood up +to her; but as it is I was too tempted. But all the same I oughtn't to +have done it--no, I oughtn't to 'ave done it!" + +Meanwhile Carrie up in her bedroom was thinking hard. Here indeed was a +revelation! So Elma possessed eight pounds, or nearly eight--for Carrie +knew that her blue dress, and the lobster, and the lettuces, and the +stout had not cost a great deal of that valuable sum of money. + +"At the present moment," she concluded, making a careful computation in +her mind, for she was a smart enough girl in certain ways--"at the +present moment Elma must possess the sum of seven pounds or thereabouts." +What in the world did that Irish girl lend it to her for? What an utter +fool she must have been! But as to Elma's paying it back! as to Elma +getting rid of those riches--Carrie thought she saw her way of +preventing that. In order to do so, however, it was all-important that +Elma should not see poor Kitty's passionate little appeal to her; for +although Elma was anything but an amiable girl, Carrie was certain that +mere fright would make her return the money. + +Carrie stayed some time in her room; she was thinking out a plan. How +could she prevent Elma returning the money to Kitty Malone? She +considered rapidly. Never before had she felt so full of energy and of +resource; it suddenly occurred to her as extremely unlikely that Elma +would carry about so much money on her person. Suppose she, Carrie, had +a thorough good hunt for it now on the spot. Suppose she found it, then +would it not be her duty, by taking possession of it, to guard Elma from +giving it away? Carrie made up her mind quickly; she determined to have +a search for the money at once. In the somewhat meagerly-furnished +bedroom there were not a great many hiding-places, and Carrie began her +search systematically. Elma and she had a little set of drawers each; +there were no locks to these drawers. With all her faults, Elma +absolutely trusted her own family. It never occurred to her even in her +worst moments that Carrie would examine her drawers; she also believed +that Maggie was perfectly honest. + +Carrie now began to search. She opened Elma's drawers and looked +through them. Soon she found what she sought for. In the small +right-hand drawer at the top corner was a little parcel. It felt heavy. +Carrie opened it and there lay seven shining sovereigns. There were also +a couple of shillings and a few pence; but Carrie's eyes were +principally fixed upon the sovereigns. Bright and new they looked, +almost as if they had just come from the mint. Carrie danced a pirouette +there and then. + +"I have found the treasure," she gasped. "Now I must take it where it +will be safe. I know what I'll do. I'll give it to Sam Raynes to keep +for Elma. It will be a nice excuse for seeing him again, and I'll tell +him it is money of my own, and ask him to bank it for me. He'll be ever +so pleased; he will think all the more of me if he supposes I am +wealthy. Yes, I'll take it to Sam; he shall keep it for me." + +Flushed, excited, her heart beating high, Carrie once more pinned on her +hat. She ran downstairs. As she passed through the hall her mother was +letting herself in with a latchkey. + +"My dear Carrie," she said, "you are not going out again at this hour of +night?" + +"I shan't be long, mother. I am just going into Summer Terrace to see +the Raynes." + +"I wish you would not go out so late, Carrie; it really isn't----" + +But Carrie had slammed the door without even waiting for her parent's +last words. She soon reached the Terrace, which was within three +minutes' walk of her own house. Florrie Raynes let her in. + +"My dear Carrie," she said, "what do you want? Oh, you naughty girl; +you knew Sam would be in." + +"Well, I want to speak to him. Can I see him just for a moment?" gasped +Carrie, panting and breathless, pushing the hair from her forehead as +she spoke. + +"Yes, come right in," said Florrie; "you need not apologize. He is only +having a cigar, and he'll be right pleased to see you." + +As she spoke she opened the door of a small sitting-room and pushed +Carrie in, slamming it behind her. The echo of her rude laughter as she +performed this unladylike feat was heard down the passage. + +Sam was seated in front of an open window smoking a cigar. When he saw +Carrie he removed it from his mouth and came forward in a somewhat +nonchalant way to meet her. + +"Now, Car," he said, "what's up? Any news? Can we have a jolly time next +Sunday?" + +"Yes," answered Carrie panting slightly, "and for as many other Sundays +as you like. See here, Sam, I cannot wait a minute now. You know you +once told me that I was a frivolous little thing, that I was +extravagant, and all that. Now, what will you say if I ask you to put +seven pounds in the bank for me?" + +"Seven pounds!" cried Sam; "'pon my word! Where in the world did you get +it, Car?" + +"It's out of my savings," replied Carrie. + +"Well, I must say--" Sam gave her a look of the broadest admiration he +had ever yet bestowed upon her. "You can bank it for me, can you not?" + +"Yes, that I can. But I say, Car, would you like me to speculate with +it? I might double it, you know." + +"Oh, do what you like with it, only keep it safe," answered Carrie. "I +shall want to draw a little of it from time to time. Now, good-by, Sam. +I can't wait another moment." + +She laid the money on the table. Sam's large and somewhat fat hand +closed greedily over it, and the next moment it was conveyed to his +waistcoat pocket. + +"This will come in very handy for myself," he muttered; but Carrie did +not hear the words--she ran home breathless and excited. She thought she +had managed splendidly. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +THE "SPOTTED LEOPARD." + + +Kitty was miserable that night. An Irish girl has always her ups and +downs. She is either up in the seventh heaven of bliss, or she is down +almost below the ordinary earth in misery. Kitty was suffering from an +intense revulsion of spirits. Laurie was in trouble. He was the best +brother in all the world; he was Kitty's idol. There never was anybody +more reckless, more passionate, more dare-devil than Laurie Malone; and +Kitty had always been with him heart and soul, always from the time that +they had been little tots together. And now Laurie was in danger. The +best broth of a boy might be condemned to go to a school in England; he +might be condemned to the misery, the want of freedom, which she was now +enduring. Oh, she must save him at any risk. She could do so. She could +send him ten pounds; she would have exactly that sum in her possession +if only Elma returned the eight which she had lent her. It did not occur +to Kitty as at all difficult for Elma to return the money. She had never +yet know money difficulties herself; and when Elma had asked for the +loan of it she imagined that she could have it back at any time. If this +was not the case it would not greatly matter; but now, of course, +Laurie's letter altered the complexion of everything. + +Kitty was too unsettled and anxious to stay quiet for a single moment. +She fidgeted Alice, who was busily engaged preparing her lessons for the +following day. + +"Kitty," she said, when that erratic young person had jumped up to lean +her body half out of the window for the twentieth time, "if you cannot +sit still yourself, you ought to have some thought for me. What am I to +do if you keep rushing to the window and back again to your seat every +couple of minutes?" + +"I am looking for Elma," said Kitty. + +"For Elma Lewis? Do you expect her to-night?" + +"Yes, and on a matter of vital importance. Oh, don't talk to me please, +Alice. If she doesn't come soon, I believe my heart will burst." + +"That is exactly like one of your exaggerated statements," said Alice. +"People's hearts don't burst. Oh, if you only would stay quiet." + +"I believe that's herself turning round the corner," cried Kitty, +bending out so far now that it was a wonder she was not overbalanced. + +"Really, Kitty, you make my heart stand still," said Alice. "You will +fall out if you are not careful. Oh, for goodness' sake, don't stoop out +any further." + +"It's not her," said Kitty, popping in her head. "I was only stooping +far enough to catch a glimpse of her boots. Elma always wears such +horrid shabby boots; and her feet are too large. By the way, Alice, what +do you think of these shoes; do you like them with straps across, and +little rosettes?" + +"I don't like anything in the way of dress at the present moment," said +Alice. "I want quiet and peace. It is impossible for me to do anything +while you fidget as you do." + +Kitty jumped with a bang into the nearest chair; opened a novel, and +tried to read it upside down. + +"If she isn't in time I won't be able to send the letter to-night and +then--Alice, do you mind my interrupting you for a moment? What time +does the last post go?" + +"The pillar outside the gate is cleared at twelve," said Alice. + +"It is only nine now. You don't happen to be able to tell me when a +letter, cleared at twelve, would reach Castle Malone?" + +"I cannot tell you. Forgive me, Kitty, I cannot stay in the room any +longer. I am going to our bedroom." + +Alice gathered up her books, and swept out of tho room. When she reached +the bedroom she shut and locked the door. + +Kitty was now left alone in the drawing-room, for Mr. and Mrs. Denvers +were spending the evening out. She was glad of this, as she could lean +as far out of the window as she dared, and there was no one to shout at +her. She could also pace up and down the room, which she presently did +with the rapidity and eagerness of a young tigress. + +Oh, to be back again at Castle Malone! What was Laurie doing now? +Suppose Paddy Wheel-about really told her father about Laurie! + +Squire Malone was extremely kind to Kitty; there was no saying what he +would not do for Kitty were she in trouble; but Laurie and Pat were +different matters. He had fits of severity-with them--only fits, mind +you; for he was too Irish in his character, too generous-hearted, ever +to keep his anger long; but in these fits he often made strange +resolves, and when these resolves were made, as a rule, he carried them +out. He was too proud to change his mind. If once he decided that the +boys were to go to school to England, to school they must go--to +"prison," Kitty termed it. Tears rose in her bright eyes, they rolled +down her cheeks. Oh, why was not Elma in time? How dreadful, how +dreadful if she (Kitty) missed the twelve-o'clock post! She was in this +state of fret and worry, when Fred entered the room. Fred hated all +girls, with the exception of Kitty Malone. He could not be said by this +time to hate her, for he admired her very much indeed. The moment she +saw him she called out to him to come in. + +"Ah, then, Fred, it is you. Come along in," she cried; "you'll be a +drain of a comfort--not much, but still a drain. Oh, Fred, it's I who am +in the trouble entirely. You wouldn't think it to look at me, but I am." + +"Dear me, Kitty I am sorry," said Fred. "What's up? Has Alice been +teasing you as usual?" + +"Oh, bother Alice! as if I minded her little pinpricks. It's that +darling Laurie in Ireland. He has got into trouble, the broth of a boy +that he is." + +She then related what had occurred in connection with Paddy +Wheel-about's coat. + +"And the poor old coat is in the bottom of the lake," she added, "and +the lake is feet deep in mud just at the bottom, and anything that falls +with a weight into it would sink and sink. Oh, they will never find the +coat till the day of judgment, and it full of beautiful money! And Paddy +Wheel-about has lost the little grain of sense he ever possessed, and +Laurie will be sent to one of those prisons." + +"To prison?" cried Fred; "but surely your father--" + +"Oh, I mean a school--it's all the same. Don't interrupt me, Fred. When +my mind is full I must rattle off the speech somehow." + +"And he wants you to send him ten pounds?" + +"Yes." + +"And have you got ten pounds to send him?" + +"To be sure I have--I have ten pounds ten. I am an awful girl for +spending money. I bought a whole pound's worth of chocolate yesterday. I +only wish I had the money now instead; but poor little Agnes Moore and +the other girls in my class, they do love chocolate, and they quite seem +to fatten them. I bought the chocolates, and I have got ten shillings in +my pocket." + +"But you showed me a whole purseful of gold the other day," said Fred. + +"Well, it's gone, Fred, and it isn't gone; but I know who could help me +to find it if I could catch a sight of her." + +"And who is that?" asked Fred. + +"Elma Lewis." + +"Elma Lewis! Do you like her?" + +"I can't say that I like her--no I don't think I do; but she would help +me, if I could only get to see her." + +"Then, do you want me to go to her house and tell her so?" + +"Why, Fred, that's a splendid idea. You are a jewel, a darling, a duck! +Let me fetch my hat, and you and I will go together." + +"But I don't know my lessons yet. It is that beastly German. I have +pages to translate. It is such rot." + +"Oh, what does the German matter? Think of the misery poor Laurie is in. +Just stay where you are, Fred; I'll be back in a minute." + +Kitty dashed upstairs, two or three steps at a time, and thundered a +loud tattoo on the locked door of Alice's bedroom. + +"You cannot come in, whoever you are," cried Alice from within. + +"Yes, but I must, Alice, aroon; let me in, jewel that you are. I want my +hat, and gloves and jacket, nothing else. Do, for goodness' sake, let me +in, Alice, asthore!" + +But Alice was obdurate. Once let Kitty in, she would never be able to +get rid of her again, and her lessons must be learned. They were +specially difficult and required all her attention. + +"Then if you won't," cried Kitty, whose quick temper was beginning to +rise, "at least fling the things out of the window." + +"You know you must not go out at this hour." + +"If you won't give them to me," said Kitty, "I'll go without them." + +"You are not to have them; you are not to go out. It isn't right," +called Alice, who felt strong in the cause of virtue. + +Kitty rattled violently on the handle for a moment longer, and then +rushed downstairs again to where Fred was waiting. + +"I can't get my hat," she said; "but it doesn't matter. I'll go as I +am." + +Now Kitty's dress was more picturesque than suitable. She had on a +crimson blouse and a skirt bedizened with many ribbons and frills. The +blouse had only elbow sleeves and was cut rather low in the neck. +Nothing could be more becoming to the dancing eyes, the rose-bloom +cheeks, the head of dark hair. + +"Lend me a cap of yours, Fred, there's a darling," called Kitty, "and +we'll be off. Alice is in one of her tantrums, and she won't let me into +our room nor give me my hat and jacket. If your mother were there it +would be all right." + +Fred only thought that Kitty looked remarkably pretty. It did not occur +to him as at all queer that she should want to walk a couple of miles in +this erratic dress. He went downstairs, accommodated her with a small +cap which bore the college coat of arms in front, and the two were soon +hurrying along the roads at a rapid rate in the direction of Elma's +house. + +There were two ways to Elma's home. One way was by crossing a wide +common, cutting off a certain corner, walking down a by-street, and so, +by a series of short cuts, reaching Constantine Road. By the other and +slightly longer way you had to pass an open thoroughfare in the center +of which blazed, with its shining lights and its gay exterior, a large +public-house called the "Spotted Leopard." Now the "Spotted Leopard" was +by no means a nice place to pass at night. Men considerably the worse +for drink were apt to linger about the doors. Gossiping and idle fellows +would congregate just by this special corner, ready to take up any bit +of fun or nonsense which might be coming, meaning no special mischief, +but being decidedly disagreeable to meet at night. + +Fred was as careless a schoolboy as could be found in the length and +breadth of Great Britain; Kitty was equally reckless, perhaps more so, +if that were possible. That special evening Fred decided that they would +not take the short cut across the common. + +"A beastly lonely place at this hour of night," he said, "and the road +is so uneven and there are no lamps. We'll go round by the 'Spotted +Leopard'. You don't mind, do you, Kit?" + +"Never a bit," answered Kitty. "Come along, Fred; stretch your legs. I +must get to see Elma Lewis to-night as quickly as possible." + +Fred walked fast, and Kitty laughed and talked and danced by his side. +Now that she was in action she forgot her fears; her volatile spirits +rose once again to a height. She entertained Fred with numerous stories +relating to Paddy Wheel-about, Laurie, and Pat, and invited him to come +to Castle Malone for the whole of the summer holidays, assuring him that +the fishing would be splendid, the cycling superb, the riding such as +would make your eyes water, and the shooting and the hunting when that +season began all that could stimulate the least ambitious of boys. And +when Kitty spoke she was apt to illustrate her words, dancing now in +front of her companion, now keeping by his side, now lingering a little +behind him, all the time gesticulating with eyes and lips and gay +motions. She was like a restive young colt--beautiful, excitable. The +boy felt that he had never had such a charming companion before. + +All went well, and Kitty's bizarre dress, her hair tossed wildly over +her head and hanging partly down her shoulders, her little feet encased +in the shoes with the rosettes and steel buckles, the frills on her gay +skirt, her bare arms, failed to attract any special attention. But when +they got into the neighborhood of the "Spotted Leopard," a blaze of +light fell full across her. She was a remarkable enough figure to be out +at this hour, and when joined to the somewhat peculiar spectacle, the +wild-looking boys--for they were little more--who had congregated round +this special corner, saw the college cap on her head, they made a rush +forward and the next moment had surrounded her. + +They began to laugh and to make facetious remarks. It was all done in a +second. Kitty stood stock still as if some one had shot her. He gay +manner ceased on the instant, she drew herself erect, and the next +moment aimed a blow straight from the shoulder at the nearest of the +men, knocking him over as completely as though he had been a ninepin; +then taking hold of Fred's arm--who had come to her rescue, although the +poor lad had not the least idea what to do--marched away, her face as +crimson as her gay silk blouse. + +"Well, Kitty, you did that splendidly," he said. + +"The impertinent wretches! Don't speak to me about them," answered +Kitty. But just then she came face to face with a more serious +obstacle. This was no less a person than Miss Worrick herself. + +Now if there was a prim mistress in the whole length and breadth of +England, it was Matilda Worrick. She liked girls to be neatly dressed; +she could not bear to see them out at what she called inclement hours. +She would have thought it the height of impropriety for Kitty and Fred +to walk together at such an hour; but when in addition to this Kitty +went out in a dress which Miss Worrick would have thought very +unsuitable for home, when she wore a boy's college cap on her head, and +when she had so far distinguished herself as to have been for a moment +the center of a lot of low noisy, rough men, Miss Worrick felt that the +moment had come for her to interfere. She grasped Kitty Malone firmly by +the arm. + +"What are you doing, Miss Malone?" she said. "How dare you be out at +this hour?" + +"How dare you interfere?" answered Kitty, who, excited already, could +not for a moment brook Miss Worrick's interference. + +"I shall march you straight home," said the mistress. "If Miss Sherrard +knew of this she would expel you from the school. You are a very wicked +girl. Fred Denvers, you can go home or go on with your walk, just as you +like, but I have charge of Miss Malone; she belongs to the Middleton +School, and I must see her home before I go a step further." + +Poor Kitty felt staggered. + +"I really meant no harm," she said. "I cannot imagine what you are +talking about. I could not get my hat and jacket, and as it was most +important that I should see Elma Lewis, Fred promised to take me to her +house. Please don't ask me to return now with you, Miss Worrick, I +really cannot come." + +But Miss Worrick was inexorable. She grasped Kitty very firmly by the +arm, turned abruptly in the direction of home, and walked forward with a +firm step. There was no help for it; Kitty Malone must accompany her. +They soon found themselves back again at the Denvers' house. Mr. and +Mrs. Denvers were out, but Miss Worrick inquired for Alice. + +"Ask Miss Alice to come to me immediately," she said to the servant. + +The girl looked pityingly at Kitty, who was a prime favorite with her, +and then went away to fulfill her errand. + +The instant Alice got this somewhat startling message, she forgot her +lesson, unlocked her bedroom door, and flew downstairs as fast as she +could. Miss Worrick was standing in the center of the drawing-room. +Kitty was leaning up against one of the window-curtains. Kitty's face +was red, her hair was tossed in wild confusion, and her dark eyes seemed +to flash fire. + +"Alice," said Miss Worrick, coming straight up to Alice when she +appeared. "I must ask you to take charge of Kitty Malone." + +"Why so?" asked Alice in some astonishment. + +"Just do what I say. Your father and mother are out. Kitty is not to +return to school to-morrow until she hears from Miss Sherrard. In the +absence of your parents I put her in your charge, Alice. She has behaved +disgracefully, and I shall have the great pain of reporting what I have +just witnessed to our head-mistress to-morrow." + +So saying, Miss Worrick walked quickly out of the room and out of the +house. + +"Well, thank goodness, she's gone--the old cat!" cried Kitty. + +"Now, Kitty what have you done?" said Alice. "Oh, this is terrible! +Fresh scrapes! We seem to live in constant hot water. What is the matter +now, you headstrong and dreadful girl?" + +"Nothing is the matter," replied Kitty, "absolutely nothing. It is all a +storm in a teacup. But if any one is to blame you are the one." + +"I?" cried Alice. "What next?" + +"Well, you are. You would not give me my hat and jacket. I have a nice +plain hat and a jacket to match. I should have put them on if you had +not locked our bedroom door, and prevented my coming into the room, +which is just as much mine as yours. As it was imperative for me to see +Elma Lewis immediately, I asked Fred if he would walk round with me to +her house, and I wore his college cap. When we were passing the 'Spotted +Leopard' a lot of rough, rude boys rushed out and began to make +impertinent remarks about my dress. I just gave one of them a black eye +and knocked him over. The next moment I found myself under the fire of +Miss Worrick's anger." + +"And small wonder," said Alice. "Kitty, what is to be done? Before you +came here I thought myself a respectable girl--all we Middleton girls +did; and now for such a fearful thing to happen. Why, it will be all +over the place in the morning. They will talk of it everywhere. Oh, +Kitty, you have disgraced me for ever." + +Here Alice burst into tears. + +"Good gracious!" cried Kitty, "what are you crying about? I did nothing; +it was the rude men, or boys, or whatever you like to call them, who +were to blame." + +"You did nothing, going out in that dress?" cried Alice--"that red +blouse, and your arms bare, and with Fred's college cap on your head. I +should not be a bit surprised if Fred were expelled; he will certainly +get into an awful scrape. Oh dear! oh dear!" + +"I cannot imagine what you are talking and crying about," said Kitty. +"But there; I have got a headache, and am going to bed. I suppose there +is no chance of my--Oh, poor Laurie! What a wicked girl Elma Lewis is!" + +Kitty rushed up to her room. Not that she was frightened--that was not +her way; but she saw that disagreeable things might be pending. In the +meantime her most anxious thoughts were for Laurie. What would happen if +she could not send him the money by an early post? + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +COVENTRY. + + +Early the next morning Mrs. Denvers was a good deal surprised by +receiving a letter from Miss Sherrard. It ran as follows: + +"DEAR MRS. DENVERS: I have just heard an extraordinary story from Miss +Worrick with regard to Kitty Malone. She met Kitty with your Fred at a +late hour last night just outside the 'Spotted Leopard.' She was not +wearing an outdoor jacket, and had the college cap on her head. In +consequence, she was spoken to impertinently by some men outside the +public-house, and when Miss Worrick came up had just knocked one of them +down. Miss Worrick says, further, that Kitty showed her great +impertinence; and, in short, that the whole affair was wrong and +disgraceful. It is my painful duty to look thoroughly into this matter, +and I should be glad if you would bring Miss Malone to Middleton School +this morning in order that I may do so. + +"Yours very truly, + +"EMMA SHERRARD." + +"My dear Alice," said Mrs. Denvers, as her daughter entered the room, +"what does this letter mean?" + +Alice read Miss Sherrard's letter hastily. + +"It is exactly as I feared, mother," she said. + +"Exactly as you feared, Alice! What do you mean?" + +"I always told you that Kitty would be certain to get into trouble +sooner or later. Well, she got into trouble last night." + +"But what occurred?" + +"What occurred!" said Fred, who came into the room at that moment. "I +thought you would be talking about poor Kitty. I will tell you exactly +what did occur mother; but first I want to say something else. Kitty is +just as nice a girl as we ever had in the house. She has not a low nor a +small thought in her, but she is excitable, and she has high spirits; +and yesterday evening, when I went into the drawing-room, I found her +there alone, and in no end of a fret because one of her brothers in +Ireland had got into trouble. He had written to her; but she would not +tell me what he said. For some extraordinary reason, which none of us +know, it seems that Elma Lewis can get him out of his trouble, I cannot +pretend to explain what this means; but such is the fact. Poor Kitty was +wild to see Elma, and she asked me if I would walk over to her house +with her. Of course I promised to do so, for it was difficult not to be +good-natured to the poor thing." + +"At what hour was this, Fred?" interrupted Mrs. Denvers. + +"It was rather late, I will own, mother--about half-past nine." + +"Go on, my dear boy. What happened then?" + +"Now it is Alice's turn to get into your black books," continued Fred, +darting a malicious look at his sister. "She doesn't like Kitty, and +nothing that Kitty can do or say is right in Alice's eyes." + +"Fred!" interrupted Alice--"Mother, you have no right to listen to him." + +"I am bound to hear both sides of this story, Alice," said Mrs. Denvers. +"Fred shall tell his side first. Go on, my boy." + +"When I arranged to go with Kitty, she ran upstairs to the bedroom which +she shares with Alice to get her jacket and hat; but Alice had locked +the door, and wouldn't let her in. I heard her crying out and begging of +Alice to do so, or, at least, if she would not, to throw her hat and +jacket out of the window; but no! good nature was not to be expected +from my amiable sister. So then Kitty ran down again, and said that as +the night was warm it really didn't matter a bit; and she asked me to +lend her a cap. I took one from the peg in the hall, never seeing that +it was one of the college caps with the coat-of-arms in front, and Kitty +popped it on, and off we set. We neither of us gave a thought to her +dress, and we walked as fast as possible, chatting and laughing all the +way. All went well till we got in front of that horrid 'Spotted +Leopard,' and there were several lads round the door. I suppose Kitty's +dress attracted them as well as her pretty face, and all in a minute +they surrounded her. Such awful cheek! But do you think Kitty would put +up with their impudence? I never saw a girl like her! She just aimed a +blow straight at one of the fellows and knocked him over as if he were a +ninepin. I can tell you she had the laugh on her side; and I don't +believe we would have heard anything more about it if that mean, +spiteful old cat, Miss Worrick, hadn't been coming round the corner. She +ran up to Kitty, and took possession of her, and marched her off home, +and put her, forsooth, into Alice's custody. That's the explanation of +Miss Sherrard's letter, mother." + +"Dear, dear!" said Mrs. Denvers, "it was a most imprudent thing to do. +But of course, the poor child meant no harm." + +"I should rather think she didn't," cried Fred. "The one you ought really +to blame is Alice. No one would have looked at Kitty, nor thought of her +one way or the other, if Alice had let her get her hat and jacket; but +what was she to do when she was locked out of her own bedroom?" + +"But she know very well that she was breaking rules," said Mrs. Denvers. +"None of the Middleton girls are allowed to go out so late in the +evening except with a suitable escort; and she certainly ought not to +have gone in the dress you have described, my boy. It was all +thoughtlessness; but she will get into sad trouble, I fear." + +"Of course it was thoughtlessness," said Fred; "and the poor thing was +bothered, dreadfully bothered, about that brother in Ireland." + +"I see, mother," said Alice, "that you are determined to take Kitty's +part, whatever happens. She has bewitched you, like all the rest of the +household." + +"Whom have I bewitched now?" asked Kitty, who entered the room just +then. + +"Oh, my poor, dear child," said Mrs. Denvers, "you have got into a +terrible scrape. See this letter which I have just received from your +head-mistress." + +Kitty eagerly seized the letter. She was looking pale, and not like her +usual self. There were heavy black lines under her eyes. The poor girl +had spent most of her night crying. The thought of Laurie was resting on +her soul; she was very anxious about him, and, in consequence, very +miserable. + +"I always said that I hated England," she cried, coloring as she spoke. +"Oh, I know, dear Mrs. Denvers, that you are a jewel; and as to Fred, he +is no end of a darling; and Mr. Denvers is as nice as a man could be. +But there's Alice, and she doesn't like me; and Miss Worrick can't bear +me; and half the girls at school don't understand me, and, for the +matter of that, I don't care for them; and I don't understand your +stiff, proper English ways. I am far and away too wild for England. In +Ireland we would only laugh at such a thing as happened last night. What +does it matter what sort of dress I go out in and at what hour I go, if +I am doing right all the time? I wanted to do something for Laurie, for +my dear, dear Laurie, who is in terrible trouble. Please, Mrs. Denvers, +let me go home again. Let us both go to Miss Sherrard this morning, and +tell her that it is all no use; Kitty Malone was born wild, and wild she +will remain to the end of the chapter. Let me go home; please let me go +home." + +"My poor child, I must not yield to you," said Mrs. Denvers. "You have +been sent to us to be made----" + +"Oh, don't begin it," cried Kitty. "Don't begin to talk about all the +things you have got to make me, and which, to be plain, none of you will +ever succeed in doing, for I was not half nor a quarter as wild in +Ireland. I was considered in some ways the steady one of the family; but +here, why, I am provoked every minute of the day, and I--I can't stand +it much longer." + +"Well, sit down now and eat your breakfast," said Mrs. Denvers, "for we +must soon hurry off to school. Miss Sherrard will want to see us +immediately after prayers." + +Kitty seated herself, but she had little appetite for her food. + +"Why don't you eat?" said Fred, who sat next to her. "Let me help you to +some of this porridge; it's jolly well done this morning, and you always +like it, don't you?" + +"Yes, yes; but I have got a lump in my throat and I can't swallow," +answered Kitty. "Thank you all the same, Fred. There are some chocolates +in my room if you like to steal up in the middle of the day in case I am +locked up, as twenty to one I shall be for this misdemeanor. There are +some chocolates and some rock and toffee. You'll find them in my +left-hand drawer in the corner. I spent a whole sovereign on sweets, as +I told you a few days ago." + +"Oh, thanks. Kitty, you are a brick," whispered Fred back in return. + +"You can take as many as you like, Fred, old boy, for you are a comfort +to me. I'll tell Laurie about you when I go back to Ireland." + +"Come, come, my dears, no whispering," said Mrs. Denvers. "Kitty, if +you don't care for your breakfast, perhaps you will go up to your room +and make yourself tidy for school." + +"Oh, am I not tidy now?" asked Kitty, jumping up and running to the +glass in the overmantel to survey herself. "By the way, do you like my +frock? it is quite new. Don't you think this crimson cotton with the +white sash very effective? It is cool, and yet it's gay. I belong to the +Tug--Oh! I must not mention that. I never did know such a place for +awful secrets as England. I am drawn up every minute by remembering that +I must not mention something. But how do you like my dress, Mrs. +Denvers?" + +"Well, dear, I prefer quieter colors; but we will say nothing more about +it just now. Get your hat, Kitty; put on your outdoor shoes and your +gloves, and come down immediately, for it is time for us to start." + +As soon as Kitty had left the room, Alice turned to her mother. + +"Are you going to encourage her in all her follies?" she asked. + +"My dear Alice, I don't encourage her in her follies; but there is no +use in pulling the poor child up short every moment. She expresses +herself quite correctly when she says that she is wild; she is not +broken in. But to break in Kitty Malone too thoroughly might also break +her heart, and that would never do." + +"Break her heart! I don't believe she has got one," said Alice. "But, +there, I can't talk any longer on the subject." + +It occurred to her that if she started immediately for school she might +call for Bessie Challoner, and tell her what had occurred. Bessie's +sympathy would be very sweet, and Alice determined to secure it if +possible. Accordingly she left the house, and at about a quarter to nine +found herself at Bessie's house. Bessie was standing on the steps +drawing on her gloves. + +"Why, Alice, what has brought you?" she cried; "and where is Kitty?" + +"Oh, don't mention Kitty, if you don't want to rile me beyond +endurance," said Alice. + +"I always do rile you when I mention her," answered Bessie; "but where +is she all the same?" + +"With mother--she is coming to school with mother." + +"With your mother--to Middleton School! What do you mean?" + +"Only that mother has to bring her. She has got into no end of a row." + +"Has she? Oh, I am sorry," said Bessie. + +"Come out, Bessie," said Alice. "It is a little early to get to school, +but we may as well walk slowly, and I will tell you all about it as we +go along." + +This Alice did, enlarging much upon Kitty's dress, her crimson blouse, +her bare arms, the college cap on her head, and her little shoes with +the buckles and rosettes. + +"She must have looked very pretty," said Bessie. + +"Bessie! you really are enough to distract any one. Don't you see the +impropriety of it? Don't you see that this will get all over the place? +People will say that a Middleton girl dressed so unsuitably, so loudly, +that--Oh, don't you see it?" + +"I don't see anything in it except a silly, foolish, girlish act, +uncommonly like Kitty Malone," said Bessie. "You are determined to make +mountains out of molehills, Alice." + +"No, I am not," said Alice. "Anyhow," she added in a tone of triumph, +"Miss Sherrard thinks it disgraceful, and so does Miss Worrick. I +suppose you will not go against the opinions of your own mistresses, +will you, Bessie?" + +"No, no; only I am sorry," said Bessie. + +At that moment the two girls reached the school. Gwin Harley was just +driving up in her pony-chaise, and Elma, as usual, was hovering near. + +"Come here, Elma," said Bessie. "We have something to tell you." + +"What is it?" asked Elma eagerly. + +"It is this," cried Alice. "Kitty Malone has got into the most awful +scrape. She went out last night with Fred in her red blouse--you know +that silk blouse she is so fond of wearing?" + +"I know; it is sweetly pretty," said Elma. + +"Oh, there you are, praising everything she does! Well, anyhow, she wore +it, and her arms were bare to the elbow, and she stuck one of the +college caps on her head. What will Dr. Butler say? She went with Fred +to see you, by the way, Elma. She seemed in an awful hurry to find you. +She was in trouble about her brother, and she said you could help her." + +"Oh, nonsense!" said Elma. But she had an uncomfortable feeling as the +words were said. Her thoughts naturally flew to the eight pounds which +Kitty had lent her. Was it possible that Kitty wanted that lovely, that +beautiful money back again? Elma had felt almost as if she were living +in fairyland from the time that money had been in her possession. She +would part with it whenever the day came with extreme reluctance. + +"Well," she said, "I cannot imagine what she wanted with me; but what +happened?" + +"Some rough boys outside the 'Spotted Leopard' were rude to her, and she +knocked one of them down; then Miss Worrick came up and took her back to +our house; and Miss Sherrard has written this morning to say that mother +is to bring Kitty up to school, and that she must have the whole thing +explained. There's a nice state of things!" + +At that moment the great gong was heard, and the girls were obliged to +troop into the school. Prayers were conducted as usual in the great +hall, and Elma, Gwin, Alice, and Bessie looked in every imaginable +corner for a sight of Kitty Malone. She was not present, however, and +they were obliged afterward to go to their class-rooms without having +caught sight of her beaming and brilliant face. + +Meanwhile Mrs. Denvers and Kitty were waiting for Miss Sherrard in the +head-mistress' private sitting-room. Kitty went to the window and looked +out. + +"I like Miss Sherrard," she said, turning to Mrs. Denvers as she spoke. +"I am really sorry to annoy her. It is about a fortnight ago since she +spoke to me in this very room; she spoke so kindly, and told me that I +had got talents. I was astonished, for I thought she meant cleverness, +and I have always been told that I am a dunce; she said that she knew I +had good abilities, and that besides I had plenty of other +talents--nice dress, and good looks." Kitty colored and flashed a +half-defiant, half-roguish glance at Mrs. Denvers. "She also spoke about +my money as a talent. Oh, dear, I felt half-conceited, half-delighted +when I left her, and I made up my mind that I would be good; but it +seems useless, more than useless. Oh, my poor money, my poor money! I +have got none of it left now, or at least scarcely any." + +"My dear child, no money!" exclaimed Mrs. Denvers. "Impossible. When +you spoke to me last you had about fifteen pounds. Kitty, my dear, it is +wrong for you to squander money in that fashion." + +"But I haven't squandered it, Mrs. Denvers, not really. I have not got +it with me, it is true; but most of it is safe, only I must not talk +about that. There's another secret for you. What an awful place England +is! Oh, dear, dear! I am in a muddle about everything. I can't bear to +stand in this room and remember Miss Sherrard's talk. Fancy her saying +that even my dress was a talent! Now there's something in favor of my +nice red cotton and my dear red silk blouse; and fancy her saying still +more that my looks, my pretty face, was a talent! Mrs. Denvers, do you +think me pretty, very, very, very pretty?" + +"No, Kitty dear, not so wonderfully pretty as that; but you have an +attractive face. Miss Sherrard is quite right; beauty is a gift, +although it used to be my old-fashioned idea that the less girls were +told about their looks the better." + +"Oh, but that's all exploded, love," cried Kitty. "In these days girls +are told when they are pretty just as much as they are told when they +are clever. Now, I'm not clever, not a bit. I'm a dunce, an out and out +dunce; but at any rate I've got a pretty face, and I promised that I +would use my talents for--for the best--" Here she lowered her face and +a thoughtful and beautiful expression came into the great big eyes. "But +it's no use," she added. "I am bothered entirely every day of my life, +and I am just going from bad to worse." + +"Hush, Kitty, you must not talk in that way Hark! I think I hear Miss +Sherrard's step." As Mrs. Denvers spoke the door was slowly opened and +Miss Sherrard, accompanied by Miss Worrick, came in. Miss Sherrard was +just about to speak; but before she could utter a word Kitty rushed to +her. + +"I have failed, darling; I have failed entirely," she gasped out, "I +meant to do right, but I did wrong; I have become worse and worse, +although I cannot see the wrong myself. But Miss Worrick has found it +out. I want to give up the school, darling, and to go back to Old +Ireland. They don't think so badly of me in Old Ireland, and they'll let +me dress as I like and go out when I like; and--and, I am not fit for +England, dear. Please write to dad and tell him so--tell him I am a +failure as far as England is concerned. He'll understand, dear old man. +He'll be sorry, but he'll understand. Let me go home again, please, Miss +Sherrard--let me go home!" + +"No, Kitty, I shall do nothing of the kind," answered Miss Sherrard. +"You must not kiss me just now, my dear; no, I am not pleased at all. +You did very wrong to go out as late as you did last night. You broke +one of the strictest rules of the school, and have brought discredit +upon us all. Miss Worrick, will you please relate exactly what +occurred?" + +Miss Worrick now stood up and made as much as she possibly could of poor +Kitty's little escapade in front of the "Spotted Leopard." The story so +described made anything but a pleasant picture. Miss Sherrard who was +tenacious with regard to the school, and most anxious that each and all +of her girls should bear the highest character for quiet and orderly +behavior, was deeply annoyed. + +"Kitty," she said, "I have always been strangely unwilling to punish +you. I have never ceased to remember that you have not been brought up +like most of the girls here--that you have enjoyed a freer, wilder life. +On that account I have tried to be very patient with you, my dear; but I +am sorry to say that I have no alternative now. I must punish you, and +severely. For the next week you are to stay in during the morning +recess, and after school is over will remain here day by day to learn +different tasks which will be set you. Further, my dear--and this, I am +sure, will be the most severe part of your punishment--your school +companions are absolutely forbidden to speak to you, and you must give +your word of honor that you will hold no communication with any of them +until the week has expired." + +This very severe sentence made poor Kitty quite collapse. She sat down +on the nearest chair and her rosy face turned pale. + +"Oh, I cannot give my word of honor," she gasped. "I must speak. I must +at least speak to Elma Lewis." + +"You are not to speak to any of your companions, with the exception of +Alice Denvers, in whose house you live," said Miss Sherrard. "Kitty, if +you disobey me, I shall have to expel you, and then indeed you will be +disgraced for life. My dear you must bow to my authority--you are to +speak to no girl in the school. I trust to your honor to obey me in this +particular. If you are expelled--and it will certainly happen if I find +that you are not keeping your word--you will be branded for life." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +THE LOST PACKET. + + +After parting with Kitty, Miss Sherrard went back to the school. As she +did so, she said a few words to Miss Worrick. The result of this was +that all the girls were summoned to appear in the great central hall. +When there they were told very briefly--Miss Sherrard standing by her +desk as she spoke--that Miss Malone was in disgrace. + +"Miss Malone has done something which obliges me to put her into +Coventry for a week," said the head-mistress. "Her schoolfellows are +forbidden to have any intercourse with her. If she attempts to speak to +any girl belonging to Middleton School, with the exception of Alice +Denvers, in whose house she is living, that girl holds communication +with her at her own peril. Such a girl stands a grave chance of being +expelled from the school." + +Miss Sherrard then descended from her platform, and the usual work of +the morning went on. + +It may easily be guessed that Kitty Malone, and Kitty Malone only, was +the subject of conversation during recess. What had she done? Why was +Miss Sherrard so very severe on her? It was not often that a Middleton +girl was given such a very terrible punishment. Alice who knew all about +it, and Bessie, who knew a little, were therefore in immense request. +Girls came up to these two in groups to find out what was the matter; +and when they heard from Alice the very glaring account of what Kitty +had really done on the previous night, they listened with open mouths, +giving vent to their feelings in different ways. The larger number +pronounced Kitty's conduct to be the height of all that was disgraceful. + +"Is it true," said one, "that she really wore the college cap? Oh, what +will Dr. Butler say if he finds it out? Alice, you cannot mean that she +had bare arms, bare from the elbows? Oh, impossible!" + +"But Alice," said another, "tell me, did she really, really, knock one +of those horrid boys down?" + +"Yes; like a ninepin, so Fred says," replied Alice. "Oh, it was +disgraceful. Don't talk of it any more; my cheeks burn whenever I think +of it." + +"But after all, Alice"--said Gwin, who came up at that moment. Gwin's +tone sounded quiet, stately, penetrating; it rose above the din which +the other girls were making. "After all, Alice, don't you think that you +were to blame too? Why did you not let Kitty get into your room and +hers? If she wanted to go for a walk it was surely natural enough to ask +for her hat and jacket; you refused to give them to her." + +"Of course I refused," said Alice, who did not at all wish to share any +of poor Kitty's blame. "Kitty knew perfectly well that she was breaking +one of the school rules as well as one of our home rules by going out at +such an hour--it was between nine and ten o'clock. As to her going +without her hat and jacket, such an idea never entered my wildest +dreams. No; bad as I thought Kitty, I did not think her bad enough for +that. There is no excuse for her. She is well punished, and for my part +I cannot but rejoice." + +"For my part," said Gwin gravely, "I am extremely sorry. I like Kitty; I +like her much. She has her faults of course; she is different from any +of the rest of us; she is wild and daring and eccentric; but she is also +the soul of honesty and candor. She is very affectionate and very +generous. She has not been brought up in the least as we have been. +Things we think wrong are not considered wrong by Kitty Malone. As she +herself expresses it, she is a little bit wild. Oh, I am sorry for her, +dreadfully sorry; and I think Miss Sherrard has been too severe. I +wonder at Miss Sherrard. I thought she understood Kitty. She spoke to +mother so kindly about her yesterday; she said there was a great deal of +good in the Irish girl, as she called her; and also said that she was +very glad that I was her friend. Although Miss Sherrard does not know +any of the rules of the Tug-of-war Society, she naturally knows that we +have formed it. She told me that she could not express how pleased she +was at our having asked Kitty to become a member. Girls, I wish I could +speak to Miss Sherrard. I think I will. It will break Kitty's heart to +be kept in Coventry for a week." + +"I doubt if she has a heart," said Alice. "It is all very fine to talk +of her affectionate ways; for my part I call them nothing but impetuous. +She is vain, conceited, and selfish; and provided she gets her own way +does not care what prejudices she rides roughshod over. Oh, I have no +patience with her." + +"But," said Bessie Challoner, who was standing stolidly by, looking +very determined and very quiet, "what did Kitty want out at that hour? +Kitty with all her faults, would not break the rules unless she had a +strong motive. What could have been the matter?" + +"And why did she want to see you, Elma?" said Gwin. "Can you throw any +light on the subject?" + +Elma colored first and then turned pale. Several pairs of eyes were +immediately fixed on her; one girl looked at the other, and a few nodded +significantly. Elma observed the looks and turned away in hot fear. + +"I don't know what she wanted with me," she muttered. + +The rest of the school hours passed as usual, and just before dinner, +when the great school broke up for the day, Kitty was still the subject +for conversation. Gwin lingered a little behind the others, and Bessie +stopped to ask why she was doing so. + +"I have almost made up my mind," she said, "to plead with Miss Sherrard +for Kitty." + +"Oh Gwin; how noble of you. I respect you, I do from my heart; but I +tell you what. Would it not be better for us to do something of this +sort? Why should not all the Tug-of-war girls plead for her? That would +seem more effective and stronger, would it not? Suppose we wrote a +letter, a sort of round-robin, and sent it to Miss Sherrard, begging of +her to forgive Kitty this time; and taking upon ourselves the +responsibility of her future conduct. Oh, I say, Gwin, could we not do +it?" + +"It is a splendid thought," said Gwin; "much--much better than my +talking to Miss Sherrard alone. Look here, Bessie; could we not manage +to have a meeting of the Tug-of-war at my house this evening? Oh, +there's Elma; I'll ask her at once. Elma come here." + +Elma who was just shouldering her books preparatory to leaving the +school, turned when she heard Gwin's voice. + +"What is it, Gwin?" she asked; her manner was a little nervous. + +Gwin hastily repeated Bessie's daring suggestion. + +"Oh, I'll come of course," said Elma; but there was a certain amount of +apathy in her tone. + +"And I will secure Alice; I am getting quite to dislike Alice, though," +said Bessie. + +Gwin promised to write to the other girls at once, and it was finally +arranged that a meeting should be held at Harley Grove that evening +between four and five o'clock. + +Elma walked home alone, musing much over the aspect of affairs. + +"I wonder what Kitty did want with me," she said to herself. "Doubtless +it had something to do with that money. Kitty was in despair, so it +seems. Oh, there's Fred Denvers; perhaps he can tell me something? +Hullo, Fred!" + +Elma stopped; Fred was on his way from college; he was whistling a gay +air, and did not see Elma until he had almost reached her side. + +"Hullo, Elma," he answered; "how are you?" + +"Oh, I am very well, Fred, thank you; but have you heard about Kitty +Malone?" + +"How everybody does cry out Kitty Malone; it will soon be sung by the +birds in the air," said Fred; "Kitty Malone! Kitty Malone! What's the +matter with her now?" + +"Oh, she has got into the most awful scrape; of course you know what +occurred last night?" + +"Rather!" said Fred. "I was with her. I say, Elma, she is about the +pluckiest girl I ever met. Didn't she hit out straight from the +shoulder; and didn't that fellow go down like a ninepin! I don't believe +he is able to see out of his eye to-day. Why, that little hand of hers +is as hard as iron. Who taught her the art of boxing like that? She's a +born fencer! She's a splendid girl. I never met any one like her." + +Elma did not feel so much annoyed at this praise of Kitty as Alice would +have been; but all the same it was scarcely gratifying to her. After +reflecting for a moment, during which Fred was preparing to continue his +swinging pace toward his home, she said suddenly: "But where was she +going, Fred?" + +Fred's big blue eyes lit up with a sudden light of intelligence. + +"What a fool I am!" he said. "You perhaps can throw light on this +mystery. She wanted to see you, Elma. I cannot imagine what about. You +know how fond she is of her brother Laurie? Well, it seems that Laurie +got into some sort of scrape; and Kitty, poor girl, she was in a way +about it; fretting like any thing, and she said no one could help her +but you. Can you tell me what she wanted with you? She was in a rare +hurry to get to your house." + +"Of course I cannot tell," answered Elma. "Who could be responsible for +the vagaries of Kitty Malone? I thought I would ask you. I thought +perhaps you would know. Of course they are talking about it at school, +and they are wondering what I can have to do with it. It is anything but +pleasant for me I can tell you." + +"Oh, you'll manage well enough; you'll fight your own battles. Well, +what have they done with her at the school? You look quite mysterious." + +"I forgot I had never mentioned it to you. They have sent her to +Coventry; Miss Sherrard has done it. We are none of us to speak to her +for a week." + +"Whew!" said Fred, rounding his lips for a prolonged whistle. "Well, +that won't bother Kitty much; I don't suppose talking to you would be +much of a loss to her." + +"But you don't understand, Fred. It's the disgrace, and Gwin Harley +thinks it will break her heart; and--But I must not tell you any more; I +must hurry home." + +"Poor Kitty! Anyhow, there's no embargo put on my talking to her," said +Fred to himself. "Poor old Kit, poor old girl; I'll make it up to her if +I can." + +Fred ran home as fast as he could, and Elma continued her way. + +"There's no doubt of it," she said to herself; "she wants that money. +She will manage, Coventry or not, to ask for it. She promised me +faithfully that she would never tell that I borrowed it from her; but, +being an Irish girl, she is scarcely likely to keep her word. Now that +she is in trouble for some unknown cause, she is certain to blab it +out. Did she not say herself that she could never keep a secret? Oh +dear, what an awful mess I have got into. If it gets to be known that I +borrowed eight pounds from Kitty I shall be expelled. If there is a rule +that the Middleton governors are strict about, it is that by which the +girls are forbidden to borrow money from one another; and eight pounds +is such a large, large sum. All my future will be ruined if this is +known. I had better give her back all the money that is left, and at +once. It would be the safest plan. I can at any rate let her have seven +sovereigns; and perhaps if she has that, she will not say anything +whatever about the matter. How miserable I shall feel without it; but +anything, anything is better than the dreadful fact getting to Miss +Sherrard's ears that I broke one of the strictest rules of the school, +and borrowed eight pounds from Kitty. The Tug-of-war Society would never +again have anything to do with me. I should have the poorest chance of +remaining in the school. It would get to Aunt Charlotte's ears. Yes, +yes; all my future depends on keeping this thing dark. I must get rid of +that dreadful money as quickly as possible. I thought my luck was going +to turn; but it is far too good to be true that I might keep such a +large sum of money safely. Poor Kitty! yes of course, I'm sorry for her; +but she is certain to tell on me. She would think nothing of getting me +into the most terrible scrape. I--I am bound to think of myself first." + +At this point in her meditations Elma reached the house in Constantine +Road. She ran up the steps, let herself in with a latchkey, and went +straight to her room. She opened the drawer where she kept Kitty's +precious sovereigns and put in her hand to take out the little paper +parcel. More than once since she had possessed this money had Elma +examined that little packet, getting up early in the morning to gloat +over it, looking at it the last thing at night; but always taking care +that Carrie should be sound asleep. It gave her comfort, the comfort +almost of a miser to gaze at her gold. She used to forget at these +supreme moments that the gold was in reality not hers at all. She used +to forget everything but the delightful sense of possession. She felt as +if she could never spend the money, as if she must hoard it and hoard it +just for the mere pleasure of looking at it. She knew the exact corner +of the drawer where she kept it; no one ever dared to meddle with Elma's +drawers. She kept the rest of the family more or less in awe of her. As +to Maggie, she was honest as the day. But what was the matter? Search as +she would she could not find the precious little packet. She looked +frantically here, there, and everywhere. Soon she had removed the drawer +from its case and had tumbled all the contents on her bed. Nowhere was +the money to be found. Elma's face turned white as a sheet. She trembled +from head to foot. In the midst of her meditations Carrie entered the +room. + +"My dear Elma, what is the matter?" she cried. + +A glance had shown her what was really wrong. A smile crossed her face. +She walked deliberately across the room and flung herself on her bed. + +"How hot it is," she said with a pant. + +"Dear me, Carrie, why are you so incorrigibly lazy?" said Elma. "Not +that I care--I am in dreadful trouble I------" + +"You look like it," said Carrie. "What is the matter?" + +"I am looking for some money." + +"Money? What money are you likely to have?" + +"Well, it so happens that I have some--a good deal. Carrie have you seen +it?" + +"Have I seen what?" asked Carrie in a provokingly drawling voice. + +"Why, my money. How did you think I got that dress, that dress which you +are racking through at such a furious pace?" + +Carrie was attired in the pale blue nun's-veiling. It was Carrie's way +to have a dress and to wear it morning, noon, and night, destroying all +its freshness. The nun's-veiling was already dirty and draggled-looking. + +"How do you think I got that dress that you made such a fuss about if I +had not money to pay for it?" + +"I am sure I couldn't tell, and what's more, I didn't care," said +Carrie. "What is vexing you now, Elma? Oh! what a commotion you are +making in your poor drawer!" + +"I have just lost seven sovereigns and--Carrie, I see by your face that +you do know something about it. Is it possible that you stole the +money?" + +"How dare you accuse me of such a thing?" said Carrie, flaring up in +apparently most righteous indignation--- in reality she was enjoying +herself immensely. She had made up her mind not to tell Elma the truth +at present. By and by she would tell, after she had well frightened her +sister, but certainly not yet. + +"I know nothing whatever about it," she said, caring little for the lie +which she was telling. "I am sorry you have lost it; but how did you get +it?" + +Elma was silent, shutting up her lips tightly. The dinner-gong sounded, +and the girls went down to their midday meal. + +Carrie soon perceived that Elma was in real trouble. With all her low, +idle, careless, and unprincipled ways, at the bottom of her heart she +was fond of her sister. She made up her mind to visit Sam Raynes that +evening and get him to return the money. + +"Poor old Elma," she said to herself. "I don't want to be too hard on +her. It is not the fun I expected when she looks at me with such +miserable eyes. It would certainly not do for her to get talking to +Maggie." + +"You leave the matter to me. I may have a clue," she said, when dinner +was over. "But rest assured on one point, Maggie has nothing to do with +it, nor has mother." + +Here Carrie ran upstairs, to put on her things preparatory to returning +to her pupils. + +Elma was now alone. The hour was three o'clock. At half-past four she +was to meet Gwin Harley and the rest of the Tug-of-War girls. In the +meantime she knew she could not possibly have any peace of mind until +the seven sovereigns were discovered. + +Mrs. Lewis had gone up as usual to her room to lie down. She had a +headache and was in very low spirits. Elma glanced at her once or twice +and determined not to worry her; but Maggie she considered her lawful +prey. She had given Carrie no promise, and felt sure that Maggie and +Carrie between them were at the bottom of the mystery. She determined to +go into the kitchen and terrify Maggie into confession. + +That young woman was busy giving sundry touches to the charming toque +with which she intended to electrify her young man on the following +Sunday. + +"Maggie," said Elma, "I wish to speak to you." + +"Oh lor! miss, how you startled me," cried Maggie. She jumped up as she +spoke, dropping Kitty's violets to the floor. They were so natural, so +beautiful, so exactly like the real flowers, that more than one girl had +remarked upon them, and among these had been Elma. As they lay on the +by-no-means-too-clean kitchen floor, she stooped now to pick them up. + +"Where did you get these?" she asked in a sharp voice. + +"Oh, Miss Helma, they're mine, and you have no right to 'em," was the +quick reply. + +"Where did you get them, Maggie? You're a bad girl; you must have stolen +them." + +"I steal 'em! I like that," said Maggie, turning first crimson and then +very white. "They was give to me by the young Irish lady." + +"By Miss Malone, Miss Kitty Malone?" + +"Yes, miss; the prettiest young lady I ever clapped eyes on; she give +'em to me herself." + +"Look here, Maggie," said Elma, "the violets don't matter. Let us talk +of something else. Do you know anything about some money which I keep in +my drawer upstairs? Now look me straight in the eyes. I miss that money, +and you know I can call in the police and have your boxes searched. Do +you know anything about it? If you'll tell me the truth I'll be merciful +to you. Last night I had seven sovereigns in my drawer, but now they are +gone. Did you touch them, Maggie? Tell me the truth and at once." + +"I touch your money, miss! I didn't know you had any, that I didn't." + +Poor Maggie's face was a study. Perplexity, despair, indignation swept +over it in a sort of terror. + +"Miss Helma, you're cruel to talk to me like that," she cried. "Me touch +your money! No, that I didn't. Oh, miss, is it the money Miss Malone +come about? Is it gone?" + +A wild hope flashed through Elma's brain, to be discarded the next +moment. Could Kitty have come to the house and visited her room and +taken away her own money herself? + +"What do you mean about Miss Malone?" she cried. + +"She come here miss. Oh, Miss Helma, don't look at me so scornfully. She +came here yesterday and asked for you and when I told her you was out +she writ a letter, and said you was to have it the moment you come in, +and that it was as important as the Bank of England. Yes, that she +did--and she laid it on the blotter in the dining-room. She was the +prettiest young lady I ever set eyes on, and she took them violets out +of her cap and give them to me. She was in an awful way, and said she +wanted to see you on a most important matter. I don't know what she +wrote in the letter; but it may have been about the money, miss." + +"Of course it was about the money," said Elma, who felt more and more +uncomfortable each moment; "but where is the letter, Maggie? Why did I +not get it?" + +"You ask Miss Carrie that, miss. She come in, and--. Oh, but I mustn't +tell any more." + +"But you must and shall," said Elma. She took hold of Maggie fiercely by +her arm, dragged her forward to the light, and looked her full in the +eyes. "Now, tell me every single thing you know, or I'll summon the +police this moment," she said. + +Thus adjured, Maggie fell on her knees and made an ample confession. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +GWIN HARLEY'S SCHEME. + + +Elma felt nearly driven to distraction. All her future depended on the +character which she was able to maintain at school. She did not, and she +knew it, belong to the best class of girls who attended Middleton +School. Elma's father was a man of bad reputation. He had long ago +disgraced his family, and had been obliged to go to Australia. Mrs. +Lewis was better born than her husband; and when trouble came, a sister, +who had been much shocked at her marrying Lewis, came to her aid. She +did not do much for her; but she did something. This sister, a certain +Mrs. Steward, the wife of a clergyman in Buckinghamshire, promised to +look after Elma, who was the cleverest and most presentable of the two +girls. Mrs. Lewis begged that Elma should not be taken away from her; +and Mrs. Steward, angry with herself for what she termed her folly, had +yet yielded to her sister's entreaties. She said she would give Elma +what would be better than a fortune--namely, a first-class education; +and if, when her education was finished, she showed intelligence, and, +above all, a good, sterling, moral character, she would do what she +could to place her in life. Her present intention was, after Elma had +gone through a course of instruction at Middleton School, to send her +to Girton, thus enabling her by and by to take a really good position as +teacher. + +All these things Elma knew well. She was an ambitious girl; she +earnestly desired to secure a good position for herself in life. She +hated her sister Carrie's ways, and detested the grumbling, weak sort of +character which she could not but see that her mother possessed. All the +same, she was not really scrupulous nor high-principled; it was only +that the little mean ways and the petty shifts which went on in the +small house in Constantine Road sorely fretted her. Her intercourse with +girls like Gwin Harley and Bessie Challoner could not but raise her +standard. Carrie's manners and ways disgusted her more and more each +day. + +Now, as she put on her hat and prepared to walk to Harley Grove, she +could not help thinking, with great bitterness, of the unlooked-for +calamity which had come upon her. She was naturally intensely selfish, +and had no idea of sacrificing herself on this occasion. No matter to +what subterfuge she must be obliged to stoop, she would never, never, +let any of the Middleton girls know that she had broken the rule of the +school, and borrowed money from Kitty. For a Middleton girl to borrow +money at all was a black crime; but for any one to take advantage of +Kitty's innocence, her _naivete_, her wild, daring, reckless ways would +make the crime all the blacker. Elma, were such a sin to be discovered, +would be, if not expelled from the school, which was extremely likely, +at any rate tabooed on the spot by all the nice girls who went there. +Above all things, she longed for and esteemed popularity. Such a course +of treatment would be intolerable. As a matter of course, Mrs. Steward +would be told of her niece's transaction. Mrs. Steward would say, "Like +father, like daughter." She would cease to patronize Elma. The fees for +her schooling would be withdrawn, and Elma herself must sink to the +level which Carrie had long ago reached. + +"It cannot be," she thought; "whatever happens, I must keep this +miserable story from the ears of the girls and mistresses. At the +present moment I am fairly safe. Wild and reckless as Kitty is, she +would not dare to hold intercourse with any of the Middleton girls now. +Alice is the only one allowed to speak to her, and Alice she will +certainly not confide in, for she so cordially hates her. Yes, I know +perfectly well what I am going to Harley Grove for. Gwin is full of +sympathy for Kitty; so is Bessie Challoner. Romantic and silly they both +are; but Alice at least will be on my side. I will oppose the petition +which the Tug-of-war girls intend to send to Miss Sherrard. Kitty must +not be set at liberty until I can return her the money. Carrie has it, +beyond doubt. What she has done with it I don't know; but most likely I +shall be able to give it back to Kitty to-morrow." + +Having made up her mind, Elma walked briskly forward. She would she felt +certain, be very unpopular if she opposed the vote which, unless she did +something to prevent it, would be carried by the majority in Kitty's +favor. She was anxious to see some of the other Tug-of-war girls. It was +all-important that a majority should be against Kitty, not for her. + +When she arrived at the avenue which led to Harley Grove she met Alice, +and a moment later two other girls of the names of Matilda and Jessie +Forbes came pantingly up. + +"Oh, do wait for us," they cried, seeing Elma and Alice linger for a +moment at the gate. + +"Alice," said Elma, "before they join us I want to speak to you. Are you +for Kitty, or against her?" + +"How do you mean?" asked Alice in some wonder. + +"I mean, are you going to vote that this petition should be sent to Miss +Sherrard or are you not?" + +"I am going to vote against it, of course," said Alice, with a short +laugh. + +"Well, I am on your side; I wish to say so." + +"You, Elma! I thought you would never oppose Gwin Harley. You are one of +those people who know where their bread is buttered. Why do you take my +part on this occasion?" + +"Because," said Elma, flushing deeply, for, hardened little sinner as +she was, she had not perfect control over her emotions--"because I think +Kitty richly deserves what she has got. It would never do to have this +sort of thing going on at the school. But look here, Alice, if the +petition is not to be sent to Miss Sherrard, we must try and have a +majority on our side. Why should we not secure Matilda and Jessie +Forbes?" + +"I never thought of that," said Alice; "but really, Elma, now I come to +consider it, as far as I personally am concerned, I don't much care. It +matters very little to me whether Kitty gets out of Coventry or not. I +shall have to speak to her however the tide turns. You do seem strangely +eager on the subject." + +"When I join a certain side I don't wish it to be the losing one," said +Elma, as calmly as she could. "Hullo, Matilda, how out of breath you +are! You need not have run so fast; you could see that we were waiting +for you." + +"Well, you see," said Jessie Forbes, who was also panting as she came +up, "we have never yet been to Harley Grove. Is it not a very grand +place, Elma? Was it not kind of Gwin to ask us, and--Oh, of course, we +are full of sympathy for that poor, dear Kitty Malone." + +"Why do you pity her?" asked Elma coldly. + +"Because the poor darling didn't know any better. Does it not seem silly +to make such a fuss about such a trifle? I can't imagine why Miss +Sherrard has been so very severe." + +"I don't agree with you at all," said Elma. "I think Kitty richly +deserves her punishment. Of course," she added, "I don't want to be +really hard on her; but unless she is made to feel shame when she does +an _outre_ and extraordinary thing like she did last night, she will go +on doing similar deeds, and get the whole school into disgrace." + +"Oh dear, yes," said Jessie, "that is perfectly true, and I should not +like father to know that one of the Middleton girls had been spoken to +by a rude boy in the street. I really believe he would take us both from +the school." + +"If you think so," said Elma, "you ought to oppose the petition." + +"Are you going to, Elma?" + +"Certainly." + +"But you are a friend of hers, are you not?" + +"Of course I am. I am very fond of her." + +"And you oppose it for her good?" + +"Undoubtedly; altogether for her good." + +"And Miss Sherrard does know what is right," said Matilda, in a +thoughtful voice. "Miss Sherrard was never a severe teacher. We all love +her dearly." + +"And she is very fond of Kitty," said Elma. "I know that for a fact." + +"Yes, and so do I know it to my cost," said Alice shrugging her +shoulders. She walked up the avenue as she spoke. Jessie ran after her. + +"What side are you going to take Alice?" she asked. + +"Miss Sherrard's," replied Alice shortly. + +Meanwhile Elma had slipped her hand gently through Matilda's arm, and +looking up into the face of the taller girl, said in her most +insinuating voice: + +"I do think, painful as it is, that we ought to take Miss Sherrard's +side. Gwin is so enthusiastic, poor dear, and so is Bessie Challoner, +that they are certain to be led away by their feelings. Now, Miss +Sherrard is the most sympathetic and kindest of head-mistresses, she +would not have given Kitty so severe a punishment without reason." + +"That is true," said Matilda. "Only, of course, you see, Elma, I don't +want to go against Gwin. I am so terribly anxious to become her friend. +I admire her so immensely. I don't think there's any other girl in the +school to equal her." + +"I should think there isn't," said Elma with sudden warmth. + +"I am sorry she has taken Kitty Malone's part--poor Kitty! We certainly +all think her charming; but if father were to hear of it!" + +"You would not like him to take you from the school now," said Elma, +"just when you have such a good chance of the literature scholarship?" + +"I should think not; it would be a dreadful blow. But he would be--oh, I +cannot tell you how shocked he would be!" + +"And he would be more shocked, would he not, if he heard that you had +taken Kitty's part, and had signed the petition against Miss Sherrard?" + +"Of course, I never thought of that. I declare Elma, you are clever. I +will mention what you say to Jessie, and tell her that she must go +against the petition." + +Elma felt that she had won her point. There would be at least four girls +against Gwin's motion, and probably others would follow their example. + +When the girls arrived at the house, they were shown immediately into +Gwin's pretty private study. Gwin was standing by the open window. She +had a book in her hand, but was not reading it. She was looking +anxiously out. There was a perplexed expression on her fine face, and +her large deep gray eyes were full of emotion. + +"I am so glad you have come," she said when she saw the girls. "I hope +all the Tug-of-war girls will be present. The more I think of this +affair the more certain I am that it will be the ruin of Kitty Malone." + +Elma looked sympathizingly at her friend, Alice frowned, Matilda and +Jessie did not know where to look, nor what to say. If they had not met +Alice and Elma they would have certainly gone heart and soul with Gwin +in the matter. + +"Sit down, won't you, girls?" said Gwin. "Tea will be ready in a +moment--are you not thirsty?" + +"Yes, it's a very hot day," said Jessie, somewhat timidly. + +"And you had a long walk; but it was really kind of you to come. We +won't do anything until some more of the Tug-of-war Society arrive. But +perhaps my letters have not reached the others." + +"Oh, I know the Hodgsons are coming," said Matilda Forbes, "because I +met them." + +"I am glad of that. Ah, and here is Bessie." + +Bessie Challoner at this moment entered the room. She shook hands with +the Forbes girls, whom she had not met before that day, nodded to Alice, +and going up to Gwin began to whisper in her ear. + +Gwin looked more anxious. + +"All the same I am determined to do it," she said. + +"I am certain Miss Sherrard will be very angry," said Bessie. "Had you +really better, Gwin?" + +"I certainly had better. I am not afraid of Miss Sherrard, nor twenty +Miss Sherrards, when I think I have a righteous cause. She does not know +Kitty as well as I know her. Ah, here you are," she said as, the +Hodgsons, two rather dowdy, but affectionate girls, came quickly into +the room. + +"What's this Gwin?" cried Mary, the elder; "something wrong with that +Irish girl? What can be up?" + +"I will explain everything to you after we have had tea. Ah, here it +comes!" + +Gwin walked to the table, where the footman now placed tea and cakes, +and began to dispense the refreshments. The girls stood round her +chatting, munching cake and drinking tea. The afternoon sun poured into +the room. Outside it was cool and shady. Gwin went to the window and +drew down the green venetian blinds. + +"Now, that is cooler," she said. "Have you all had enough?" + +"Yes, thank you," answered one or two. + +Gwin rang the bell, and the servant came to remove the tea equipage. + +"And now to business," said Gwin. "What I briefly propose to do is this: +Kitty Malone is in trouble. As a member of the Tug-of-war Society, the +rest of the society is bound to support her. I am most anxious that she +should get all the support in our power. She is not like any of us; she +has been differently brought up. What she did last night was the result +of impetuosity and overzeal. She was troubled about her brother, and for +some extraordinary reason thought that Elma could help her. Elma, can +you throw any light on the matter?" + +"None whatever," answered Elma in a stout voice. + +"She went out with the college cap on and without her jacket, and for +that reason some rough, rude boys talked to her, and she knocked one of +them down in trying to defend herself, and so got into a terrible +scrape. Miss Worrick, it seems, witnessed the transaction, and she told +Miss Sherrard. Miss Sherrard was very much annoyed, and has put Kitty +into Coventry for a week. We are none of us allowed, on pain of instant +dismissal, to speak to her. Now, my proposal is this; that we write a +little petition, and each of us sign it, and then that I take it to Miss +Sherrard. I want to ask Miss Sherrard to allow the members of the +Tug-of-war Society to speak to Kitty. I want to ask her to allow us all +to do our best during her week's punishment to show her that this wild +and erratic way will not go down in England; I want her to allow us to +do our utmost by kindness to overcome Kitty's wild nature. I have +scarcely any doubt, girls, that Miss Sherrard will approve of our +scheme." + +"Well, I for one approve of it most heartily," said Bessie Challoner. "I +believe severity would ruin a girl like Kitty. You cannot drive her; she +must be led." + +"Thank you, Bessie. I knew you would feel with me. And now, girls, I +will put this thing to the vote. All who are in favor of the scheme hold +up their hands." + +The Forbes girls looked tremblingly, with flushed cheeks and glittering +eyes, at Elma and Alice. Their hands went half up and then dropped again +into their laps. It was the fear of their father's displeasure which +prevented their going altogether with Gwin. The Hodson girls immediately +held up their hands; but Alice, Elma, Matilda, and Jessie plainly showed +that they did not mean to sign the petition. + +"Is this possible?" said Gwin in a vexed voice. "I surely thought there +was not--Elma, you must be at the head of this. What is your reason for +not joining us?" + +Alice looked as if she were about to speak; but Elma jumped at once to +her feet. + +"I don't join you because I do not agree with you, dear Gwin. I believe +Miss Sherrard knows a great deal better than we do what is good for a +girl. I am certain she will be much annoyed by our interfering; and for +my part I think a week in Coventry will do Kitty Malone no harm." + +"I am surprised and disappointed in you, Elma," said Gwin, "Alice, what +is your feeling?" + +"Oh, I absolutely agree with Elma," said Alice. "I think it would be a +rare comfort to take any means to subdue and crush out of sight, even +for one week, that most obnoxious person Kitty Malone. The unfortunate +part is that I shall have to do with her even during her week in +Coventry." + +"But surely," said Gwin, in some astonishment, "you two Forbes girls can +have nothing to say against Kitty. It cannot injure you in any way that +we should plead for the mitigation of her punishment." + +"Well, the fact is this," said Jessie, standing up as she spoke, and +looking very miserable. "Father is most particular; he is almost faddy, +you know, Gwin--and if he ever heard that a girl from the school did +exactly what Kitty did last night--I mean that she went out so late +against rules, and was dressed in such a queer way, and was obliged to +knock down a rude boy in order to protect herself--why, I think he would +take us from school. Then if father also heard that we had gone against +Miss Sherrard's authority, we--Oh, I cannot say it exactly as I ought; +but Gwin, I would rather not sign that paper." + +"All right," answered Gwin in some vexation. + +"Then my scheme falls through. Four against and four for. We have only +one other member of the Tug-of-war except poor Kitty herself, and she, I +am afraid, cannot come, as she is ill with a bad cold. Well, I shall see +Miss Sherrard alone and must take my chance." + +"Yes, if you please; that would be much the best plan," said Jessie, +sinking down into her seat with a sigh of relief. + +Soon afterward the little party at Gwin Harley's house separated. There +was a feeling of restraint over them which Gwin's guests seldom +experienced. They were not at one. It was impossible to talk any longer +on the subject with which their hearts were full. Gwin was anxious to +prepare the exact arguments she intended to use with Miss Sherrard. She +looked relieved when Elma made the first move of departure. Alice jumped +up also with alacrity. + +"Good-by Gwin," she said. "I think you are doing wrong to interfered in +this matter. A little punishment will do Kitty Malone no more harm than +it does any other girl. Of course it's not pleasant; punishment never +is. Good-by; take my advice and allow Kitty Malone to shift for +herself." + +Gwin made no reply at all to this. She gave Alice a cold nod, and the +four girls who now formed the opposition left the house. + +"Good-by to all chance of my friendship with Gwin," said Jessie Forbes +rather miserably as they walked up the avenue. + +"Oh, never mind, Jessie, you did the right thing," said Alice. "What is +the good of toadying? I hate toadies. If you are ever to become a +friend of Gwin Harley's you will see that she hates them also, although, +perhaps I am wrong to say that." Here she glanced somewhat significantly +at Elma. Elma colored and turned her head aside. + +When they reached the top of the avenue the girls turned each to go +their several ways. Elma hurried home as fast as she could. + +"I must get that money by hook or by crook this evening," she said to +herself. "I wonder where Carrie has hidden it. Bad as she is, she would +certainly not steal it from me. Oh, it is safe of course, and I must get +it and manage to convey it to Kitty to-night, and then as far as I am +concerned I don't care how soon the poor thing gets out of Coventry." + +When Elma reached home the first person she saw was Carrie. Carrie was +standing on the steps of the shabby little villa in Constantine Road +talking to a fiery-haired young man. + +Elma never condescended to have anything to do with Raynes. Giving him a +very cold nod now, she was about to enter the house when Carrie caught +her arm and stopped her. + +"Why don't you speak to Sam?" she said. "Sam, this is my sister, Elma." + +"How do you do?" said Elma. "I am sorry I cannot wait now; I want to see +mother." + +"There's no use in your going in if it's mother you want," pursued +Carrie. "She has gone out for the evening. Mrs. Duncan has asked her to +tea. I am glad of it. A little change will do her good." + +"I won't keep you now, Car," said Raynes, turning to Carrie and giving +her a somewhat clumsy nod. He looked askance at Elma, and the next +moment had clattered down the steps, and, turning the corner, was out of +sight. + +"What a creature!" said Elma. "I wonder you have anything to do with +him, Carrie. I think, even for my sake, seeing that Aunt Charlotte is +doing so much for me--" + +"Now stop that," said Carrie; "I won't have a word of abuse against Sam. +He suits me very well. I'm not a fine lady, and I never mean to be a +fine lady. I shall be very comfortable as his wife some day, and I don't +want you to abuse him. Whether you like him or not, he is going to be +your brother-in-law and--Why, Elma, how tired you look!" + +"I am tired and worried, and I want to speak to you," said Elma. + +"To speak to me?" answered Carrie, a little alarm coming into her voice +in spite of herself. "What for? Anything special? Are you prepared to +make me a present of another dress; I could do with a white one now the +weather is getting so very hot, and Sam would like me in white. White +with pink ribbons would be a change, or mauve--mauve ribbons look so +sweetly cool with white." + +"I am not going to listen to any of your nonsense," said Elma. "I want +to ask you a straight question. Where is my money?" + +"Your money? What do you mean?" + +"What I say. I have heard the whole story from Maggie, and I can bring +her as a witness. You have put that money in hiding, and I want it at +once. There, Carrie, like a dear old soul, do own up. Let me have the +money without any more delay. Of course you have not stolen it. I know +you have not; but you have hidden it. I wish you would give it back now. +If I can't return it to its rightful owner to-night I shall get into +worse trouble. Do let me have the money back." + +Carrie's face also now became pale. + +"I wish I could," she said in a frightened voice. "Do you mean to say +that you really want it back?" + +"Why, of course. You haven't spent it? Oh, if you have I am +ruined--ruined for life." + +"No, I have not spent it; but the fact is I--What a little wretch that +Maggie was to tell!" + +"She couldn't help herself; I made her. Now, speak out, Carrie. Oh, we +need not go indoors. Where is the money? Please, please, Carrie, let me +have it at once." + +Elma's troubled face, her trembling hands, the anxiety depicted all over +her nervous little figure, could not but show Carrie that there was +something serious in the wind. + +"Well," she said, "I am awfully sorry. I--I just did it in a fit of +mischief. I read that letter which Kitty Malone wrote to you, and it +seemed to throw light on some of your actions which had puzzled me of +late. I went to your drawer and found the money, and thought I would +give it to Sam to keep for you." + +"To Sam Raynes?" cried Elma, backing a few steps, her voice assuming a +tone of terror. + +"Yes. Do be careful, Elma, or you'll fall right down into the area. Why +shouldn't I lend it to Sam Raynes?" + +"Lend it?" + +"Well, well, it's all the same; I asked him to keep it for me." + +"I'll go to him at once and get it," said Elma, preparing to run down +the steps. + +Carrie caught her by the arm. + +"I'm awfully sorry," she said, "but it's no use, he--he says we cannot +have it for a week, perhaps a fortnight. He is doing a little deal with +it, as he expresses it. He says perhaps we'll have it back doubled." + +"What can you mean, Carrie?" Elma knew nothing whatever about +speculation. That will-o'-the-wisp which leads so many astray had not +yet entered into her life. + +"You need not look so miserable. Won't you like to have it back again, +not seven pounds but fourteen? and Sam says this will probably be the +case in a week or a fortnight, or at any rate in a month from now." + +Elma threw up her hand in despair. + +"If I have to wait a month for the money," she said, "I may as well +never have it. Oh Carrie, what have you done? You have ruined me, ruined +me! Carrie, I cannot lead a low, common life like yours; I am not fit +for it. Oh, Aunt Charlotte will never do anything more for me after +this. Kitty wants the money, and I cannot give it to her. Oh, Carrie, to +think that you should have ruined my life!" + +Poor Elma covered her face with her trembling hands and went into the +house. She entered the shabby little sitting-room and sank into the +nearest chair. Carrie stood near her in real perplexity and agitation. + +"What a pity you didn't confide in me when you brought it home," she +said. "Of course I didn't really want to do you an ill turn, Elma; but +you were so sly and secretive, and--and I thought I would have my joke. +You don't know how precious dull my life is; and when I saw that letter +and felt that you were keeping a nice little hoard of money, all private +and without the knowledge of your sister, it was just too much for me, +and I took it to Sam because I didn't know where to hide it safe in this +house." + +"The thing that matters," said Elma, "is the fact that I cannot get it +back. But I must get it; I must see Sam Raynes at once." + +"Tell me why it is so bad," said Carrie. "You must confide the whole +thing to me now. There's no use in keeping secrets from your sister." + +Thus adjured, and because she was almost distracted, poor Elma did tell. +She described as well as she could the terrible position she would be in +at Middleton School if the whole of this transaction were known. She +managed to a certain extent to open Carrie's eyes. + +"Although, I cannot see what they would be so angry about," said Carrie. +"You were offered the money and you accepted it. You never wanted to +keep it; you would have given it back some time; and even if you did +keep that Irish girl out of it for a month, what would it have mattered? +But there--I see you are in a state, and I am sure I don't want to ruin +your life. You, with your high-faluting notions, must not have all your +ambitions dashed to the ground. We'll go together to see Sam, and try to +find out what can be done." + +"Yes, let us go at once," said Elma in feverish haste. "I wanted to take +the money to Kitty to-night. At present she cannot tell on me; but she is +quite certain to do so if I don't return it to her at once. Let us go +down to see Sam now." + +"All right," answered Carrie; "come along. I dare say we'll find him at +home. I hope we shall." + +Five minutes later the girls were standing outside the door of the +Raynes' very humble dwelling. It was opened by Florrie Raynes herself. + +"Hullo, Carrie, what do you want now?" she cried. "Oh, and _Miss_ +Lewis," with a mocking emphasis on the word "Miss." "To what do we owe +the honor of this visit?" + +"I want to see your brother," said Elma brusquely. "He has got some +money of mine, which I must ask him to have the goodness to return at +once." + +"Money?" said Florrie, opening her eyes rather wide. "Well, you can see +him for yourselves; but if it's money that is lent to Sam, I--I rather +pity the girl who wants to get it back from him again. Sam is a very +whale on money. He always swallows it wholesale." + +With these anything but encouraging words, Florrie threw open the door +of the shabby little smoking-room, where Sam, with a pipe in his mouth, +was lying at his ease. He started up when he saw the girls, removed his +pipe, and going up to Carrie, laid his hand familiarly on her shoulder. + +"Well, Car, so you could not do without me," he said with a smile. + +"The fact is this," answered Elma, "my sister has told me that she gave +you seven pounds a couple of nights ago to keep for her. That money +happens to have been lent to me, and I want it back immediately. I have +come for it. Will you give it to me, please?" + +Sam drew in his breath preparatory to giving a long whistle. + +"Highty! tighty!" he cried. "You have very grand airs, Miss Elma Lewis; +but I didn't know that money was borrowed. Ho! ho! this puts a very +unpleasant complexion on things. When dear old Car brought it to me I +thought I might do what I liked with it. Did you not give me to +understand as much Car?" Here he gave Carrie a perceptible wink. She was +very much under his influence, and immmediately too her cue. + +"Well, yes, Sam," she answered. "I did say you might speculate with it +if you liked." + +"Of course you did, my little girl, and I took the hint and did +speculate with it, and a pretty little deal I made. So if you have +patience, Miss Elma, you will get your money back doubled, then you will +be able to return the principal and have a nice little nest-egg of your +own. Now, what do you say to that? Aren't you awfully obliged to me?" + +"I say," replied Elma, "that I want the money immediately. I cannot wait +until you have doubled it, as you call it, whatever you mean by that. +Please let me have it at once, Mr. Raynes. I must have it, I----" + +"I am afraid you ask for the impossible," said Sam in a careless tone. +"I have speculated with the money, and the returns will come in perhaps +in a week, perhaps a fortnight, perhaps longer. I say again that you +ought to be obliged to me. It is not every fellow who would take so much +trouble." + +Poor Elma gave him a despairing glance. There was evidently nothing more +to be got out of him. She left the house without a word. Carrie followed +her into the street. + +"Oh Elma, don't look so miserable," said Carrie. "What is the good of +sinking into despair?" + +"Don't talk to me," said Elma, pushing her sister's hand away. "You have +ruined me; that is the sort of sister you are. And I would have done +anything for you, Carrie. When I rose myself and improved myself in the +social scale, when I got my post as teacher, I would have done all in my +power to aid you and mother; but now--now we must all sink together. Oh, +Carrie, to think that I should be ruined by my own sister!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +PADDY WHEEL-ABOUT'S OLD COAT. + + +It was a moonlit evening in the County Donegal, and there was a broad +bar of silver shining in burnished splendor across the beautiful Lake +Coulin. Two boys were standing on the edge of the lake. A +prettily-trimmed little boat was lying at their feet. One, the taller of +the two, was standing with his hand up to his ear, listening intently. + +"Ah, then, Pat, can't you stop that shuffling?" he cried to his younger +companion. "I can't listen if you keep whistling and moving your feet. +It is about time for Daneen to appear. Kitty is sure to send the tinos, +dear old girl. Father takes care to keep her well supplied." + +"There, I hear Dan's horn; he is coming through the Gap," cried Pat, his +face lighting up. "Stay there, Laurie, and I'll run to meet him. He'll +just be at the other side of Haggart's Glen when I get up." + +The younger boy put wings to his feet, and the next moment was out of +sight. The older boy, thrusting both his hands deep into his pockets, +stood staring straight before him into the silver light caused by a full +moon. The white radiance lit up his young person, his pronounced +features, and handsome face. There were gloomy depths in his big black +eyes, although the slightest movement, the faintest play of expression +would cause them to dance with vitality and fun; the petulant +expression, round lips, curved and cut with the delicacy of a cameo, was +very manifest. The lad was built in almost Herculean mould, so broad +were his shoulders, so upright and tall his young figure. With his head +thrown back, the listening attitude on his face, his black hair swept +from his forehead, he looked almost like a young god--all was _verve_, +expectancy, eagerness in his attitude. + +"If only Kitty is true it will be all right," he muttered. "Ah, then, +what a fool I was when I allowed the other fellows to tempt me to play +that practical joke on old Wheel-about. I don't think the governor minds +anything else; but he cannot stand our making fun of that poor, old, +half-witted chap. Never again will I do such a thing. I would not have +father know this matter for all the world. Hullo! there comes Pat. I +wonder if he has got my letter." + +"Nothing, nothing, and worse than nothing," sang out Pat, extending two +empty hands as he approached. + +"No letter for me?" cried Laurie. He stepped out of the light, and +striding up to his brother, laid one of his big hands on the boy's +slighter shoulder. "No letter? But did you really meet Daneen?" + +"Of course I did. Don't grip me so hard, old chap. He had only one +letter in his pocket, and that was for Aunt Honora, two newspapers for +father, and a heap of circulars--nothing else whatever." + +"But are you certain sure? Surely Kitty would not fail a gossoon when he +was in trouble." + +"I tell you, Laurie, there was nothing from her, nor from any one, +except that one letter for Aunt Honora; but perhaps you'll hear in the +morning." + +Laurie made no reply; his hands dropped to his sides. The next moment he +dived into his trousers pocket and extracted a few coins. + +"Have we enough for a telegram, I wonder?" he said. "Ah, to be +sure--why, we can send one now for sixpence. And I have tenpence here. +I'll wire at once. I say, Pat, we must go to the nearest post office, +and to-night. We will start now; do you mind? We can row across the +Coulin, and anchor the boat at the opposite side, and then it is only +eight miles across the mountains to Ballyshannon." + +"But James Dunovan will have shut up the office," exclaimed Pat; "and if +we are absent from supper what will father say?" + +"Old Jim knows us; he'll open fast enough when he hears that we two lads +have come on business." + +"But they can't send the telegram after the office is shut." + +"Don't make difficulties, Pat. I tell you this is a serious business. +You don't want to be banished from the country do you? We'll go +to the post office at once, and see that the message is sent to Kitty +the very first thing in the morning. Come, what are young lingering +for?" + +"Supper is waiting, and Aunt Bridget will make a fuss. You know we are +not allowed to be out after ten at night." + +"Bother!" cried Laurie. "Well, then, we must go home first. What a +nuisance. We'll have a bite, and then slink out. The dad can think we +have gone to bed. Why, Pat, old boy, I met Wheel-about to-day, and he +was like a mad man. He told me he had collected all that money for his +funeral. What apes we were to touch the coat!" + +"Sure, it's unlike Kitty not to write," said Pat. "She is the last in +the world to leave a fellow in the lurch." + +"Don't I know that? Who's fault it is it isn't hers, poor old girl. +Something has happened to the letter. Now, Pat, let us get supper over, +for we have no time to lose." + +As Laurie spoke he fastened the little boat securely by a rope to a +stone near by, and then the lads turned their backs upon the +silver-burnished lake, and strode into the darkness of a narrow mountain +defile. The path was steep, and they had to scramble up, doing so with +the agility of young ponies. + +"It is the thought of Wheel-about that bothers me entirely," said +Laurie, after a pause. "I don't want to have it lying on my soul--upon +my honor I don't--that I turned the poor old chap's brain still +crazier." + +"Oh, the money will come along before Saturday," said Pat; "and you know +you told him he must wait until Saturday. Don't you worry, Laurie. Come +on, I tell ye; there's the gong sounding at the Castle." + +The deep notes of a very sonorous old gong were distinctly borne on the +breeze; the boys ran, hurrying and panting. A few moments later they had +climbed an almost inaccessible rock, had tumbled over each other up a +lawn, and entered a huge hall, where supper was spread. Squire Malone +was seated at the head of the table; down both sides were crowded +guests and different retainers--Squire Malone's cousins, all of them, +some to the fifth or sixth removed. Miss Honora Malone was at the foot +of the table, and Miss Bridget presided at the tea tray at one of the +sides. + +"Sit down, you lads," roared the squire when he saw his sons; "you have +been keeping us waiting. Now take your places and fall to." + +The boys dropped into the seats reserved for them without a word. They +were hungry, and enjoyed the abundant fare provided. Miss Honora began +to address them with a volley of words. + +"Ah, then, boys," she said, "it is ashamed of you I am. Why should you +come in to supper like that, without your hair brushed or your hand +washed and looking as rough as a pair of young colts? Look at me, now, +how neat I am--I have changed my dress for the evening." As she spoke +she glanced at her thin arms, bare to the elbow, and touched the gold +chain that encircled her scraggy throat. "You'll never get Dublin +manners, you two," she continued, "and what will you do when you go into +society? Ah, it is enough to break the heart to look at ye." + +Laurie winked boldly at her; Pat laughed, and helped himself so some +potatoes. + +"Dennis," called out the lady, addressing her brother, "don't you agree +with me that it is very bad manners on the part of the boys to come to +supper without so much as washing their hands or brushing their hair? +Ought they not to put on evening clothes now that they are almost +assuming manhood's estate?" + +"Oh, leave 'em alone, Honor," was the reply. "Boys will be boys, and +Castle Malone is Liberty Hall. Time enough a few years hence to put on +that high-faluting style. I like 'em as they are: rough diamonds no +doubt, but diamonds all the same." + +The old man looked fondly at his sons. He was a picturesque-looking +figure, with snow-white hair. + +"What will you do, lads, when I send you to England to school?" he said. + +"England, father?" said Pat, turning pale. "It would kill me to leave +the soil on which I was born. Ah, now, father, I could not live through +it; and as to Laurie, why he would--Laurie, you know what you would do." + +"Oh, father's joking," said Laurie, but his face went a little white, and +as he drained off a great glass of ice-cold water his hand trembled a +trifle. + +"It would not be for the making of our happiness, father," he said, just +glancing at his father. "Pat is right--it would about kill us both." + +"You young beggars, kill you, indeed!" cried the squire. "Well, I have +not made my plans yet. I am thinking of it, and you may as well know it. +I have sent the girleen away, and if you can't stand what she can, why, +I don't think you have much grit in you. As to Pat, when he's a little +older he'll have to prepare for the army." + +"Ay, and that's a fine polishing up," said Aunt Bridget, bridling as she +spoke, and arranging the set of her very fashionable sleeve. "My jewel +of a lad, you'll know what life is like then. You'll think a deal of +your clothes, and of the sort of thing that will kill the girls then. +Why, if you know how to manage, and with my help I dare say I can +contrive it for you, you'll get easily into the very height of Dublin +society, and be petted, and spoiled, and coaxed no end. I wonder, now, +how that girleen is conducting herself. Sometimes, Dennis when I look at +you and think how your heart is wrapped up in her and how she is so to +speak the jewel of your eye and the core of your heart I wonder how you +had the courage to let her go." + +"Don't you worry me about it," cried the squire. "I did it for her good. +Laurie, where are you off to?" + +"I have had about enough supper," answered Laurie. Pat also scrambled +to his feet. + +"You are as ill-mannered a pair of young cubs as I ever came across," +cried Miss Honora, now really angry. "Why, the syllabub is coming on +soon, and the trifle, and the cream that I whipped myself. Well, Pat, +you'll have to mend your manners when you get into the army; and as to +you Laurie, you'll never be as good a squire as your father, try hard as +you may." + +A loud laugh at the head of the table interrupted the good lady's flow +of words. + +"Honora, my woman, you are talking to the air," called out the squire. +"The boys are out of earshot. Bless 'em can't you let 'em be? They are +hearty lads, and I don't think I'll send either of them out of the +country unless they happen to displease me." + +Meanwhile the lads had gone down to the lake, unshipped the little boat, +and were by this time half across the Coulin. They soon reached the +opposite shore, jumped to land, pulled up the boat, fastened it, and +started along a long narrow and mountainous path which was the shortest +cut to Ballyshannon. They walked so quickly and the hill was so steep +that they had little or no time for words. Nor were they boys who talked +much when they were alone. Laurie was given to his own meditations. Pat +was always planning some scheme which should circumvent Aunt Honora, who +lived with them, and annoy Aunt Bridget, who nearly lived with them, +although not quite. Aunt Bridget was the most fashionable member of the +family; her real home was in Dublin. She was the one who had worked upon +the squire's feelings until he had decided to send Kitty to an English +school. Pat was not fond of either of his aunts, but he disliked Aunt +Bridget the most. After an hour-and-a-half's brisk walking they reached +Ballyshannon, knocked up the postmaster, who had gone to bed, asked him +to let them in, and confided to him what they wanted. He was a +hearty-looking Irishman, and was soon as much interested in the telegram +which Laurie was to send as the boy was himself. + +"You have heard what a scrape I have got into?" said Laurie. + +"About that poor, mad fellow?" said James Dunovan. + +"Yes; some other fellows and I stole his coat away in a fit of frolic +that day when we were out in the crazy boat on the Coulin. A sudden +breeze got up and the boat upset; and the coat--bad luck to it--sank to +the bottom like a stone. We have tried to get it up, but it is all no +go; it has got right into the mud, and not all the boys in Ireland +could move it. If the squire heard we had played a trick on Wheel-about +he would just do what I don't want him to." + +"And what may that be, Master Laurie?" + +"Why, Jim, he would banish me to England. You think of that!" + +"Ah, to be sure, sir; and it would be a hard punishment entirely, and +all for a boy's freak. But how can you circumvent him, sir? that's the +puzzle, for old Wheel-about is as sly a fellow as walks. He knows his +power with the squire--there's a story about, but I have not got the +rights of it. Anyhow, the squire is always trying to help him. If he +cannot get his coat in which he has hidden all his money he will go +raving mad about the country, and the squire will soon get at the bottom +of the mischief." + +"Oh, that's all right," answered Laurie. I saw there was no help for it, +and I took Wheel-about into my confidence. He promised if I gave him ten +pounds by Saturday next to let the matter of the coat slip by. He said +he would never tell." + +"I wonder now if the craychur is to be trusted," muttered Jim, in a +thoughtful tone. + +"Oh, yes, he is, Jim; don't you meet trouble halfway. If once he gets +the money everything will be as right as possible. But this 'gram must +go off, and you must see to it for me." + +"I'll do that, sir, and welcome, the very moment the office opens its +doors in the morning." + +"How soon do you think it will reach my sister?" + +"Well, to be sure, I expect in about half an hour or an hour at the +most. I often think I'd like to see them messages a-tumbling along the +wires. Do you believe as they go by the wires sir?" + +"Oh, I suppose so; I don't bother my head about it. Now, then, Jim, hand +us a form and we'll fill it in. What do you think we had best say, Pat?" + +"Make it strong," said Pat. + +"Yes, I know that." Laurie stood biting the end of his pencil and +considering the blank form which Jimmy had provided him with. + +"We must make it powerful strong," he said after a pause. "If dad hears +this, we two are about done, Pat. He's the easiest old boy in the world, +but when once he takes the bit between his teeth he is just like Slieve +Loon, our new mare. But I must not keep you up Jim; you are wanting to +get back to your bed." + +"It don't matter, sir; don't you hurry yourself. I told the wife it was +two of the young gentlemen from Castle Malone, and she said I wasn't to +mind how much time I spent with you; it was only proper respect to the +family." + +"All right Jim. Now, then, Pat, what shall I say?" + +"Hurry up," said Pat; "if you're not sleepy I am, and the whole house +will be locked up if we are not quick." + +"I cracked a pane of glass in our window on purpose this morning," said +Laurie. "I thought it might turn out convenient." + +Pat laughed. Laurie, his face flushed, bent over the telegraph form. +After a time, during which beads of perspiration stood out on his +forehead, the following message was transcribed: + +"Miss Kitty Malone, care of Mrs. Denvers, Franklin Avenue, Middleton, +London, S.E.--Wake up, old girleen; hurry with the tin.--Laurie." + +"That's the time of day," he said. "You read it, Jim. Can you make out +the address plain?" + +"Yes, to be sure," answered Jim. "Very well, sir; this shall go. I am +sorry you're in trouble, sir; but I know the squire sends a lot of money +to Miss Kitty, for he is always coming here for postal orders." + +"Oh, I am safe to have it," said Laurie. "Well, good-night Jim, and long +life to you." + +The boys left the office and retraced their steps across the mountain. +They had gone about halfway home when they were interrupted by a curious +sort of sound, something between a croon and a chant. It came nearer and +nearer, and the next moment a grotesque figure showed clearly in the +moonlight. This was no other than Paddy Wheel-about himself. He was a +tall man, with a long shaggy beard, penthouse eyebrows, and eyes which +were lit now with a fitful and uncertain gleam. He was dressed in rags, +his hat was pushed far back on his head, his hair streamed over his +shoulders. The savage and yet pathetic-looking creature stopped now +before the two boys. + +"I say, Paddy, it is all right," said Laurie, going up to him and laying +his hand on his shoulder. "You'll get the tin I promised either +to-morrow morning or the day after. I have just sent a telegram to the +girleen in England. Why, Kitty wouldn't let you suffer; no, not if it +were to break her heart." + +A wild and yet softened look came into the man's eyes. + +"It is because of the girleen I'm fretting," he said. "Listen, you two, +I feel fit to die sometimes when I think the coat is lost, and it is all +on account of the girleen herself. Why, it was she put in the last patch +and a bit of gold was hidden in it; yes, and she sewed it round with her +own pretty hands, the darling." + +"We'll get back the coat some day, see if we don't," said Laurie. "And +meanwhile Paddy, you are safe to have your money on Saturday." + +"All right if I do," said Paddy; "if not it is all wrong. I go to Squire +Malone. Yes, I go to Squire Malone; but I'll wait until Saturday. I +promise that much, and I'll keep my word." + +"You'll keep your word for Kitty's sake?" said Laurie. + +The man nodded; again his eyes softened and changed in expression, the +next moment he had turned on his heel and was out of sight. + +"I do believe the only person he cares for in the world is Kitty," said +Laurie. "Do you remember when he was so ill he would only allow Kitty to +visit him? I say, Pat, we must get back that coat somehow; but in the +meantime the ten pounds will keep matters quiet." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +"WE ARE BOTH IN THE SAME BOAT." + + +Gwin had explained all her points, and Miss Sherrard had listened to her +with indulgence, sympathy, and comprehension. They were seated together +in Miss Sherrard's charming little sitting-room. + +"I am glad you take such an interest in Kitty," she said when the girl +had stopped speaking. + +"I do. She is uncommon; she is unlike anybody else," said Gwin Harley. +"I hope," she added, looking anxiously at the head-mistress, "that you +will feel it right so far to mitigate her punishment as to allow the +Tug-of-war girls to talk to her. This seems just the time for a society +of this sort to help its members. + +"There's a great deal in what you say, Gwin; but all the same, to my +regret, I am obliged distinctly to refuse your request." + +Gwin's face, which had been slightly flushed, now turned pale. She rose +to her feet. + +"Don't be hurt with me, dear," said the mistress in a gentle voice. "I +admire you for your kindness, Gwin, and I can also see the thing from +your point of view; but all the same Middleton School is a very +important one; there are from six to seven hundred girls here. Most of +these girls have got parents; all have got guardians and friends. It +would not do for them to know that such a wild and reckless act as +Kitty Malone has perpetrated should be passed over without a severe +punishment. Kitty will live through this week of isolation and be all +the better for it. At the end of that time you Tug-of-war girls can do +all in your power to help her. For this one week I must insist on her +living in Coventry. She will do her lessons, of course, for it would not +be at all wise to give her a holiday; but no girl belonging to the +school with the exception of Alice must speak to her." + +"I am sorry; and you will forgive me for saying, without any disrespect +to you, that I think you are wrong," answered Gwin. She now held out her +hand to Miss Sherrard. Miss Sherrard took it and pressed it gently. + +"You are a very good girl, Gwin; and I wish with all my heart and soul +that I could grant your request." + +Meanwhile Kitty had returned to the Denvers' house in a whirl of +passionate protest and indignation. She could not understand why she had +been punished. The sin she had committed did not seem to be any sin at +all to her. What did it matter how she dressed or when she went out? The +fact that she had broken a very strict rule of Middleton School did not +affect her. She was now seriously unhappy--the fetters with which she +was surrounded tortured her. How could she live through the terrible +week of isolation? And what made her more wretched than anything else +was the fact that she could not see Elma in order to get the money from +her to send to Laurie. + +Kitty and Laurie had always been more than ordinary friends. The +thoughts of each were known to the heart of the other. If there was one +person in the wide world whom Kitty loved with passion, almost with +idolatry, it was her handsome brother Laurie. The bare idea that Laurie +should plead to Kitty to help him, and that Kitty would be obliged to +turn a deaf ear to his entreaties was enough to madden the reckless +girl. + +The whole of that afternoon she spent in her bedroom, pacing up and down +like a young caged tiger. Mrs. Denvers went to talk to her, but Kitty +would not speak. She would pour out her troubles to no one. Her proud +Irish heart felt as if it would burst from misery; but she would not +stoop to the sympathy of those who, she felt, could not possibly +understand her. + +Of all the Denver family, she liked Fred the best; and when he ventured +to knock at her door in the course of the evening she did not refuse to +open it to him. + +"Come along downstairs at once, Kitty," said Fred, holding out his hand +to her. + +"I would rather stay where I am, Fred, asthore." + +"I say it's a beastly shame to have you treated like this." + +"Oh, don't begin to sympathize with me," said Kitty; "if you do, I'll +cry the ocean full of tears. I am holding them back hard now. You don't +know what a thing it is when an Irish girl fairly gives way." + +"Well, they're beastly hard on you; but I'm sure I would not cry if I +were you," said Fred. I'd just be too proud. But come downstairs to my +den, Kitty; I have made it awfully comfortable." + +"Your den?" said Kitty, her eyes lighting up; "have you got one?" + +"Yes; it's not in the house; it's in the garden, at the further end. +It's a shed; but I have made it waterproof, and I have got a little +lamp, an oil one; and we can sit there and have a jolly talk." + +For a moment Kitty's eyes sparkled with renewed hope. "And I have still +got some chocolates in my drawer," she exclaimed. "We might eat them +together and have a real good time. But oh, that money! it's the money +that's bothering me entirely. Oh dear! dear! I'll let the whole thing +out if I talk any more to you Fred. Fred, it's the true comfort you are +to me, and I'll never forget it to the longest day I live; but I can't +go to that shed with you, gossoon asthore, for if I did I'd let out +everything." + +"But why shouldn't you let out everything?" said Fred. "There's +something bothering you, and you're keeping it all to yourself." + +"But I promised I wouldn't tell, and I don't want to break my word. I +said when she asked me, 'No; I can't keep secrets;' but then it was put +in such a way that I must keep it. I can't go with you Fred; pray don't +ask me again. Good-by to you, and thank you, thank you." + +Kitty ran into her room, shut the door, locked it, and retreated to the +window, to be as far as possible from Fred's insinuating voice and ways. + +Mr. and Mrs. Denvers were out again that night, and the time dragged +terribly. Kitty wondered how she was to live through a whole week of +this torture. + +"I promised Elma that I would not tell about her asking me for that +money," she said to herself. "I wish I hadn't said so now; but she +seemed so earnest, and I really thought nothing of it at the time. Oh +dear, dear! I wonder she does not bring it to me. She must be the +meanest of the mean. I never liked her; but now I hate her. Poor, poor, +dear old Wheel-about! Don't I know what he is feeling, and what Laurie +is feeling, my broth of a boy, my Laurie, asthore! Oh, to think that he +is in trouble, and I can't help him! How I wish I was back in Ireland +now! This will break my heart--it will break my heart." + +Tears filled her eyes; but she was too proud to let them roll over. + +"I will keep them back if I die for it," she said to herself. "I am +Kitty Malone, and they will break my heart if this goes on; but I won't +cry. No, that I won't." + +While these thoughts were coursing through the poor girl's brain, there +came another knock at the door; an insistent and somewhat fierce one +this time. The handle was sharply turned, and the clear voice of Alice +was heard. + +"Open the door at once, please, Kitty," she said. + +Kitty crossed the room, turned the key in the lock, and allowed Alice to +enter. + +"I must beg of you, Kitty," said Alice, "not to lock the door again." + +"And why not, pray? You locked it last night. It was on account of that +I am now in all this trouble." + +"Really, Kitty, you are quite too ridiculous; as if I were the cause of +your trouble. You are in trouble because you disobeyed a strict rule; +and my locking the door or not had nothing whatever to do with it. You +are quite the most tiresome, inconsistent girl I ever came across." + +"Well, it is nothing to you what I am," said Kitty. She sank down on a +chair by the side of her little bed as she spoke; her expression was so +woe-begone, her face so pale, the droop of her eyes so pathetic, that +Alice was slightly touched in spite of herself. + +"I am going to see Bessie Challoner," she said. "If you were different I +would not leave you." + +"Oh, never mind me, pray." + +"All the same, I would not leave you, Kitty; for remember I am the only +girl belonging to the school who may speak to you for the next week; +but, really, your ways are so unpleasant----" + +"And I so infinitely prefer your absence to your company," retorted +Kitty. "So you may go with quite an easy mind." + +"Thanks awfully," replied Alice, with a sneer. Her momentary good-nature +had dried up like the dew. She put on her hat, wrapped a shawl round her +shoulders and left the room. + +Kitty returned to her place by the window. It was now between eight and +nine o'clock. She had refused both dinner and tea, and was in +consequence feeling weak and faint. There was a giddy sensation in her +head to which she was not accustomed. She did not connect it with the +fact that she was starving, and wondered what was the matter with her. +She was too excited and wretched to feel her ordinary appetite. She had +gone through a great deal, and her nerves were reminding her of the +cruel trick she was playing on them. It was very dull in her room; the +gas jet shed a hideous glare over the place. The room in itself was by +no means pretty, for the paper was the worse for wear, and the paint was +nearly worn through to the woodwork. The hangings to the windows and to +the two little beds were of an ugly drab color; and the view out of +these windows only revealed a narrow street. At Kitty's own home she had +a bedroom in the Castle end; the paper hung in ribbons, the door was +draughty, the bedstead rickety and old; but what a view there was from +the windows! A view of Lake Coulin and the mountains in the distance, +and the park lying verdant and green between the lake and the house. +What a breeze blew in at those windows! + +"Oh, I should never be dull if I were locked up in the dear old bedroom +at home," thought the girl. "But here! here it is enough to madden one; +and yet I must stay here, for I cannot talk to the others. I will not +allow Fred to guess my secret. Oh, what a miserable, unhappy, wretched +girl I am! I am a prisoner. Oh, if only Laurie saw me! Dear Laurie; the +darling, the treasure that he is! It would break his heart if he knew +what I am suffering." + +There were no books at all interesting to Kitty in the room, so she +could not while away the lagging hours with a novel. As a rule the +arranging of her wardrobe, the trying on of her many dresses, gave her +pleasant occupation; but she was in no humor to make herself smart that +evening. + +"I suppose the love of dress is a sin," she said to herself; "although +it is one of the rules of the Tug-of-war Society that the girls are to +be fashionably dressed. Anyhow, it seems to have been my undoing, for if +I had only gone out in somber ugly attire last night I might have the +money now for my darling Laurie; and this heavy, heavy weight would be +off my mind, and I should not be in disgrace at Middleton School--not +that that much matters." + +She went to the window, flung it open, and looked out. It was a clear, +starlit night. She could see the sky from between the long rows of +houses. She looked up at it, and then put in her head again. + +"I shall suffocate if I stay any longer in this room," she said to +herself. "After all, why should I obey Miss Sherrard? She spoke about my +word of honor; but I have not given it. I was silent--I was silent on +purpose. If I could only see Elma and get my money back all would be +right, and I could really bear the rest of this terrible week. I have a +great mind to risk it and go to her." + +No sooner had the thought entered the head of the wayward girl than she +proceeded to act upon it. She put on a long cloak which reached nearly +to her feet, a little cap of blue cloth was secured over her mass of +curling hair, and then going cautiously across the room, she took the +key out of the lock, unfastened the door, shut it behind her, locked it +from the outside, put the key in her pocket, and ran downstairs. + +"If the servants or Alice come up they will think I have gone to bed. +What fun if I keep Alice out of her bed for an hour or two!" laughed +Kitty. She was now once more in high excitement and pleasure. It never +took long to raise her volatile spirits. "I hope Fred won't be about. I +don't want to get the poor darling into mischief," she said to herself. +There was no one in sight, however. The younger children were away in +another part of the house, Mr. and Mrs. Denvers were out, the servants +were in the kitchen, Alice was with Bessie Challoner, and Fred was down +in his shed mourning the absence of Kitty, whose bright ways were +fascinating him more and more. + +"It's all right," thought the girl. She left the house, and a few +moments later was walking at a rapid pace in the direction of +Constantine Road. The thought of her disobedience, of the daring of her +own act, but added zest and pleasure to her walk. + +"How happy I shall be when I get the money," she said to herself. "I'll +coax Fred or Mrs. Denvers to get me a postal order to-morrow, and I'll +send it to Laurie at once. Oh, what a weight will be off my mind! Why, +I'll almost feel inclined to turn good again!" + +The walk to Constantine Road was a long one, and Kitty on this occasion +was determined to avoid the neighborhood of the "Spotted Leopard." In +preference she took the short cut across the common. It was very lonely +here, but she had no fear of ghosts or bogies. She walked with her +upright, young carriage, her quick, alert, dancing step. It was ten +o'clock however, before she reached Constantine Road. She ran up the +steps of No. 14, and rang the bell. The door was opened to her by the +servant, Maggie. + +"Oh, Miss Malone," cried that young woman, "is that yourself, miss? I +has got into the most terrible trouble." + +Maggie's face was flushed and blistered with crying. + +"They has took away my wiolets, miss, and I call it a bitter, cruel +shame." + +"Never mind that now, Maggie," answered Kitty, "I want to see Miss Elma. +Is she in?" + +"That she is, miss, and she shan't escape you this time. Come right into +the parlor, and I'll send her down to you." + +Kitty danced into the house. As far as her appearance now went she had +never known a sorrow nor a care in her life. She stood in the center of +the room, waiting impatiently for Elma to appear. + +Maggie having shut her in, went cautiously upstairs. Elma and Carrie +were in their bedroom. Carrie was already in bed. + +Maggie, who seemed to scent mischief all round, thought she would now +act with considerable guile. She knocked a low and gentle knock on the +panel of the door. Elma came to open it. + +"What is it, Maggie?" + +"Miss Helma, will you come outside on the landing for a minute?" + +Elma went out. + +"I have a bit of news about that money, miss. If you'll come right down +to the dining-room I'll tell you there." + +"News about my money, Maggie? Oh, impossible!" But hope, ever ready to +dawn in the human breast, could not help rising now on poor Elma's +horizon. It all seemed utterly impossible; but what earthly sense would +there be in Maggie telling a lie. + +"I was just getting into bed," she said. "Can't you tell me here?" + +"No, miss, it's not me at all; it's news of the money you'll get if you +just come down to the dining-room, and be quick about it." + +"Well, _I_ may as well go. Is there anybody there?" + +"You go and find out, miss." + +"Oh!" thought Elma, "Sam Raynes has repented. He was able to find money +after all, and has brought it to me. This is nice." + +"What's the matter, Elma?" called Carrie from her bed. + +"Nothing, Carrie. I'll be back in a few moments." + +Elma hastily refastened her dress; put up her hands to her hair to +smooth it, and tripped downstairs, full of expectation and hope. Maggie +had relit the gas in the dining-room. Elma bounded into the room. + +"Well, Sam," she exclaimed. Then she stepped back a couple of paces; she +was confronted not by Sam, but by Kitty Malone herself. + +"Kitty!" cried Elma. There was a faintness in her voice, which Kitty had +no time to remark. + +"Yes, Elma, I have come. I have broken my word of honor; but after all, +I never really gave it. I dare say I shall get into a worse scrape than +ever; but I can't help it. I came to you, Elma, because I _must_ have +that money. Will you let me have it now at once please--my eight +sovereigns--will you give them to me now? If I had seen you last night I +should not have been so miserable. I was coming to you when Fred and I +passed the 'Spotted Leopard.' Oh, please, Elma, give me my money at +once!" + +Elma's face could scarcely turn whiter. She looked piteously at Kitty. + +"I wish I could give it to you," she began; "but----" + +"What do you mean; can't you let me have my own money? You have not +spent it, not all of it, have you?" + +"Yes, I--I spent it." + +"You spent all that money! all those eight sovereigns? Oh, Elma, you +must be joking. Can't you let me have some of it back? Please, Elma, +don't say no. It is for Laurie; he is in the most awful trouble. I must +have the money, and at once." + +"I can't give it to you," said Elma. "I am awfully sorry. Sit down, +please, Kitty. Oh, Kitty, you won't tell on me?" + +"I don't know what I'll do," said Kitty. "I am nearly distracted." + +"But you promised you would not tell. You don't know what an awful +scrape I shall get into if you do. And you--oh, yes--you shall have the +money soon." + +"What do you mean by soon; to-morrow? Shall I have it to-morrow?" + +"Not quite so soon as that. Give me a week, Kitty." + +"I can't," answered Kitty. "It is a case of life or death to Laurie. +Your mother must give it to me if you cannot; but have it I must." + +"But you are rich; surely you can manage without it for one week." + +"It is not that, and I am unable to explain. Laurie must have the money. +He wants me to help him about something, and I must send it to him +to-morrow." + +"I wish I could give it to you," said Elma. "I would do anything in all +the world to let you have it back; but it isn't my fault." + +"What did you spend it on? Dress?" + +"Oh, in different ways." Elma had made up her mind not to tell about +Carrie and Sam Raynes. + +"I'll let her think that I spent the money on finery," she said to +herself. "She is sympathizing about dress. I'll let her think that." + +Kitty's hands had dropped to her sides; a look of despair filled her +face. + +"What is to be done?" she said. "I never thought for a moment you could +not let me have it back." + +"You shall have it in a week; that I promise you faithfully." + +"But a week will be no good, Elma. Oh! Elma, Elma, Laurie will suffer +for this. They will take his freedom from him; he will be like a chained +lion; he will lose his spirit; perhaps--perhaps he will die. I cannot +stand it, Elma, I cannot." + +Kitty covered her face with both her hands, and the tears which with +difficulty she had been keeping back all the evening burst forth in +torrents. Kitty did not cry as an English girl might. She cried with the +wild, passionate sobs of those who have seldom exercised self-control. +Elma was dreadfully frightened. + +"Do stop, Kitty," she said. "You make so much noise; mother and Carrie +will hear you. Carrie will come down." + +"What if she does?" cried Kitty. "Oh, Laurie, Laurie! this will break +your heart. You are ruined; ruined for life!" + +"There are more than Laurie ruined for life, it seems to me," said Elma. +"Kitty, I am ever so sorry; but if you will only be patient I will try +and think of some plan of helping you. Now, please, please, promise me +one thing--you won't tell that I asked you for this money?" + +"Why not? I must tell some one. I must get the money somehow." + +"But you made me a promise you would not tell. It is very wrong to break +a promise." + +"I don't care whether it is right or wrong. I cannot keep this secret, +Elma. I must remember Laurie, Perhaps Mr. Denvers will lend me the +money. I must think of Laurie first." + +"Please, Kitty, listen to me. If you will promise to keep my secret I'll +manage to get you the money somehow." + +"But how, Elma?" + +"Oh, I'll think out some plan. Do promise me that you'll keep my secret. +It would be my ruin if it were known. Do promise, Kitty; do, please." + +"I cannot," said Kitty. She walked restlessly to the door. "I must go," +she said; "if I don't they will discover that I am out." + +"And if they do you'll get into an awful scrape." + +"Oh, it doesn't matter; I can't be worse off than I am. My one hope now +is that they will expel me; then I'll have to return to Ireland; and +perhaps I may coax father not to be too hard on Laurie." + +"Then Kitty, you have quite made up your mind to tell all about me?" + +"I think so. I cannot imagine why it matters." + +"But it does, and I must give you the reason. I did wrong, dreadfully +wrong, ever to ask you for that money. I broke one of the strictest +rules of the school." + +"What do you mean?" + +"It is one of the strictest rules of Middleton School that no schoolgirl +must ask another to lend her money. The governors are terribly +particular. If it is ever known I shall be most likely expelled. Anyhow, +my character will be gone, and I shall be ruined for life. Oh, Kitty, +you have not such a hard life as I have. Do have pity on me." + +Kitty stood silent; she was thinking deeply. + +"You'll promise; won't you?" repeated Elma. + +"I can't say. I scarcely know what I am doing at the present moment." + +"Then listen to me. If you tell about the money I'll tell about this +visit. There; don't you see now we are quits." + +"You tell! That would be mean of you." + +"Yes. I'll tell that you broke your parole." + +"But I never gave it." + +"Oh, that is only begging the question, Kitty. Miss Sherrard understood +that you had given it. When you came here you broke it. You'll get into +a terrible scrape." + +"And you spoke to me, Elma; so you too will get into a scrape." + +Kitty's tears stopped like summer rain, and a flash of sunshine flew +across her charming face. + +"Poor Elma, you will be in hot water too," she said. "What a muddle +everything is in." + +"You see, Kitty, we must cling together, for we are both in the same +boat. I'll do my utmost to get you that money. I am sure I can manage +somehow. But you must not tell." + +"All right. I'll keep the secret until after school to-morrow. Good-by, +Elma." + +She left the house, and Elma returned to Carrie. + +"Who were you talking to all that time?" exclaimed Carrie. + +"That unfortunate girl, Kitty Malone." + +"You mean to say she was here?" + +"Yes; she came about the money. I am miserable about it. I promised to +get it for her by hook or by crook. How can I manage?" + +"Look here," said Carrie after a pause, during which she was sitting up +in bed and thinking intently. "You say that Kitty Malone is very rich?" + +"Yes, of course she is. She has more money than she knows what to do +with. Why, I tell you, Carrie, the day she lent me those eight +sovereigns I saw fifteen in her purse. Fancy a girl having fifteen +sovereigns just to do what she liked with? I could scarcely realize it. +I took the money before I knew what I was doing. She did tempt me so +sorely when she showed me her purse." + +"Oh, I'm not a bit surprised," said Carrie. "If I had been in your shoes +I'd have taken the whole fifteen sovereigns just as soon as the eight. +But listen to me, Elma; I have a plan in my head. I'll talk it over with +Sam to-morrow; perhaps we can get the money; but there's no saying. +I'll talk it over with Sam." + +"I wish you would not. I would rather not get it through his means." + +"What a dislike you have to him." + +"I have. He is not good enough for you, Carrie. Oh, Carrie, dear, I vow +and declare that I'll work for you and mother; I'll work my very fingers +to the bone; I'll do anything for you. Only don't marry that horrid +fellow." + +"How excitable you are, Elma, and queer. Sam suits me very well. Oh, if +you don't want his help you need not have it--remember it is your +scrape, not mine." + +"It is your scrape, too, Carrie. You stole the money and gave it to Sam +Raynes. You are a thief, and you have ruined your sister." + +"If you begin abusing me I shall certainly not stay awake any longer," +said Carrie; "I'm dead with sleep as it is. Now, do put out the candle, +like a good girl. I'm off to the Land of Nod." + +Carrie pulled the clothes over her head and struggled down among the +pillows. Elma stood and stared out of the window. + +"I wonder if I could do it," she said at last to herself. "It might be +the best plan; and Gwin is very kind and very rich. I wonder if I dare. +Anything seems better than my present predicament." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +"I CANNOT HELP YOU." + + +Elma scarcely slept that night. At an early hour on the following +brilliant summer's morning she stole softly out of bed, glanced for a +moment at Carrie, as she lay sleeping the sleep of the just, with her +towzled hair tossed about the pillow, and then, getting deftly into her +own clothes, left the room without arousing the sleeper. She had made up +her mind very definitely what to do. Without even waiting to get any +breakfast, she unfastened the hall door, opened it, and stepped out into +the full radiance of the summer's morning. A quick walk brought her in a +little over half an hour to Harley Grove. When she went up the ponderous +flight of steps which led to the principal door of the mansion a clock +far away struck the hour of seven. + +"It is terribly early," she said to herself, "terribly early to disturb +her; but it is my only chance. I must have time; I cannot rush this +thing. If she can help me I believe she will; and anyhow, I do no harm +by what I intend to say to her." + +Elma rang the bell, but her early summons was not immediately attended +to. Presently a servant girl, who looked as if she might be one of the +under-housemaids, unbolted and unbarred the door, and opened it a few +inches. "When she saw a neat-looking girl, in all probability a +schoolgirl, standing outside she opened it a little further and her jaw +dropped in some astonishment. + +"I have come here," said Elma to know if I can see, Miss Harley +immediately on very special business." + +"I don't know, miss, I am sure," answered the girl, who was a stranger +in those parts. "I can't say that you can see Miss Harley now, for I +think she is fast asleep and in bed, miss." + +"It is of the utmost importance or I would not disturb her," said Elma. +"I have brought a note with me; can you manage in some way to have it +delivered to her? I can wait downstairs in any of the rooms until I get +her answer." + +As Elma spoke she slipped a little three-cornered note into the girl's +hand, at the same time placing in it one of her own most valuable and +very few and far between shillings. + +"Can you manage it for me?" she said. "It is really of the utmost +importance." + +A shilling was a small bribe; but the housemaid was young and +tender-hearted. She looked again once or twice at Elma, who could wear a +most pleasing expression when she chose, and then, ushering her into a +small room to the left of the wide entrance hall, departed slowly +upstairs on her errand. + +While she was away Elma fidgeted, walking from end to end of the little +room into which she had been admitted. All depended, or so she imagined, +on her note reaching its destination. She knew Gwin's kind heart; she +was certain that if Gwin received the note, however tired and sleepy +she was, she would at least see her for a few minutes. Elma had worded +it craftily. + +"I am in great trouble," she had written. "It is connected with Kitty +Malone. I see my way to helping Kitty if you, Gwin, can help me. But I +must see you now at once. Let me come to your bedroom. I would not +disturb you if it were not a matter of life or death." + +This note, sufficiently startling in its contents, was given by the +under-housemaid to Gwin's own special maid. The girl, after some +deliberation, said she would venture to give it to Gwin, early as the +hour was. Accordingly she stole into the shaded bedroom, drew up one of +the blinds, and when Gwin opened her sleepy eyes presented her with the +little three-cornered note on a salver. + +"There's a young lady, a Miss Lewis, waiting downstairs. She brought +this note and begged that it should be delivered to you at once, miss. I +ventured under the circumstances to wake you, as the young lady seemed +from all accounts to be in a desperate way." + +"What can it mean?" said Gwin. She sprang up in bed, tore open the note, +and read the contents. + +"Is my cold bath in the room, Simpson?" she asked of her maid. + +"Yes, miss; in your dressing-room." + +"Well, I shall dress at once. Go down, please, to Miss Lewis and tell +her that I'll be ready to see her in my study in twenty minutes." + +The maid departed on this errand, which brought much relief to poor +Elma. + +In less than the time named she was summoned by Gwin's maid to come +with her to Miss Harley's study. There a moment later she and Gwin were +clasping each other's hands. Gwin was in a long white dressing-gown; her +hair streaming over her shoulders. + +"Well, to be sure, Elma," she exclaimed, "you are an early bird. Now, +what do you want with me? I am full of curiosity. You are in trouble, +and it is something connected with Kitty Malone?" + +"Yes," said Elma. "I am desperate, and I have come on a desperate +errand, Gwin. Can you manage, somehow or other, in some fashion, to let +me have the use of eight pounds for--for say a fortnight?" + +Gwin Harley gasped; not only at the magnitude of the sum demanded, but +also at Elma's audacity in asking for it. + +"You want eight pounds," She exclaimed. "But, Elma, you know the rule?" + +"Oh, yes, I know the rule; and it is because I am fairly desperate I +apply to you. You might lend the money to my sister Carrie; or perhaps +mother would be best. It might be managed so that I didn't appear to +borrow it. I would not ask for it if--if the trouble were not terrible; +and--and the secret belongs to another." + +"What do you mean?" + +"It belongs partly to Kitty Malone." + +"I cannot help you," said Gwin decidedly. + +"Why? Oh Gwin, I did not know you could be so cruel." + +"You don't understand, Elma. I am surprised that you should ask me. How +could I break one of the strictest rules of the school?" + +"Oh, but you need not really break it; I mean it could be managed in +this way: Would not your father lend mother the money? You need not do +it at all; all you have to do is to ask him." + +"You must tell me everything, Elma. This is most mysterious. Why do you +want money? Is it for yourself? You must tell me every single thing." + +"I cannot tell you, because the secret is not mine." + +"You say Kitty is mixed up with this?" + +"Yes, yes." + +"And you will not tell why?" + +"I cannot. I wish I could." + +"Then, Elma, I also must be firm. I cannot help you." + +"You will not ask your father?" + +"How could I? It would be a subterfuge--the whole thing would be a +subterfuge. I must have nothing to do with it. I am sorry, Elma, for I +see you are in great trouble; but I am powerless." + +"Then I am ruined," said Elma. She covered her face with her hands, and +the tears trickled slowly between her fingers. + +"I wish I could help you," said Gwin kindly. "Is there any other way?" + +"No other way. I want eight pounds for a fortnight--I want it +desperately. You could manage to let me have it without breaking the +rules of the school, but you will not." + +"I am truly sorry, but--I will not." + +"Oh, Gwin, if you would only trust me. We were always friends, were we +not?" + +"Yes," answered Gwin slowly. "I have always liked you, Elma." + +"We were friends," continued Elma, wiping the tears passionately from +her cheeks; "and I did think last night, when I was in such trouble, +that perhaps you could come to my aid. I thought you would trust me +without my telling you everything." + +"I cannot, Elma," said Gwin again. + +"Why?" + +Elma now looked steadily into Gwin's face. Gwin looked gravely into +hers. After a time Gwin spoke slowly: + +"Because," she said--"forgive me, Elma--you are not trustworthy." + +"Oh!" said Elma. She turned first pale and then red. + +"There is no use in my staying," she said, after a pause. "I am sorry I +got you up so early." + +"Oh, that does not matter," said Gwin, in an altered tone. "I would do +what I could to help you; but I cannot do the impossible." + +"I see that I was mistaken in you." + +"Not at all," replied Gwin. "You found me what I have always been. I am +naturally careful. I never jump to wild conclusions; I am not impulsive. +I have liked you, and I shall go on liking you in the future." + +"Even though I am not trustworthy?" + +"Yes; I shall like you for what you are. You have always been nice to +me, and I wish to be nice to you. Please understand that this will make +no difference." + +"And you won't tell what I came about?" + +"No, I shall never mention it. Now, must you go?" + +"I must," said Elma. + +The full morning light fell upon her face as she spoke, and Gwin +noticed that it looked small, pinched, and thin. + +"You must have some breakfast first," she said. She walked across the +room and sounded the bell. The servant appeared in a moment. + +"Order breakfast to be served here this morning," said Miss Harley, "for +two, please." The maid withdrew. Gwin opened the window and looked out. + +"I am very sorry for Kitty," she said, after a pause. + +Elma did not reply. After a time she said slowly: + +"Did you see Miss Sherrard last night?" + +"I did; but it was useless. She won't retract her mandate." + +A sigh of relief came from Elma's lips. + +The servant again appeared with breakfast. Gwin poured out tea for her +friend. Elma drank a cup, her throat felt dry. She saw no way out of her +difficulty. She could scarcely bring herself to eat. + +A few moments later she was on her way back from Harley Grove. She +hesitated whether to go straight to the school and wait there until nine +o'clock or to return to Constantine Road. After a little reflection she +decided on the latter course. She reached home hot and weary between +eight and nine o'clock. Carrie was seated at the breakfast table; a +letter lay on Elma's plate. + +"Why, Elma, what have you been doing out and about at this unearthly +hour?" said Carrie, as she cracked the shell of an egg by no means +fresh. + +"Where is mother?" remarked Elma, as she seated herself at the table. + +"She has a bad headache. I have sent up her breakfast. Are you going to +see her?" + +"No, I think not. I shall just have time to eat something--not that I am +specially hungry--and then start for school." + +"There's a letter on your plate. Why don't you read it?" + +"I know; it's from Aunt Charlotte." + +"Well, well, and you are interested in Aunt Charlotte more than I am," +said Carrie. "Do read your letter." + +Elma somewhat languidly tore open the envelope. The next moment she +uttered an exclamation, and her face went first red and then pale. + +"Aunt Charlotte writes to say she is coming here to-day." + +"To-day! Good gracious!" said Carrie. "She doesn't want me to stay in, +does she?" + +"Oh, no; but this is terribly awkward." + +"Why so, Elma? Why shouldn't you ask her to lend you the money?" + +"Ask Aunt Charlotte! I may as well put my hand into the fire." + +"Well, suppose I were to help you," said Carrie, after a time. + +"You, Carrie; how could you?" + +"But suppose I were to--I am not the sort of person who does anything +for nothing. What would you give me if I got you out of this?" + +"But how could you get me out of it?" + +"Why, I suppose by giving Kitty the money." + +"Carrie, you talk nonsense. Unless, indeed, you were to persuade Sam +Raynes----" + +"Oh, it's useless to worry poor Sam. He has speculated with that money, +and if he doubles it we shall have it back. I think when that time comes +the very least you ought to do, Elma is to give me half of the balance +over and above what you borrowed. That would be three pounds ten, for me +quite a nice little sum. It would keep me in ribbons, gloves, and boots +for a bit. I get such a very small salary." + +"Well, the money has not been doubled; it's time enough to talk of our +chickens when they are hatched," said Elma. She rose from her seat, +looking despairingly at the open letter which she held in her hand. + +"After all, I may as well take this up to mother," she said. + +"One moment before you go, Elma. Would you like me to help you, or would +you not?" + +"If you could help me, Carrie, of course I should be obliged." + +"And what is the punishment they have inflicted upon that Irish lass?" + +"Oh, dear me, Carrie, I told you all about that yesterday; she is in +Coventry--we are none of us allowed to speak to her." + +"All the same, you did speak to her last night, don't forget." + +"Yes, I could not help myself; but if it was found out it would go hard +with us both." + +"Then I am the one to interfere," said Carrie _sotto voce._ "I'll do my +best, Elma, and trust to you to make it up to me when I have got you out +of this scrape." + +"I wish you would do something, Carrie; but I don't suppose you can. +It's awful to think of Aunt Charlotte coming now. If I can't help Kitty, +Kitty is sure to tell, and then it will be all over the school. They +won't blame her so much as they'll blame me. Oh dear, dear! if you would +do something!" + +"Well, I promise that I just will," said Carrie. "Now go off to school +with an easy mind." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +KITTY TELLS THE TRUTH. + + +Early the next morning Kitty received her telegram. It certainly was not +at all calculated to soothe her. She was restless and miserable before; +now her hands shook so violently that she could scarcely eat her +breakfast. + +Alice acted somewhat the part of a jailer; she had to convey the +disgraced girl to Middleton School. + +"I am ill; I won't go," said Kitty, bursting into tears. + +"You had much better come, Kitty," said Alice, speaking almost kindly +for the first time in her life; she really pitied poor Kitty at that +moment. "If you will only take your punishment patiently it will soon be +over, and I know for a fact," she continued, "that many of the girls are +only too anxious to make it up to you by and by." + +"Oh, it's not that," said Kitty; "it is because I am so wretched. I have +a great trouble at home; but there, there's no use in talking to you +about it, Alice." + +"So you always say," answered Alice. "Whenever I want to be the least +bit good to you, you put me off; but never mind, I am sure I can do +without your friendship. Anyhow, I think you must come to school unless +you are so ill that mother will be obliged to send for the doctor." + +"Oh, I don't want that," said Kitty, "I never had a doctor in my life. +If you'll wait for me, Alice, I'll go upstairs and put on my hat." + +She rushed to her room, flung herself on her knees for a moment by her +bedside, and uttered a frantic prayer to Heaven. + +"Oh! God, in your mercy, keep Laurie from doing anything desperate," +cried the unhappy girl. She then joined Alice downstairs. Her face was +white; there were heavy black lines under her eyes; she had never looked +prettier, more pathetic, more likely to win sympathy from the other +girls. + +At prayers that morning all eyes were directed to Kitty Malone. She was +not allowed to sit with the others, but was given, a place on the bench +with the teachers. Here she faced the rest of the school. It would have +been a cruel position for another girl; but it did not matter to Kitty, +for she saw no one present. Her eyes, with that queer inward look in +them, were gazing straight, not at the scene before her, but at the old +home in Ireland. The squire, whom she so passionately loved, roused to +the last extremity of anger; the boy, whose heart was hers, crushed, +trapped, imprisoned, his liberty taken from him. Kitty trembled from +head to foot; she could scarcely restrain her terrible emotion. + +After school she accompanied the others to the classroom, but in +absolute silence. She was given her usual lessons to do, but at a table +by herself. Her punishment was to be carried out in all its fullness; +but, dreadful as it would seem to most, it did not touch her at all +to-day. Her head ached, her eyes felt dim. Laurie's telegram, which lay +in her pocket, seemed to scorch into the very depths of her heart. She +had not even been allowed to answer it; the whole weight of her trouble +lay unrelieved upon her. The poor child was unaccustomed to such +anguish, and her self-control was in danger moment by moment of giving +way. + +As she strove to get that dull piece of English history into her head, +as she endeavored to follow the rules of syntax, as the knowledge that +she never, never to the longest day of her life, would understand what +was meant by the possessive case, alongside with these feeble little +efforts to follow her lessons, ran the dark thought of how, by what +possible means, she could help Laurie. And more and more as the time +went on she felt that she could not keep her promise to Elma. Elma had +been cruel to her; she had borrowed her money when she knew she had not +the most remote chance of paying it back; she had spent it according to +her own saying in the most frivolous way. Now, for the first time, Kitty +learned to despise dress. How could Elma spend the money which was to +save Laurie in anything so contemptible as ribbons and finery? Kitty +looked down at her own neatly-appointed clothes; her perfect little +shoes peeped out from beneath the frill of her dress. Notwithstanding +her misery she was as neat as usual in her attire; but now she had no +heart to appreciate gay clothes, good looks, pretty ribbons--any of the +things which usually delighted her. Laurie seemed to cry to her; she +fancied she could hear his voice coming across the waters to her +ears--Laurie, who had always trusted to her, who, strong as he was, was +not quite so strong as Kitty when scrapes and troubles were about. Oh! +if only she could go to him! If only she might relieve her feelings and +tell the exact truth to Miss Sherrard! What kept her back? Nothing +whatever but the thought of Elma. She had given Elma a promise, and, +tempted as she was, she must not break it. + +As this thought came to her she remembered that she had only promised +Elma to keep the secret until after morning school. That time would soon +be up. + +"Once Miss Sherrard knows I am certain she will help me," thought Kitty, +"though I don't want to excuse myself; yet I know that a great deal of +the blame of my proceedings will be lifted from my shoulders to Elma's. +Why should I go through all the suffering, and Elma sit there looking so +calm, and quiet, and still?" + +As these thoughts rushed through Kitty's mind she glanced up for the +first time, and calmly surveyed the great room full of her +fellow-students. As if with one impulse all the girls raised their eyes +and looked back at her. There was pity on most of the faces, amusement +on a few, curiosity on a few others; but on Elma's face alone was an +expression of intense anxiety and misery. Kitty had the kindest heart in +the world. The moment she saw this expression the idea of betraying Elma +melted from her mind. + +"She does look wretched," she said to herself. "I must not speak to her; +I dare not, and yet--yet--I should like her to know that I am not going +to be hard on her." + +Kitty tore off a piece of her exercise book and managed, when she +thought no one would see, to write a little note to Elma. In this she +said, "Don't be afraid, Elma; I have made up my mind not to tell." + +This note she twisted up, and, as the girls were going to the playground +for recess, managed to flash an intelligent glance toward Elma. Elma +approached close to her table, Kitty stretched out her hand, and Elma's +fingers were just about to close over the note, when, by an unlucky +chance, there came a breeze through the window, and the note, for some +inconceivable reason, fluttered from Kitty's hand to the floor. In an +instant Miss Worrick had seen it. She was just stepping forward when +Elma like a flash caught it up and tore it into fragments. She would not +for the world have the note seen. Miss Worrick, filled with anger, came +up to Kitty. + +"You are a bad girl, the worst girl I know," she said. "You are not even +honorable. Did you not give your parole that you would not hold +communication with another girl in the school, and yet you have been +trying to communicate with Elma Lewis by means of writing?" + +"Writing is not speaking," said Kitty, now standing up very erect and +proud, and replying to Miss Worrick as pertly as she could. + +"Don't answer me, miss; you grow worse and worse. Elma Lewis, do you +know anything about that note?" + +Kitty looked full at Elma. If she was going to be true to Elma, would +Elma be equally true to her?" + +"I know nothing about it," said Elma promptly. + +Kitty's eyes filled with withering scorn; an expression of disdain +curled her pretty lips. + +"You are quite certain, Elma? Kitty Malone seems to have a great anxiety +to communicate with you. Can you throw any light on the scrape she has +got into?" + +"I know nothing whatever about her secrets; I--I have nothing to do with +them," said Elma in an agitated voice, which she endeavored in vain to +render calm. + +Gwin Harley, who had stopped on her way out of the classroom, paused to +listen to Elma's words. + +Kitty's face was now white as death. She did not glance at Elma; she was +looking the other way. + +"Leave us, girls," said Miss Worrick. + +The next moment the great classroom was empty, with the exception of +Miss Worrick and Kitty Malone. Kitty was standing upright as a dart. + +"Take me to Miss Sherrard; I want to speak to her," she said. + +"I am certainly going to take you to her. You are a very, very wicked +girl. I doubt not you will be expelled." + +"Oh, I hope I shall," said Kitty. "I should like nothing in all the +world better." + +"You would? You are quite incorrigible. Do you know, you wretched girl, +what it means?" + +"No," answered Kitty; "I wait for you to tell me. What does it mean, +Miss Worrick?" + +"That you are tainted for life, disgraced for life. Wherever you go it +will be always remembered to you that your conduct was so bad at school +that you were obliged to be expelled." + +"But that won't matter in old Ireland," said Kitty with a hollow, +forced laugh. + +"Yes, it will; it will break your father's heart. There are no people so +proud as the Irish. They can stand a good deal; but any cloud on their +honor----" + +"Ah, you are right," cried Kitty, standing still, and a queer change +coming over her face. "Our honor--no one ever touched that yet." + +"It will have a nice blow when you are dismissed from Middleton School," +said Miss Worrick, glad to find a point in Kitty's hitherto invulnerable +armor. "Come with me at once, you bad girl. I must explain your conduct +to Miss Sherrard." + +"I have something on my own account to say to Miss Sherrard," answered +Kitty in a proud voice; "something which will explain a good deal." + +"I am glad to hear it; but I scarcely think any words of yours can +remove the stigma on your character. But come; I have no time to argue +with you further." + +Miss Worrick now led the way into Miss Sherrard's little sitting-room. +Miss Sherrard was standing near the window; she turned quickly when she +saw Miss Worrick, and a displeased and withal a troubled glance filled +her eyes as they rested upon Kitty." + +"Anything fresh?" she said, turning to the teacher with a weary +expression in her voice. + +"Only just what I expected," said Miss Worrick with bitterness. "Kitty +Malone is not to be trusted. Yesterday she gave her word of honor----" + +"I didn't," interrupted Kitty. + +"Kitty my dear, allow your teacher to speak." + +"She gave her word of honor, or equivalent to it, that she would submit +to the punishment which you rightly inflicted upon her. Well, I found +her just now in the act of smuggling a note into Elma Lewis' hand." + +"Oh, but this is very bad, Kitty," said Miss Sherrard. "Did you not know +what your word of honor meant?" + +"I never promised anything," replied Kitty. "You spoke; but I was +silent." + +"Pardon me, my dear; that is begging the question. You were told that +you were not to communicate with any of your fellow-pupils. Your silence +signified consent. Kitty, I am ashamed of you." + +"As you know so much you may as well know all," said Kitty, desperation +in her tone. "I did far worse than you think. Last night I went out +again after dark by myself to see Elma Lewis. I had an interview with +her. I talked to her, and she talked to me. That was not exactly her +fault; for I forced her to speak. Now, you know how very bad I am. Expel +me if you wish. I know you will after this. I am in dreadful disgrace. I +only wish I were dead." + +"Leave us, Miss Worrick," said Miss Sherrard. + +The door was closed behind the governess; and the head-mistress, taking +one of Kitty's cold hands, led her to a seat near herself on the sofa. + +"There is more behind," she said. "Kitty, you must tell me the truth." + +"I long to tell you," answered Kitty. "A short time back I had made up +my mind to conceal it because the telling would make another girl +miserable--miserable for life. Now my feelings are changed." + +"I am glad that you are at last willing to confide in me," said Miss +Sherrard in a kinder tone. "Tell me everything, Kitty, and as quickly as +you can." + +Thus counseled, Kitty's reserve absolutely gave way. The whole miserable +story was quickly revealed: Elma Lewis' request for money; Kitty's +generous response; Laurie's passionate and anguished letter; Kitty's +desire to help him; her reasons, which had almost driven her mad, for +seeking Elma; her desperate resolve at last to go to her late at night; +then Elma's passionate beseeching of her to keep the secret; Kitty's +promise that she would do so until after morning school that day; then +her further resolve, when she saw the look of misery on Elma's face, to +keep it altogether even at the cost of breaking Laurie's heart; then +Elma's conduct when the note was discovered. + +"I scorn her now," said Kitty. "I don't regard any promise I ever made +to her. I am glad to tell. She is false, cowardly, and I scorn her. Miss +Sherrard, you know everything; expel me if you must." + +"Yes, I know everything," replied Miss Sherrard. She sat still for a few +moments, lost in anxious thought. She blamed Kitty still, but she also +deeply pitied her. Her feelings toward Elma were so strong that she +could scarcely trust herself to speak of them at the present moment. + +"My honor is gone, and my heart is broken," continued Kitty. "Of course +you will expel me after this; and, indeed, I want to go home. Please, +Miss Sherrard, let me go home; I cannot stay any longer at school." + +"My dear Kitty," said Miss Sherrard, "I am very sorry for you. I am +certainly glad at last to know the truth. You, poor child, have been +more sinned against than sinning. I cannot tell you what I think about +Elma. Such a girl does more mischief in a school than twenty like you. +Stay, my dear; stop crying. Kitty, Kitty, what is it?" + +"I feel nearly mad--Laurie is in such trouble. May I not at least answer +his telegram?" + +"Yes, here is a telegraph form. Fill in what you like; I will send it at +once to the post office." + +"Miss Sherrard, would it be possible for you to lend me the money?" + +Miss Sherrard shook her head. + +"I could not do it, Kitty; nor would it be right. Your brother has done +distinctly wrong; and if you telegraph to him now I hope you will +counsel him to go straight to your father and confess everything. There +is never the least use in concealment where wrong-doing is concerned, my +dear." + +But Kitty's eyes had now blazed again with renewed passion. + +"You are not a Malone nor an Irishwoman," she cried. "You do not know +Ireland, or you would not speak in that tone. I counsel Laurie to tell +father what he did to poor Paddy Wheel-about! I counsel him to say that +he took the old man's coat--stole it from him! Miss Sherrard, you don't +know father. Laurie did it, it is true, in a fit of bravado; but father +would never understand. He would be furious, wild; Le would punish him +severely. Oh, I must get that money somehow, in some fashion!" + +"Kitty, you are speaking disrespectfully," said Miss Sherrard, "and I +cannot allow it. I am sorry for you, my dear; you are dreadfully +overcome at present. Go home now; I will see you again in the +afternoon." + +Poor Kitty left the room without even bidding her teacher good-by. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +AN EYE-OPENER. + + +In her own room the miserable child fell on her knees, and gave way to a +burst of passionate weeping. She cried as she had never cried in the +whole course of her life before; her tears seemed as though they could +not cease. She was so exhausted at last that, kneeling by her little +bed, she fell into a sound sleep. In her sleep she dreamed that she was +home again; but all was confusion, worry, distress. Laurie was going to +a school in England; Laurie's heart was broken. Old Paddy Wheel-about +was dead; the squire was so upset and so angry that he would not even +allow Kitty herself to comfort him. Aunt Honora was grumbling and going +from room to room in the old Castle. Aunt Bridget was talking about +dress, and scolding Kitty with regard to the state of her wardrobe. +Kitty's head ached, and she felt a sense of irritation. + +"And it's so pretty," said Aunt Honora. "Those ruffles round the skirt +are done in such a dainty manner, and--oh, I won't disturb you if you'll +allow me just to take the pattern. I can in a moment--don't move, don't +move!" + +Kitty opened her eyes in some bewilderment, and gazed full into the fat +and somewhat red face of Carrie Lewis. It was Carrie's voice she had +heard, piercing through her dreams. It was Carrie who was bending by +her side and holding up a length of her skirt in her hand. + +"Oh, don't move, pray; I have just got the set of it; it's very curious +and very fashionable. I know Sam would like it awfully." + +"Who are you, and what do you want?" said Kitty, jumping to her feet and +confronting her unwelcome visitor with flushed cheeks and sparkling +eyes. + +"I knocked at your door several times, and you didn't answer," said +Carrie; "so then I opened it softly and came in, and you were +half-sitting, half-kneeling by your bed, sound asleep; and your skirt +did look so very fashionable that I was tempted!--oh yes, I have taken +the pattern in my mind's eye. I'll alter my blue nun's-veiling. I can +easily get a bit more of the stuff to match, and it will make it quite +_comme il fait_," + +"But who are you?" said Kitty, who had never laid eyes on Carrie before. + +"I'm Elma's sister. Now you know." + +"Elma's sister?" said Kitty. "But what have you come to my room for? +What do you want here?" + +"To speak to you. I want to help you if you'll let me." + +"To help me?" said Kitty languidly. "I would much rather you went away. +You cannot help me; you know nothing whatever about me. I am in great +great trouble, and I would much rather be alone." + +"You would not rather be alone if you could be helped," said Carrie. "I +know all about it. You have got a brother in Ireland who has got into a +scrape. Bless you, I know all about the scrapes of young men. Now, poor +Sam Raynes, he----. Yes, what is it, Miss Malone?" + +"I wish you would leave me," said Kitty in a haughty tone. "I am not +friends with Elma just now, and I would rather not see any of her +family." + +"Yes, but I think you'll see me when I tell you my errand," said Carrie, +in no way abashed by Kitty's manner. She crossed the room as she spoke, +and deliberately placing herself in the one easy-chair the room +possessed, crossed her legs, and leaning back, looked fixedly at Kitty. + +"Very well, if you won't go, then I must," said Kitty. "I don't +understand English people. They talk a great deal about manners; but no +Irishwoman, none that I ever heard of, would dream----" + +"Oh, bosh! Stop all that," said Carrie in her rudest voice. "I have come +here to help you, and I see that I must explain myself. You want some +money, don't you?" + +"Yes; but I cannot get it," answered Kitty. + +"Oh, my dear, do just stay still a moment. What a sweet little shoe! +Did you get it at any shop here?" + +"No," answered Kitty, interested for the moment in spite of herself. +"Aunt Honora bought these in Grafton Street, Dublin. They have the +nicest shoes in that special shop of any place I know. Do you like it?" + +"Oh, it is quite sweet; it is the way the heel is arranged, and that +little buckle." + +"Well, never mind about my shoes now," said Kitty, pushing the +attractive little foot well in under her skirt. "What is it you have +come to say? Please say it, and then--go." + +"I will, if you wish me to. Look here, I know all about your story. You +are in dreadful trouble, and so is Elma; but I do declare I think poor +Elma's trouble much worse than yours." + +"You know nothing about it," cried Kitty, with passion. "Elma in worse +trouble! Oh, if you only could guess!" + +"I guess well enough," said Carrie, "and so does Elma. You want money, +which, evidently, as a rule, is as plentiful to you as blackberries on +the hedges in September; and you think, because you cannot lay your hand +on that money immediately, the whole world is going to change. But let +me tell you that Elma and I want money far, far more badly than you have +any idea of. Until you gave Elma that eight pounds, we neither of us +ever in our lives had so much in our possession." + +"I didn't give it--you make a mistake--I lent it." + +"Oh, it is all the same. Elma had it, and, for practical purposes, it +was just as valuable as if it were really her own." + +"Well, I want her to give it back to me now. I surely have a right to +ask for my own money back again?" + +"No, you have not--not without reasonable notice. She asked you to lend +her some money--she never asked for eight pounds--you let her take it. +You said she might have as much as she liked. When she explained the +position of things to me, I said: 'Elma, you were a rare fool not to +take the whole fifteen.'" + +"You must be a very queer girl," said Kitty, astonished at this +remarkable specimen of young ladyhood. + +"Am I? I don't know. I am frank, and I am generally hard-up. I know, if +any one does, where the shoe pinches. Bless you! it would do you good to +open your eyes. You don't know what poverty means--a little house, a +disgusting little house, shabby paper, dirty ceilings, badly-carpeted +floors, the drains wrong, the water-supply as likely to poison us as +not, an invalid mother--" + +"Oh, have you a mother? Then, I am sure you are not to be pitied," +interrupted Kitty. + +"Little you know! What good is a mother who is in bed most of the day, a +father who--Well, I need not mention him; he is not in the country at +any rate. No education to speak of; no dress worth considering; toil, +toil from morning till night; and life a mere scramble, a scramble for +bread without butter. That's what our life is!" + +Kitty had ceased to fidget; she even sank down on the corner of the +nearest chair. Her pretty figure, her beautifully-appointed dress, her +whole appearance, from the crown of her head to the sole of her foot, +betokened what the other girl could never aspire to, never hope to +have--abundance of money. And yet at the present moment Kitty was +breaking her heart for want of money. No wonder Carrie was puzzled. +Kitty's own eyes were opened to an extent they had never been opened +before. + +"Yes, our life is a rough one," continued Carrie; "very rough indeed; +but I don't grumble. I was brought up to it, and use is half the +battle, as perhaps you don't know, but you ought. You'll get accustomed +to doing without your eight pounds after a bit, and never give it +another thought." + +"Oh, no, that I won't," said Kitty, now jumping to her feet in her +indignation; "and it is not for myself, it is for----" + +"Oh, never mind who it is for. You want it, and you think the world is +going to stand still because you cannot get it. Well, the world won't +stand still. I, who am quite used to doing without money, can assure you +as to the truth of that fact. Would you like to know, now, how I spend +my days? I teach some horrid children in a small private school from ten +to one each morning, and then in the afternoon I go to a family and +teach some more little brats; and I am scarcely paid anything for all +this toil--starvation wages I call it--and I hate it, hate it. But I +have my consolations. I am not overparticular; very small pleasures +content me; and there's a fellow whom I love." + +"A fellow whom you love?" echoed Kitty; "is it a brother?" + +"Bless you, I'm not likely to put myself out about a brother; not that I +have one, and so much the better, thank goodness. There's a man whom I +love, and a right jolly fellow he is--his name is Sam Raynes. He is not +one of your fine, bread-and-butter gentlemen--not he. He is rough and +ready, and he has his joke, and he isn't too handsome, although some +people admire red hair; but, anyhow, I'm fond of him and he's fond of +me, and some day--I don't know when--when we can scrape enough +together, we are going to set up housekeeping." + +"You are going to marry; is that it?" said Kitty. + +"Yes; some day we'll marry. Now, you see, that's a bit of fun for me; +and I can go out with Sam on bank holidays and on Sunday afternoons just +like any other girl with her young man. Bless you, I don't mind." + +"I wonder what all this is leading up to," said Kitty, with a slight +yawn. "Of course, it is very interesting to you; but I don't care about +your young man." + +"No more you do, you haughty little minx; and I wouldn't bother you +about him, for, with all his faults, he's too good to have words wasted +about him to a little independent chit of a thing like you. But, as I +was saying, I'm not talking for nothing, I'm leading up to something. +Now, I am content enough with our lot; but Elma isn't. Elma is quite +different from me--she has got a great deal of refinement about her." + +"Has she indeed?" said Kitty in a voice of scorn. + +"Yes, she has, and you needn't contradict me. She's a very clever girl, +is Elma. I don't say that she's always as straight as a die--I don't +pretend that she is; but she is a clever girl, and she is fond of her +books, and she's likely to get on--that is, if you don't spike her +guns." + +"What do you mean?" + +"Oh, well, it's only an expression of mine. I heard Sam use it last +week. I often copy his phrases, they're so fine and full of flourish. +Well, now, if you don't spoil sport, Elma will get into an altogether +different circle from your humble servant. Mother and I will go one way, +and Elma another. Elma, with her grand notions and her set-you-up sort +of airs, will rise in life. She's heartily welcome to go her own way, +and I wish her Godspeed, for she is the only sister I have got." + +"I don't understand," interrupted Kitty. + +"If you'll let me speak I'll soon explain. You don't suppose that girls +such as I am are often to be seen at Middleton School?" + +"Well, I have not seen any like you," said Kitty, gazing from head to +foot at her very peculiar visitor. + +"No more you have, bless you; and I'm not the least offended by your +very frank stare. Sam admires me, and that's enough for me. Now, Elma +looks a lady, doesn't she?" + +"I suppose so," said Kitty in a dubious tone. + +"You suppose so indeed! Let me tell you that Elma is a born little lady, +a real lady, and she looks it, every inch of her. That is why she goes +to Middleton School; but now, who do you think pay for her?" + +"How can I tell?" + +"Do you think mother, or father, or I? Now, who do you think does? I +should be interested to know your thoughts." + +"I cannot really tell you, Miss Lewis." + +"Oh, it does sound fine to hear you Miss Lewising me. My name is +Carrie." + +"I prefer to call you Miss Lewis." + +"Highty! tighty! we are haughty. Well, the person who pays for Elma is +our Aunt Charlotte--a certain Mrs. Steward, wife of the Reverend John +Steward, rector of St. Bartholomew's, Buckinghamshire. There's a grand +enough name for you; and I suppose, being a clergyman, you'll consider +that he is a gentleman and that his wife is a lady. Aunt Charlotte +happens to be own sister to mother; and when Elma made her little +complaint to her she took pity on her; and now she pays all her expenses +at Middleton School. And if Elma does well and nothing disagreeable +comes to Aunt Charlotte's ears, she will send her presently to Newnham +or Girton. Think of that I Elma will be a college girl; she will be an +undergraduate of one of the universities--and some day a graduate; and +then she will get a first-class post as high-school mistress, or +mistress of something or other. But if you tell on her and make things +bad, and the truth gets out--You look pale; are you ill?" + +"I am all right," said Kitty. She staggered across the room and poured +some water into a glass. + +"I did not eat much lunch," she continued; "and I am--Never mind; go +on." + +"Well," continued Carrie, "if nothing comes to Aunt Charlotte's ears to +turn her mind the other way, Elma will be all right; she will move in +your sphere--yes, she will, whether you like it or not. She is just so +clever she is able to do anything. So I have come to say that I hope to +goodness you won't split on her, for it would be mighty cruel of you. +You would ruin her for life, and that would be a nice consolation for +you when you came to die. She did not steal your money, remember; you +gave it to her." + +"I lent it to her." + +"Oh, how you will harp upon that! But you didn't tell her to a day when +she was to pay it back again." + +"No, I certainly did not; but, of course, I expected that she would +return it to me when I asked for it; and then she spent it on dress." + +"Spent it on dress? What do you mean?" + +"She told me so." + +"Oh, naughty, naughty little Elma!" said Carrie, shaking her forefinger +in a very knowing manner "She didn't like to tell about Sam, and so she +made up that story, did she? Well, it was an untruth. She didn't spend +that money on dress; she--well, I will tell you--I stole it from her." + +"You!" gasped Kitty, backing away in horror. + +"Yes. Good gracious! how scared you are! You don't understand the larks +of girls like me. I didn't mean any harm. I took it and gave it to Sam +to keep for her." + +"Then," said Kitty, coming close up to Carrie, her lips parted, the +color flooding her cheeks, her eyes full of light, "then, of course, +you, Carrie----" + +"Oh, I'm Carrie now, am I?" + +"Yes, you are; but never mind. Then, you, Carrie, can get it back for +me?" + +"So I will, all in good time, my pretty little dear. You shall have the +money if you are willing to wait, say a month." + +"There's no use at all in that," said Kitty, her voice sounding faint +and far away. + +"I am afraid there must be, as far as that eight pounds is concerned. +The fact is, Sam is speculating with the money, and when we get it back +it will be doubled. Elma and I will divide the profits between us, and +you shall have your eight pounds back. Now, I think I have told you +everything except--" + +"And, having told me, I wish you would go away," said Kitty. "I don't +know that you have bettered matters in any way. Of course I am sorry for +Elma; but it is only right that you should know something. It would be +well also for Elma to know the truth. I told her yesterday when I went +to your house that I would keep her secret until after morning school." + +"Good gracious! You have not blurted out the truth?" + +"Wait till you hear. When I was at school this morning I was--oh so +miserable! I could not help thinking of--But never mind; you would not +understand." + +"No, no, of course not; pray proceed." + +"I was thinking how soon I might tell." + +"Nice sort of creature you are!" + +"Why will you interrupt me?" said Kitty. "But then I looked at Elma, and +I saw that she seemed very anxious and miserable; and wretched as I was, +I made up my mind to be kind to her. I said to myself I will keep her +secret; and--and I wrote her a note to tell her so. You would not +understand if I said any more; but--but immediately after morning school +she--she was false to me; utterly false. You ask her when you see her +how she received that letter I wrote to her at the risk of getting into +terrible trouble myself. I have been angry, furious, beside myself; and +now Miss Sherrard knows everything." + +"You don't mean it?" said Carrie. Her florid face had turned perfectly +white. She bit her lip and looked out of the window. After a time she +looked back again at Kitty, and said slowly: + +"You are very cruel, and you have ruined Elma; but after all it is +partly my fault. I ought not to have taken that money. Now, look here, +shall I tell you what I really came for to-day?" + +"If you would do so quickly and then go." + +"You won't be in such a hurry to part from me when you know the truth. +Now, then, listen. You want some money; I think I see a way to getting +it for you." + +"Do you really?" + +"Yes, I do; that is, if you on your part will do what I want." + +"I will do anything to get the money. I want to send it to Laurie if I +can this evening. There's nothing I would not give you." + +"I will remember that small promise presently," said Carrie in a frank +voice. "But now let me tell you what my plan is. You have a great many +clothes, have you not?" + +"Yes; but please don't bother me about them now. I was always fond of +pretty dress; but I should not care if I had to wear rags at the present +moment if only I might get that eight pounds." + +"If them's your sentiments," said Carrie, "you very soon can have your +wish." + +"What in the world do you mean?" + +"Why, this. If you'll just allow me to take the pick of your wardrobe I +can take away the things and sell them. I'll soon bring back the eight +pounds--yes, and for that matter ten too." + +"Sell my clothes?" said Kitty. She stared at the other girl as if she +did not believe the evidence of her own senses. + +"Yes. Did you never hear of a pawnshop, you dear little wiseacre?" + +"A pawnshop! Do you think I would allow my clothes to go to a pawnshop?" + +"I know nothing whatever about it; but I make you the proposal. I will +transact the business for you if you'll allow me ten per cent, upon it. +I can get you the money." + +"Oh, Carrie, it seems such a bitter shame," said Kitty. Her face was +crimson; she went to the other side of the room, opened the window and +put out her head. She wanted the cool air to soothe her scorched cheeks; +her heart was thumping in her breast. Had matters indeed come to this, +that she, Kitty Malone, was to pawn her pretty dresses, her trinkets, +her whatnots! Alas! she could not do it. + +"I have often had to do it," said Carrie. "I know just how to manage. If +you'll allow me to select the most suitable of your things, I'll bring +you back the money in no time." + +"You are sure?" said Kitty, beginning to yield. + +"Certain--sure--positive. But you must allow me ten per cent." + +"I know nothing about percentage; but you may take every scrap that is +over after you have got me the eight pounds." + +"Very well, that's a liberal offer," said Carrie. "Now, then, I may as +well take a look at your clothes." + +"Oh, it seems such an awful thing to do," said Kitty. "Are you sure, +quite sure, that no one will find it out?" + +"Not a bit of it; that is, if you'll be quick and not allow that other +girl--Alice, you call her--to come into the room." + +"I'll lock the door," said Kitty. She rushed across the room with new +hope, turned the key, and came back again to Carrie. + +"I never heard of anything quite so extraordinary in my life," she said. +"And you--you call yourself a lady?" + +"No, I don't; I call myself a good-natured lump of a girl." + +"Well, perhaps you are; but to pawn one's things! Do you mean that I +will never see them again?" + +"Oh, yes; whenever you like to return the money. They'll be kept safe +enough for you. If you don't return the money, of course, they belong to +the pawnbroker; but you have lots of time to think of that. Look here, +I'll pawn them for a month; that will give you heaps of time to look +round." + +"So it will," said Kitty. "And are you quite, quite certain that I shall +have the money to-night?" + +"Oh, yes, if you won't talk so much, only act. Now, then, open your +wardrobe." + +Kitty unlocked the door of the mahogany wardrobe which she shared with +Alice, and Carrie began to pull her choice little garments about. + +Kitty went and stood by the window. + +"Don't you want to know what I am taking?" said Carrie. "Don't you want +to make a selection?" + +"No; I'll leave it all to you. I can't bear to see them. Take--take what +you want." + +"Goodness, what a girl!" thought Carrie to herself. "Here's an +opportunity for me." + +She made a hasty and very wise selection, choosing the richest dresses, +the most stylish jackets, skirts, shoes, ribbons, gloves--clipping the +feathers out of the hats and the flowers from the toques--throwing in +some of the finest cambric handkerchiefs; and then, taking a sheet of +brown paper which she had put into a basket on her arm when she left +home, she folded the things into it and fastened her parcel with stout +string. + +"Here I am," she said; "and this is my parcel. I have looked through +your wardrobe; your clothes are neat, fine, some of them gaudy, but all +good. I can get from three to four pounds for this lot." + +"But why don't you take enough to get the eight pounds?" said Kitty, who +had quite made up her mind by this time. + +"I could not carry any more. Now, then, open your jewel-case, quick." + +"My jewel-case. Oh! I cannot part with my jewels." + +"You must, if you want your eight pounds by to-night. I know my +pawnbroker. He won't give five pounds for this little parcel. Now then, +be quick. Oh, there I see Alice Denvers coming up the road with that +other fine young lady, Bessie Challoner. Where's your jewel-case?" + +Kitty's face was like a sheet. + +"I have not any jewels," she said; "or scarcely any worth mentioning. I +didn't bring any jewels with me. But here's my watch; will that do?" + +"Do--rather! Why, it's a beauty. Don't say a word to the others; keep +your own counsel. Now, then, I'll be off to the pawnshop, and you shall +have the money to-night. _Au revoir! an revoir!_" + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +THE LADY FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. + + +Mrs. Steward was a great contrast to Mrs. Lewis. Mrs. Steward was a +tall, thin, rather refined-looking woman. Mrs. Lewis was fat and dumpy, +decidedly untidy in appearance, with a melancholy air and a habit of +constantly indulging in low weeping. Mrs. Steward looked as if she had +never wept in her life; she sat upright as a dart, her movements were +quick, her manners independent; she had a vivacious eye, a somewhat +short nose, thin lips, and a very decided manner. + +Mrs. Steward and Mrs. Lewis had a long conversation in the untidy, ugly +little parlor, while they waited for Elma to return from school. Maggie +had been going in and out, glancing with some apprehension at the lady, +and then whisking back to her kitchen to sigh profoundly and mourn for +the violets which were no longer in her possession. + +"I should like something to eat," said Mrs. Steward to her sister. "I +thought I would come to you for lunch, Caroline. Have you got anything +in the house--a lamb chop or even cold lamb and salad will do quite +nicely." + +"My dear Charlotte," said Mrs. Lewis, laying her fat, tremulous hand +upon her sister's firm but thin arm, "do you think it likely that we +often have lamb chops or even cold lamb and salad for lunch? It is true +that since the Australian meat came in we can now and then indulge in a +very small joint of lamb for Sundays, but certainly on no other day. Ah, +Charlotte, you little know the poverty to which your poor sister is +subjected." + +"I know all about it," said Mrs. Stewart, shaking herself angrily, "and +my plain answer to you is this--as you sow you must reap. What else did +you expect when you married that fool of a man, James Lewis?" + +Mrs. Lewis made a great endeavor to rise from the sofa, she made a +further effort to look dignified; but all she could really accomplish +was to burst into a fresh wail of low weeping and to murmur under her +breath, "Charlotte, you are cruel to me, you are cruel." + +"I don't mean to be, my dear; but really, Caroline, you do annoy me. +Have you no spunk at all in your composition? Are you still fretting +your heart out for that good-for-nothing man?" + +"Well, you see, I love him," said the poor wife. "The parting from my +dear husband was a terrible trial. I think of him at all hours both day +and night. I often have an uncontrollable desire to join him in +Australia." + +"Pray yield to it," said Mrs. Steward in the calmest of voices, "and +when you go, take that great lout of a Caroline with you. She is as like +you in appearance as one pea is like another. I am ashamed of you. Now, +let us turn to a more congenial topic. Little Elma, I am glad to say, +is made of very different stuff." + +"Oh, Elma is a good girl," said Mrs. Lewis. At that moment Maggie came +into the room. + +"Have you ordered your servant to prepare any lunch for me?" said Mrs. +Steward. + +"Well, really--" Mrs. Lewis looked imploringly and with a vacant eye at +Maggie. + +"There's the remains of the salt beef, mum," said that small worthy, +dropping a bob of a courtesy as she spoke. + +"I couldn't touch it," said Mrs. Steward with a shudder. "Have you got a +fresh egg in the house?" + +"Oh, my dear, nothing of the kind--a fresh egg! Fresh eggs are worth +their weight in gold. We have a stale egg, if you don't mind that." + +Mrs. Steward indulged in another shudder even more violent than the +last. + +"My good girl," she said then, "pray get me a cup of tea and some thin +toast, and be quick about it. See that the tea is really strong and the +cream fresh." + +"Cream!" murmured Mrs. Lewis; but Maggie had withdrawn. + +"Well, now, that is comfortably settled," said Mrs. Steward, "and I can +tell you what really brought me to town--I have come about Elma." + +"Indeed, and what about her?" + +"I mean to take her from you." + +"To take Elma away from me, my own dear child?" + +"Oh, now, come, Caroline, don't sicken me with your false sentiment. It +is a precious good thing for Elma that she has got an aunt ready and +willing to help her. I have just arranged to send her to a first-class +German school. Her English, I should say, was fair, and she will be +taken as pupil-teacher; she will thus have the advantage of learning +German. I heard of this through a great friend of mine, Fraeulein Van +Brunt. She is going to Germany herself next week, and will take Elma, if +you can spare her." + +"If I can spare her? But it will break my heart--such a sensible girl +as she is," said poor Mrs. Lewis. + +"Come, come, Carrie, no more nonsense; when I explain all the advantages +you will see for yourself how all-important it is that Elma should go. +The school is in the Harz Mountains, a splendid place; magnificent air, +and all the rest. If Elma stays there for two years, I will then have +her home, and send her to Girton as I promised. I will further arrange +that she spends her holidays with me, as I think really--" here Mrs. +Steward glanced round the shabby room--"I think that the less she +remains with her own family for the present the better." + +"I see what you mean. I am beneath my own child." + +"Beneath her. Well, it is a painful thing to say; but, as you put it so +frankly, I must reply in the affirmative," replied Mrs. Steward. "Ah, +who is this now?" + +The door was flung open, and Carrie, very red about the face, and with +her parcel under her arm, entered the room. Her intention was to ask her +mother to accompany her to the pawnshop. It had not been the first nor +the second nor the third time that the unfortunate lady had been obliged +to pawn her things. Carrie thought that her parent could make a better +bargain than she could herself, and she hoped that she would have been +in time to transact this little business before the arrival of her aunt. +She now gave a start of dismay, and, dropping the parcel, sank down on +the nearest chair. As she did so Kitty's watch and chain tumbled out of +the front of her dress, where she had very insecurely fastened them. The +watch was a lovely one, with an enameled back studded with pearls, and +the chain was made of eighteen-carat gold. Owing to a warning glance +from Carrie, Mrs. Lewis refrained from saying a word; but Mrs. Steward +had no idea of keeping her emotions to herself. + +"You, I presume, are Carrie," she said, looking at her niece. "Come +here, Carrie, and speak to your aunt." + +Carrie advanced as if she were treading on buttered eggs. She held out +one dimpled hand gingerly. + +"How do you do, my dear? Allow me to congratulate you on the acquisition +of that very lovely little watch and that splendid chain. Now, I am +devoured with curiosity to know who has given them to you. Surely not +your mother? Surely, Caroline, with all your faults, you have not----" + +"Oh, dear me, no," said Mrs. Lewis. + +Carrie indulged in a loud laugh. + +"Bless us, aunt," she cried, "do you suppose mother can afford to give +me these? No, I--" She grew red and turned away. + +Mrs. Lewis fidgeted on her seat, and appeared thoroughly uncomfortable. + +"I do not wish to pry into your secrets, Caroline," said Mrs. Steward, +favoring the untidy and vulgar-looking girl with a glance full of +reprehension. "You are at liberty to wear handsome watches and chains +made of the best gold if your mother cares to see you with things so +unsuitable to your class and appearance. Your doings in life are no +affair of mine. But now, as you happen to be my niece, will you have the +kindness to go immediately into the kitchen and tell Maggie, or whatever +the name of your servant is, to hurry with that tea and toast." + +Carrie was only too glad to dart from the room. She picked up her +parcel, and resorted to the kitchen. + +"Oh, Miss Carrie, I do wish you would help me," said Maggie, who was +flying distractedly about. "There's the kitchen fire all but out, and +the lady ordered toast as crisp as you please. I don't believe we can do +it for her. Wouldn't she be content with thin bread and butter curled in +rolls?" + +"Oh, of course she would, and must," said Carrie. "She is in no end of a +temper, and for my part I don't wish to humor her. Yes, of course, +Maggie. I'll cut the bread and butter and make it into rolls, and you +see to the tea." + +"Thank you, miss, I'm sure I'm much obliged, and perhaps, miss, you +wouldn't mind taking it into the dining-room, for her eyes do fasten on +to you that fierce that I get all of a tremble, and as likely as not +I'll drop the tray." + +Carrie laughed, and being at heart good-natured in her own way, helped +Maggie with some vigor to prepare the tea. + +At last a meal, which could not be remarked for its abundance, was +forthcoming, and was brought into the dining-room. + +"I ordered toast," said Mrs. Steward in an angry voice. + +"I am sorry, Aunt Charlotte," said Carrie; "but the fire happened to be +out in the kitchen. You see," she added, somewhat spitefully, "we are +obliged to economize with coals, and we don't keep a fire up in the +middle of the day." + +"Well, I am really so famished that I am content with anything," said +the good lady. "Pour me out a cup of tea at once, my dear, and just put +the bread and butter where I can reach it." + +Carrie did so, winking at her mother as she arranged the tray. The next +moment Mrs. Lewis went out into the passage. Carrie followed her, +closing the door behind their guest. + +"Mother, I want you to come with me to the Sign of the Three Balls." + +"What in the world for, Carrie?" + +"I have got to pawn some things, some beautiful things, and I am to get +ten per cent, on the commission. I shall turn over a nice little bit of +money, and you can have your favorite supper. You will come, won't you, +mother? And I'll give you half a crown into the bargain." + +"Oh, dear, dear," said Mrs. Lewis, "I wish she had not come! She never +helps me in any way. All she does is to scold me and make me more +depressed than I am already. And she blames me so for marrying your poor +father, Carrie; as if I could help that now. And what do you think she +is going to do? She says she is going to take Elma from us." + +"And a good thing, too," said Carrie. + +"Carrie, what an unnatural girl you are! Do you mean to say you would be +glad to part from your sister?" + +"I would, because I am fond of her, and she has got into the most awful +scrape at school. Don't you put any spoke in her wheel, mother, for +goodness' sake!" + +At that moment the latchkey was heard in the lock, and Elma herself +appeared on the scene. + +"Oh, good gracious! Elma," cried Carrie, darting up to her sister, and +beginning to whisper vigorously into her ear. + +"What?" said Elma, with a start of dismay. "So soon?" + +"Yes, yes; she's been here for nearly an hour. She is devouring rolled +bread and butter and tea in the dining-room at present. She asked for +toast----" + +"Yes," interrupted Mrs. Lewis, who now came up and began also to +whisper; "yes, and fresh eggs, and cream, and lamb chops, and cold lamb +and salad. I never heard of anything so unreasonable. My poor head is in +an awful whirl. But she has come about you, Elma. She wants to take you +away with her." + +"She wants to take me away with her?" exclaimed Elma, starting, and her +pale face flushing. + +"And you had better go, Elma, and be quick about it," said Carrie, +giving her a warning glance. + +"I don't know what all this means," said Elma, her heart beating +uncomfortably fast; "but I had better go in and see Aunt Charlotte." + +"Yes, my love, yes; and while you are talking to her I--What do you +say, Carrie--you and I might go out upon that little matter of business, +might we not?" + +"To be sure, mother; an excellent thought. If you stay here I'll run +upstairs and fetch your bonnet, veil, and mantle in a twinkling. Go in +to Aunt Charlotte, Elma; do, for goodness sake, make yourself of use. +More depends on it than you think. If she hears us whispering and +mattering in the hall she'll be out upon us." + +Elma instinctively put up her two hands to smooth back her hair, she +straightened her already perfectly neat little jacket, and, drawing +herself up to her full _petite_ height, entered the little dining-room. + +Elma was a perfect contrast to her untidy mother and her frowzy sister. +However poorly dressed, she was always the pink of neatness. She was +full of agitation now and nervous fear, but not a trace of these +emotions could be visible in her manner and appearance. She went up to +her Aunt Charlotte, who for her part held out both her arms and, drawing +the girl down, printed a kiss upon her cheek. + +"I am really glad to see you, Elma," exclaimed Mrs. Steward. "Sit near +me, my dear; it is a pity you were not in when I arrived. It was the +least you might have done for your aunt, Elma. You had my letter this +morning. Oh, my poor child, I have gone through a dreadful hour! These +vulgar relations of yours grow worse and worse." + +"My mother and sister?" murmured Elma. + +"Yes; it is a terrible affliction for you. But, my dear, I am going to +relieve you from the strain. I, your aunt, am coming to the rescue. +There, Elma, pour me out another cup of tea, and I will tell you +everything." + +Elma raised the teapot, she filled her aunt's cup with fresh tea, added +a little milk, and brought it to her side. + +"Thank you, my dear. Now, Elma, you may consider yourself a made girl." + +"Made?" echoed Elma, turning her white face to Mrs. Steward. + +"Yes, made. What would you say to going abroad?" + +Elma's eyes brightened. + +"Do you mean on the Continent?" + +"Yes, I do, my dear child. To no less a place than the Harz Mountains. I +have heard of a most charming school, fifty times better than Middleton +School; and you are to go there, my dear Elma, at my expense. You will +go as pupil-teacher, and you thus acquire perfect German. Think what +that will mean for you! I propose to leave you in Germany for two years, +and at the end of that time you will return and go to Girton, I being +responsible for all your expenses. My dear, your fortune is made. I have +further arranged with your poor unfortunate mother that you spend the +holidays with me, as it is not to be expected that you can associate any +longer with such a person, nor with that frowzy young woman who calls +herself your sister." + +Elma did not speak. This news which would have delighted her at another +and less harassing moment, was now fraught with perplexity and alarm. At +the same time she thought she saw in it a possible means of escape. +Suppose Aunt Charlotte took her away at once, before Kitty had time to +tell what she knew, before Middleton School had time to ring with the +news of her dishonor. Oh, if so, she might indeed be saved! + +"Am I to go immediately?" she asked, choking down a strangled sob in her +throat, "or am I to stay at Middleton School till the end of the term?" + +"Well, dear, that is the awkward part, for of course you are working +very hard for a prize, are you not?" + +"I am working for a small scholarship," answered Elma. "If I succeed in +my examination I shall obtain a scholarship in English Literature worth +ten pounds a year for three years. That would be a very large sum to me, +Aunt Charlotte." + +"A large sum to you! I should think it would be a large sum to anybody," +said Mrs. Steward in a severe tone. "Ten pounds is quite a fortune for +any young girl. Pray don't begin to speak of money in that disparaging +sort of way, Elma; it ill suits your circumstances, my love. But now, +dear, I am sorry to disappoint you--I have heard of an admirable escort; +a certain Fraeulein Van Brunt is going to the Harz Mountains next Monday; +it will therefore be necessary for me to take you back to +Buckinghamshire to-night, Elma." + +"Oh, Aunt Charlotte, I am glad!" burst from Elma's lips. + +"Glad to leave your mother and sister?" said Mrs, Steward, looking +severely at the young girl. "After all, they are the last people you +ought to associate with; but still natural ties, my dear Elma." + +"Oh, I am sorry to leave them, I am sorry to go; I am both glad and +sorry," gasped poor Elma. "I have been worried, and am glad to get out +of everything." + +"Worried! I suppose with that dreadful sister and your poor, muddled +mother. Her unfortunate habit of weeping has reduced the little brain +she possessed to a state of pap. Of course I know she is not well off; +but all she absolutely could offer me in this house was a stale egg, and +not even toast. Oh, I scorn to complain, but--I know this is not your +wish, Elma. Your ideas were always very different, my dear child." + +Elma did not say anything; she was fidgeting with her hand, making a +slight noise with the teaspoon which she was tapping against a saucer. +The noise was irritating to Mrs. Steward's easily-affected nerves. + +"That calm of manner which I trust you will acquire after you have had +the advantages which I am giving you will soon show you how very +unpleasant those little tattoos and small noises are, Elma," remarked +the good lady, taking the teaspoon severely out of her niece's hand. +"Yes, my dear, you are to come with me to-night; that is, of course--" + +"What do you mean by 'of course,' Aunt Charlotte?" + +"After I have seen your head-mistress, Miss Sherrard." + +"Do you want to see Miss Sherrard?" asked Elma, a note of alarm in her +voice. + +"Certainly; and I am going immediately to the school. You will not be +admitted into the admirable school in Germany without a testimonial from +your present teacher; and I am going to Miss Sherrard in order to +secure one. It will, of course be merely a matter of form my asking for +it, for your conduct has always been admirable--admirable in the +extreme. Miss Sherrard has written to me about you from time to time, +and always spoke of you with affection and admiration. She said your +abilities were good; your moral character without a flaw. I will just +step across to the school now, Elma; and, if you like, you can accompany +me." + +Elma hesitated. She did not yet know what had taken place; but when she +had last seen Kitty there was a flash in her eyes the reverse of +assuring. She could only hope against hope that nothing had yet taken +place; that Kitty had still kept her miserable secret. If Miss Sherrard +knew nothing she would of course give her an excellent character; and +she herself would leave Middleton School that afternoon and forever. +Then indeed she might snap her fingers at Kitty and her distress. She +would be saved just at the very moment when she thought her ruin most +imminent. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +STUNNED AND COLD. + + +"Come, Elma, what are you looking so thoughtful about?" asked Mrs. +Steward in an impatient voice. + +"Nothing, Aunt Charlotte," replied Elma, rising to her feet. "I am ready +to go," she added. She sighed as she spoke. + +"You must give up that unpleasant habit, my dear child. Nothing +irritates me more than hearing people sigh. It always seems as if they +were discontented and ungrateful to Providence. Now, what have you, for +instance, to sigh about? A singularly fortunate girl, a girl who +possesses an aunt who is willing to take a mother's duties upon her +shoulders. If it were that wretched, vulgar Carrie now, or even my poor +sister herself; but you, Elma, don't let me think that you are +ungrateful to me or I wash my hands of you on the spot." + +"Oh, I am nothing of the kind indeed, Aunt Charlotte," replied Elma. "I +always have felt that you--you were more than good to me." + +"Well, my dear that's as it should be. I honor your feelings. I often +say to myself and to your uncle-in-law--remember he is not your real +uncle, Elma, but your uncle-in-law, my dear husband, the rector of St. +Bartholomew's--'John,' I say, 'if Elma doesn't show gratitude for all I +am doing for her I shall once and for all give up the human race. I +shall never again expect right feeling from any one." But of course you +are grateful, Elma; you will be the comfort of my old age. You will be +as my own child to me. I--I sometimes think, my dear, that when your +education is finished and you are turned into a refined, +highly-cultivated, highly-trained woman, I will keep you with me. You +shall be my companion, my housekeeper, the one who is to read aloud to +me, to sit with me in the long evenings when my sight begins to fail. My +eyes do ache at times, my dear, I have thought of all that. You will be +my adopted child; not that I can leave you anything in my will, but I +would provide a home for you while I am left in this tabernacle of the +flesh. What do you say, Elma, eh?" + +"It is too soon to say anything at present," answered Elma, to whom this +prospect was the reverse of charming. To live as her aunt's unsalaried +companion could not be attractive to her; but she wisely concluded that +sufficient unto the day was the evil thereof, and she had yet to be +educated and brought to that calm of spirit and strain of intellect +which would satisfy Aunt Charlotte. + +"Come now at once," said the good lady, who suddenly from being in a +very cross temper became in the best of humor. "We have just nice time +to go across to the school, and then after we have seen Miss Sherrard to +return here for you to pack your things. What do you say, Elma, to our +both staying in London to-night? It would be a pleasant treat for you, +and there may be a few little things necessary to add to your wardrobe, +which I shall have much pleasure in providing you with. Elma, you are in +rare luck. When I think of all I am doing for you I feel that you have +indeed much to be thankful for." + +"Yes, Aunt Charlotte," echoed Elma, but her voice sounded faint, and she +brought out her words with an effort. + +Leaning on her niece's arm, Mrs. Steward now pursued her way to +Middleton School. Alas! her journey there quickly dissipated her lately +acquired good-humor. She had not gone one hundred yards before she +complained of the dust of the roads, she had not gone two before her +anger was great at the length of the way, and when she found that it was +necessary to mount uphill her complaints became loud grievances--in +short, by the time she really arrived at the school she was in as bad a +temper as Elma had ever seen her in. + +"What it is to have a great girl like you hanging on to one, dependent +on one!" she cried. "It was most inconsiderate of Caroline to marry as +she did, and she now even complains when I blame her for it. She is an +extraordinary person. If she had remained single she might have been +living comfortably with me at St. Bartholomew's rectory, and you and +Carrie would never have been in the world plaguing your relatives." + +"Well, you see we are in the world," said poor Elma, who felt that she +must just show the faintest spark of spirit. "We did not ask to be +born," she added, "so I don't see that we are to be blamed." + +Mrs. Steward favored her with a sharp glance. + +"Elma," she said, "if you indulge in pertness I shall wash my hands of +you. Now, here we are. Have the goodness to ring the bell." + +The great school door was opened presently by a neat-looking +maid-servant, and Mrs. Steward inquired in a tart voice if Miss Sherrard +was in." + +"She is, ma'am," replied the girl; "but she is particularly engaged at +this moment. Oh, is that you, Miss Lewis?" she continued. "Miss Sherrard +is just sending for you, miss; but I don't think the messenger has gone +yet. I'll run and stop him. Will you walk inside, ma'am!" + +"A messenger for me!" murmured Elma. She felt terribly uncomfortable; +her face grew whiter than ever. + +"Will you have the goodness to tell your mistress that I wish to speak +to her at once," said Mrs. Steward; "that I am in a hurry, and cannot be +kept waiting? Pray mention my name, Mrs. Steward, from St. Bartholomew's +Rectory, Buckinghamshire." + +The girl promised to do so, and withdrew. She soon returned to say that +Miss Sherrard would be pleased to see both Mrs. Steward and Miss Lewis +in her private room. + +"I wish to see Miss Sherrard alone," said Mrs. Steward. "Remain where +you are, Elma." Mrs. Steward sailed out of the room, and poor Elma sank +down on the nearest chair. + +"If Miss Sherrard has sent for me she must know something," thought the +wretched girl. "Oh! how am I to live through it? She will tell Aunt +Charlotte and then all my prospects are over." + +Meanwhile Mrs. Steward sailed down the passage with a dignity and +majesty of demeanor which impressed Miss Sherrard's neat handmaid +considerably. The next instant she was ushered into the school-mistress' +presence. + +Miss Sherrard looked troubled; she came forward to meet Mrs. Steward +very gravely, and, motioning with her hand to a chair, asked her to seat +herself. Mrs. Steward stared for a moment at the head-mistress, and the +head-mistress stared back at her. At last Mrs. Steward said glibly: + +"I am sorry to take up any of your valuable time, Miss Sherrard; but I +think I can explain my errand in a few words. I am about to remove my +niece, Elma Lewis, from the school." + +"Indeed, I am heartily glad to hear it," answered Miss Sherrard, visible +relief both in her tone and face. + +"What an extraordinary remark for you to make! But I will pass it by, +for I am in a considerable hurry. I have heard of an admirable school in +Germany to which I intend to send my niece. Not that I have the least +objection to your mode of teaching, Miss Sherrard, nor to this very +celebrated school; but of course when it comes to foreign languages you +cannot compare England to the Continent." + +"Certainly not," answered Miss Sherrard, who was now staring at the +other lady in some wonder. + +"It is my intention to remove Elma to-night," continued Mrs. Steward; +"for although it is not quite the end of term, yet the Harz Mountains +are some distance away, and it would not be possible for a young girl +who has at present no knowledge of the German language to go so far +without an escort. Miss Sherrard, you will be glad to hear that an +escort has been found, a suitable escort, and Elma will leave England +next week. Under these circumstance I propose to take her back to my +husband's rectory in Buckinghamshire to-morrow morning, and she will +leave the school now." + +"Indeed! I repeat that this is a most fortunate coincidence. I am glad +to hear it," said Miss Sherrard. + +"Your remarks seem to me the reverse of flattering; but I have no time +to ask you to explain them. What I have really come about is this: It is +necessary for Elma to have a certificate from her present mistress in +order to be admitted into the very first-class school in Germany where I +propose to place her. Will you kindly give me a testimonial in my +niece's favor, Miss Sherrard? Just say anything you can to the credit of +her character and general attainments. From your many letters to me I +judge that you have a very high opinion of the dear girl; and I trust, +now that I am doing so much, in starting this young girl in life, that I +shall not go unrewarded. The care of the young is a sad trial, Miss +Sherrard and I doubt not that the looking after Elma will worry me +considerably; but I am not one to shirk my duties, and I am willing to +take all this responsibility, and for the future to regard that young +girl as if she were indeed my own child. But I must have the +testimonial, so will you kindly write it at once." + +Miss Sherrard had been sitting with her hands clasped in her lap while +Mrs. Steward was speaking. Once she had lowered her eyes; but during +the greater part of the time they were fixed upon the good lady's face. +A look of consternation, almost akin to despair, flitted now over the +teacher's expressive countenance. + +When at last Mrs. Steward ceased to speak, Miss Sherrard still remained +for nearly half a minute quite silent. + +"You will perhaps oblige me by writing the testimonial?" said Mrs. +Steward in a very haughty voice. Then she added, perceiving that +something was wrong, and finding it impossible to guess what, "I dare +say you are annoyed at Elma leaving the school so unexpectedly--" + +"No, no; nothing of the kind," said Miss Sherrard. "I have told you +twice, Mrs. Steward, that I am glad, very glad of this." + +"Your words surprise me; but of course you will write--my time is +precious, I have not a moment to lose." + +Miss Sherrard now stood up. + +"I cannot give Elma Lewis a testimonial with regard to conduct." The +words came out quietly, firmly, distinctly. + +Mrs. Steward sprang to her feet. + +"You cannot give my niece a testimonial with regard to conduct?" she +gasped. "Do you know what you are saying what you are doing, Miss +Sherrard?" + +"Perfectly well, Mrs. Steward." + +"In your letters to me you have invariably spoken of Elma's conduct as +excellent. Miss Sherrard, you surely forget yourself--you cannot be +well; you must be mistaking Elma for one of your other pupils? She has +always been an exemplary girl. You cannot give her a testimonial with +regard to conduct? Am I to believe the testimony of my own ears?" + +"I am deeply sorry; I have seldom been more grieved about anything. I am +told that Elma has accompanied you here--if you will permit me, I will +send for her, and explain how matters really stand in your presence." + +"Oh, this is intolerable," said Mrs. Steward, clasping and unclasping +her hands in her agitation. "The wicked girl, what has she done? Pray +send for her at once, Miss Sherrard; if she has done anything really +disgraceful I wash my hands of her. If you, her mistress, cannot give +her a certificate, do you suppose that my husband and I will take her +up?" + +"It is impossible for me to say, madam. In this emergency to really help +Elma would be a Christian act. She may have been tempted beyond her +strength, but you will be better able to decide when you know the +circumstances." + +As Miss Sherrard spoke she rang the bell. "When the servant appeared, +she desired her to bring Elma immediately into her presence. A moment +later the young girl entered the room. She gave a wild and frightened +glance first at her aunt, then at Miss Sherrard, then stepping forward, +fell on her knees. + +"Has Kitty told you?" she gasped. + +"Yes, Elma. Get up; you cannot kneel to me." + +"Rise this minute you wicked girl!" said Mrs. Steward. + +Elma staggered to her feet. + +"It is all up, then," she murmured. + +"I know everything, Elma," said Miss Sherrard. "The knowledge has come +to me as a painful surprise. Your aunt has just asked me to give you a +testimonial with regard to character. I am bitterly pained to say that I +must refuse to do so." + +"But what does it all mean," cried Mrs. Steward, "and why am I to be +kept in the dark any longer? Elma, stop twirling your thumbs; stand +back. Now, Miss Sherrard, I have paid the school fees for Elma Lewis for +the last four years, so I presume I am entitled to know all about her. +Tell me what has occurred. Of what she is accused?" + +Miss Sherrard then briefly related the story which had been told to her +by Kitty. + +It was exactly the sort of tale which would affect a woman of Mrs. +Steward's caliber disagreeably. She listened with a horror-stricken +face. When the school-mistress had finished, she said abruptly: + +"What do you propose to do now?" + +"It will be necessary for me to explain the whole circumstances of +Elma's wrong-doing to the entire school to-morrow," said Miss Sherrard. +"This is necessary for the sake of Kitty Malone." + +"At what hour do you propose to make this very pleasant exhibition of my +niece?" + +"After prayers to-morrow morning--I sent for you, Elma," continued Miss +Sherrard, "to tell you, as I thought you ought to be prepared." + +"Thank you," answered Elma, her head bowed on her breast. She felt +stunned and cold. The dreadful blow had fallen; but the acute misery +which was immediately to follow was not at present awakened within +her. + +"Come, Elma," said Mrs. Steward. She turned to leave the room. Just as +she reached the door she looked back at Miss Sherrard. + +"After you have exposed Elma, and ruined her character for life, you +will doubtless expel her?" she said. + +"I hope not--I think not." + +"In any case she leaves the school, for I pay no more fees. Come Elma." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +STARS AND MOON, AND GOD BEHIND. + + +During the long walk home to Constantine Road the elder and the younger +lady maintained an absolute silence. As soon as they got to the house +Mrs. Steward turned to Elma for the first time and spoke. + +"Find out immediately if your mother is in. If she is tell her I wish to +see her. Go; don't stare at me." + +Elma went without a word. Her mother was in, and so was Carrie. + +"Mother," said Elma, "Aunt Charlotte wants to see you." + +"Why, my dear Elma, what is the matter? How queer you look!" + +"Don't mind about me, mother, pray; the expression of my face is not +worth considering. Aunt Charlotte is waiting for you in the +dining-room." + +Mrs. Lewis gave a profound sigh. + +"How very unreasonable of Charlotte!" she said; "she will doubtless be +expecting more tea and cream and fresh eggs, and other impossibilities." + +"Oh, go mother, and stop talking," said Elma. + +Mrs. Lewis dragged herself up from the sofa on which she was reclining. + +"I really don't know what the world is coming to," she said. "Even my +own children are turning out quite disagreeable to me. Dear! dear! what +it is to be a mother! How little those who are fortunate in not +possessing children understand the burden!" + +She went, downstairs slowly, and Elma turned to Carrie. + +Carrie was standing with her back to her; she was making up something in +tissue-paper. + +"Well, Elma," she said, looking up at her sister, "what is up?" + +"Everything is up," said Elma. + +"What do you mean?" + +"Everything is up and everything is over. What are you doing with that +paper, Carrie?" + +"I am folding up the money I have just got for Kitty Malone?" + +"The money you have got for Kitty Malone! Has--has Sam Raynes returned +the sovereigns?" + +"Bless you, poor Sam can't do impossibilities. No; this money has +nothing whatever to do with Sam. I am folding it up, and giving her a +little account with it. We got exactly eleven pounds eleven shillings +for the clothes and the watch and chain. She can redeem them all within +a month if she likes. Here is the pawnbroker's receipt; tell her to keep +it until she does. She can redeem them whenever she cares to pay back +eleven pounds eleven shillings with interest. My commission at ten per +cent, is one pound three shillings and tenpence--that leaves a balance +of ten pounds seven shilling and twopence; it will doubtless get her +nicely out of her difficulty. She ought to be thankful to me to her +dying day. Look here, Elma, if you are worried about things--and I can +guess what is the matter pretty well; for I happen to know that Kitty +Malone made a clean breast of your secret not long ago--you will be glad +to get out of the house. Here, take this money to her, and be off, can't +you?" + +Elma still did not speak. That cold, stunned feeling was pressing round +her heart. She did not much care whether she was in the house or not. +Just at that moment, however, a loud slam of the front door caused both +the girls to run to the window. Mrs. Steward had sailed down the steps. +Mrs. Steward with her long train streaming behind her, was walking up +Constantine Road. The next instant Mrs. Lewis burst into the room. + +"Well, Elma," she cried, "this is a pretty state of things. Your aunt +has told me everything. What a miserable woman I am!" + +"Please, don't scold me," said Elma. "I have had enough scolding during +the last hour to last me my life. Say what you like to me to-morrow." + +"But your aunt says she washes her hands of you. How are you to be +educated? How are you to live? How are you to support yourself?" + +"I don't know. I don't think it much matters." + +"Don't talk in that silly way, Elma; of course it matters. She says too +that you are to be publicly exposed at Middleton School to-morrow, and +your conduct--I must say I could not make out what she was talking +about; I don't see that you did anything very wrong--but your conduct is +to be proclaimed to the school, and that you are to be, if not expelled, +something like it. Elma, this is enough to take all my senses away!" + +"Never mind, now, mother; we can talk it all over presently," said Elma. +"Give me the money, Carrie, and let me go." + +Carrie handed her sister the little parcel without a word. Elma walked +slowly out of the room. + +A moment later she found herself on the dusty road. She reached the top +of the ugly street, and then paused to look around her. To her right lay +the peaceful valley in which Middleton School was situated. A little +further away was the open country, beautiful, verdant, full of summer +splendor. Gwin Harley's house could be seen in the distance. + +"If only Gwin had been my friend this morning, all these terrible things +need not have happened," thought Elma. "I have nothing to thank Gwin +for; I have nothing to thank Kitty for. I am a miserable, forlorn, +forsaken girl. There is nothing before me but the most wretched life. +Shall I go to see Kitty? Does Kitty deserve anything at my hands? I have +got ten pounds seven shillings and twopence in my pocket. Why should I +not go right away with the money? I don't think Kitty would prosecute +me; and if she did would it matter? I am so hopeless that I don't think +anything much worse could happen to me. I know I could not stand being +publicly exposed to-morrow at the school. I cannot have those hundreds +of eyes fixed on me; I, who have always been looked up to, respected, +who belonged to the Tug-of-war Society. I cannot, cannot bear it. Why +should Kitty have this money? She has treated me badly. She promised +not to tell. She had no right to break her word. I cannot see her at +present; no, I cannot." + +Elma walked down the road. She longed beyond words to get into a fresh +place, to be where there was no chance of meeting a Middleton girl. She +walked faster and faster. Presently she found herself at the little +station; she had not an idea where to go nor what to do. She had no +luggage with her. It would look queer her going away without even a +handbag. It would look very much as if she were running away. All the +girls belonging to Middleton School had to wear a badge on their hats, +and Elma would therefore be known. She would be recognized as one of the +pupils. Nevertheless she thought she would risk it, for the longing to +go away got stronger and stronger. + +The railway station happened to be rather empty at this time. She looked +around her hastily, saw no one that she knew about, and went into the +booking-office. She hastily made up her mind to take a ticket for a +large seaport town a few miles distant. She asked for a third-class +single ticket to Saltbury, inquired when the next train came up, and a +few moments later found herself on the right platform waiting for it. It +came in within a quarter of an hour, and Elma took her seat in a +third-class compartment. She was relieved to find that she was in the +company of a good-natured-looking, middle-aged woman who was just +returning to her own home from doing some marketing at Middleton. She +did not take any notice of Elma, who crouched up in the opposite corner, +and sat looking out at the country. The woman left the carriage at the +next station, and Elma continued her journey for the rest of the way +alone. She got to Saltbury within an hour, and stepped out on to the +platform. She had been at Saltbury before with her mother and Carrie. +They had once spent a never-to-be-forgotten week there when Mrs. Lewis +had a ten-pound note in her pocket which she resolved to devote to a +treat at the seaside. Elma wondered if she might venture to go to the +little cottage in the suburbs of Saltbury where she had spent this week. +After reflection, however, she thought that it would not be wise to +venture, for if she were missed it would be very easy to trace her to +Saltbury, and then this cottage would be the first to seek for her in. +Accordingly she went into the more thronged and populous part of the +town. The expensive season had not yet begun, and she presently went +into a neat little house with "Apartments" written on a card in the +window. She asked for a bed for the night. The landlady, a ruddy-faced +young woman, immediately said she could accommodate her, and took Elma +upstairs to the top of the house to show her a neat little bedroom. + +"You can have this for half a crown a night, miss," she said. "Are you +likely to make a long stay?" + +"I don't know," answered Elma; "I can't be sure. I want the room for one +night, and then I'll let you know." + +"Very well, miss, that's quite satisfactory, and I can get in anything +you like in the way of food. If you happened to wish for a sitting-room, +miss--" + +"Oh, no, a bedroom will be enough," answered Elma. "I do not care to go +to the expense of a sitting-room." + +"You left your luggage I suppose, miss, at the railway station?" + +Elma colored and then turned pale. + +"No," she said; "I have not brought any luggage with me." + +The woman stared, opening her eyes very wide, now giving Elma a full and +particular attention which she had not hitherto vouchsafed to her. She +said nothing further, and Elma went downstairs. + +"I'll go down to the beach for a little," she said. "You might have some +tea ready for me when I come back. I am very tired, and should like some +tea and toast." + +"And a hegg, miss, or anything of that sort?" + +"No, thank you; just tea and toast, please. Nothing more." + +The woman stared after her as she went down the street. Elma got as far +as the beach; she then sat down on a bench and gazed out at the waves. +The tide was coming in. The beach at Saltbury was celebrated, and +children were playing about, amusing themselves gathering shells, making +sand-castles, and otherwise disporting themselves after the manner of +their kind. A little boy was wading far out. Elma watched him with +lack-luster eyes. She wondered vaguely how long he would be allowed to +wade, and how deep he might go. He got as far as his knees, and then +turned back. As he was going back he fell, wetting himself and crying +out lustily. + +Elma continued to gaze at him with eyes which scarcely saw. + +"He thinks he is hurt," she said to herself, "that he has had a +terrible misfortune. How little he knows what real pain means, and what +real misfortune is! Here am I with money in my pocket which does not +belong to me, having run away from home, disgraced for life, miserable +for life. Oh! what shall I do?" + +It had been a very hot day, but the evening was chilly, and Elma +shivered as she went back to her lodgings in South Street. She had +brought away no wraps with her, and her thin cotton dress was not +sufficient to keep out the chill of the sea breezes. She thought she +would be glad to get under shelter, to go to bed, to wrap herself up and +cover her face and court sleep. When she got to the door, however, the +young landlady, who was evidently waiting for her, came out on to the +steps. + +"If you please, miss," she said, "I am really very sorry, but my husband +thinks----" + +"What?" said Elma. + +"That as you have no luggage, miss (you know it ain't customary for us +to take in ladies without luggage)----" + +"Then you mean--" said Elma, turning very white and pale. + +"Yes, miss, I'm ever so sorry." + +"You can't give me the room even for one night?" + +"We can't really, miss." + +"But I can pay in advance," said Elma eagerly. + +"I'm ever so sorry, miss; but another lady came just as you left, and +she had a box and a handbag, and everything proper, and as she wanted +the room very badly and as we had her before, we have let it to her, +miss. I am sure I am very sorry not to oblige; but I dare say--There +are a great many other apartments down this road, miss." + +"Thank you," said Elma; "it does not matter at all." + +She spoke with a voice of ice; pride, a remnant of pride, came to her +aid. She would not let the woman see how distressed she was. + +"Good-evening, miss," said the young landlady. "I'm real sorry not to +oblige." + +"Oh, it doesn't matter," said Elma; "I dare say I can manage." + +She walked down South Street, knowing that the landlady was watching her +as she disappeared. She soon came to a corner where four roads met. +Where should she go? What could she do? Where was she to have shelter +for the night? + +It occurred to her that after all there was nothing now left to her but +to return to Middleton. She hurried up to the railway station, and asked +when the next train would start. A porter, who was standing just inside +the station informed her that the last train for Middleton had left five +minutes ago. + +"The next will be at seven to-morrow morning," he said. + +"Thank you," answered Elma. She would not allow any of the dismay on her +face to appear. + +"After all, it is too absurd that I can't have shelter," she said to +herself, "when I have over ten pounds in my pocket. What can the +landlady have meant? Surely, if I pay my way that is all that is +necessary." + +But, all the same, she did not like to go and inquire at any other +lodging. She could not stand meeting once again the stony stare of a +landlady when she explained that she had no luggage, none at all. It +occurred to her that she might go into a shop and buy some night-gear +and a small handbag, but she rejected the idea almost as quickly as it +came to her. + +"It would only waste the money," she said to herself, "and where is the +use? I suppose I can manage to spend the night somewhere. Thank +goodness, it is a fine summer's night; I might do worse than spend it in +the open air." + +She wandered away, and presently passing a small restaurant, went in and +ordered a cup of tea for herself, and some bread and butter. She drank +the tea, but found that to eat choked her. The outlook before her was +more miserable moment by moment. She was driven to such despair that it +seemed of very little consequence to her whether she succeeded in +getting away from Middleton School, from the censorious eyes of the +whole of her world, or not. Everything was up with her. She kept +repeating that moodily, drearily under her breath. Everything was up; +she had not a friend in the wide, wide world. + +Having finished her meager meal, she went out again into South Street. +She was horrified when she saw the name at one end of the street. She +did not want to pass by that neat little house which contained that snug +little bedroom where she had hoped to cover her eyes from the light, and +court sleep, in order to get rid of her misery for a few hours. + +She had now reached the neighborhood of the shore. The tide was nearly +full in; the great, broad expanse of beach was covered. The children +had all gone home to supper and to bed. The stars were coming out in the +sky; a full moon was riding in majesty across the heavens. It seemed to +Elma, fine as the night was, that the sea moaned in an unreasonable and +very dreadful manner. She had to press her hands to her ears to shut +away the sound of that moaning sea. She determined to go inland. There +was plenty of time, plenty. She could get back to the station by seven +in the morning, wait for the first train which returned to Middleton, +and reach the school after all in time for her exposure. + +She turned her steps now countrywise, and after walking for a mile or +two found that she was too weary to go any further. She crept inside a +narrow opening in a hedge, and got into a field. Here she was absolutely +alone; not a human being was in sight. As far as she could tell there +was not a living creature near. She felt the grass; it was heavy with +dew. She had always heard that it was very dangerous to sit down on +grass soaked with dew, but danger now was of no moment to her. + +"It would be rather nice to be ill; it would be rather nice to die." She +had nothing left to live for. Her whole life had been a mistake. She had +tried hard to get away from her own set, the set in which she was born. +She had made a mess of it; she had failed. Her own set--the +narrow-minded, the vulgar, the low--were the only ones who could claim +her, who could touch her, who could have anything in common with her. +How terribly shocked Miss Sherrard had been at what she had done. How +disgusted, how coldly, terribly cruel Aunt Charlotte had been; but her +mother had thought very little about it, and Carrie would love her just +as much after her disgraceful conduct as she had done before. + +"I belong to them, and they belong to me," thought poor Elma. "My +ambitions were wrong; I shall sink now, and become a second Carrie. No, +I shall never marry a Sam Raynes, but I shall become a sour old maid. +Perhaps I shall do charring some day, there is no saying. I did wrong to +try to raise myself. I----" + +She never saw where her fault lay. She was not really repentant for her +wrong-doing. The consequences were terrible, but the sin did not trouble +her. + +After a time, terribly exhausted and weary, she lay down just as she was +on the soaking wet grass and fell asleep. She had been chilled and tired +before she slept; but when in the very middle of the night she awoke she +had never known anything like the bitter cold which she experienced. She +could not at first remember where she was; but all too soon memory with +a flash returned to her. She remembered all the events of yesterday. She +knew that she was a runaway, that she had stolen money in her pocket. +She might be arrested and put in prison; there was no saying what awful +fate lay before her. In the dead of night lying there she became really +frightened; she almost felt as if she could scream aloud in her terror. +How empty the world seemed, how hollow! She wished the stars overhead +would not blink at her; she wished the moon would go behind a cloud; she +felt as if God Himself was looking at her through the face of the moon, +and she did not like it. She covered her face with her cold and +trembling hands, and tried to shut away what she felt might be the face +of God Himself. + +"I have been a very wicked girl," she moaned, and now, for the first +time, she thought not so much of the consequences as of the sin. Tears +rained from her eyes; she sat up and covered her face. + +"God help me! Please, God, don't be too angry, with me; I am the most +miserable girl in the world," she faltered. + +After that frightened cry or prayer she felt more comfortable; and now, +staggering to her feet, she saw, standing about ten yards away, and +looking at her fixedly out of its large and luminous eyes, a brown cow. +There were several more cows in the field, and this one had come up, and +was gazing inquiringly at her. The motherly creature could not imagine +what desolate and queer young thing this was, up and awake in the middle +of the night. Such creatures as Elma, in the cow's experience, were not +to be seen at these inclement hours. It lashed its long tail slowly from +side to side, and kept gazing at her; and Elma looked at it, and her +nervous terrors grew worse. The cow had horns; suppose it came near, and +tried to horn her. She was not a country girl, and did not understand +country creatures. A bitter cry of abject terror rose from her lips. She +darted past the animal, rushed out by the way she had come into the +field, and found herself once more on the highroad. + +The cow, its curiosity very faintly tickled by the appearance of Elma on +the scene, placidly resumed its feeding, and the terrified girl ran as +if she had wings to her feet up the highroad. + +In after days she was never able to tell how she spent the remainder of +that night; but the longest hours only herald in the dawn, and at last +the sun arose and the worst of her fears were over. The sun warmed her, +and took away the dreadful feeling of chill which she was experiencing. +She wandered about, sitting down now and then, too feeble, too tired, +too utterly depressed to have room even for active fears, and at last +the time came when she might again present herself at the station. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +SUNSHINE AGAIN. + + +When Carrie left her, Kitty Malone was buoyed up with a certain degree +of hope. Carrie had spoken with confidence; she had assured her that her +clothes were worth money. Never before, much as she prized pretty +things, had they seemed so valuable in poor Kitty's eyes. If Carrie +would really keep her word it would be possible for Kitty to send Laurie +the money which he wanted that evening. Could she do this her worst +anxieties would be laid to rest, and she felt that it would be even +possible for her to try to be good once more. As things were at present, +she cared nothing at all about being either good or bad. Every thought +of her mind was fixed upon Laurie; if he were saved she would be good; +if not--if he indeed, the darling of her heart, went to the +dogs--nothing mattered. + +Kitty was too restless and miserable to go down to the rest of the +family. She walked up and down, up and down her bedroom, watching and +longing for Carrie. Now and then she would rush to the window, putting +out her head and shoulders and half her body, to watch if by any chance +Carrie might be coming up the street. That red-faced, fat, +uninteresting-looking young woman now represented all Kitty's hopes. + +When darkness set in, however, when the hours first struck nine and +then ten, poor Kitty gradually saw the last star in her firmament +expire. "Without doubt Carrie had failed to pawn the things. + +"And I thought them so good," whispered Kitty to herself. "Aunt Bridget +would be sure to choose nice and expensive things. Perhaps they were too +good for the people who come to the pawnbroker for their clothes. That +must be the reason; but I wonder Carrie did not come back to tell me." + +Presently Alice bustled into the room, and, opening the door of the +large wardrobe which the girls shared between them, began to make active +search for a neat little jacket which she wanted to put on. She was +going out for the evening, and wished to wear it when she was returning +home. Search as she would, however, she could not find it, and presently +turned to ask Kitty if she had seen it. + +"Dear me, no," answered Kitty, starting and blushing. "Is it not in the +wardrobe?" + +"No," replied Alice. "And I remember I hung it on this peg. Where can it +possibly have disappeared to? Don't you know anything about it, Kitty? +By the way, how wonderfully empty the wardrobe looks! Have you been +putting your clothes back into your boxes?" + +Kitty, who had been standing in the middle of the room looking the very +picture of despair, now burst into a hearty peal of laughter. + +"What are you laughing about?" asked Alice. + +"I am awfully afraid it has happened," she cried. + +"What do you mean?" + +"Why, that your jacket has gone to the pawn." + +"Kitty!" cried Alice, looking at the Irish girl in some alarm, "have you +gone mad?" + +"No, Alice; but I am dreadfully afraid all the same that it has +happened; indeed, there can be no doubt of it." + +Kitty laughed again. She often cried when she laughed and now the tears +ran down her cheeks. + +"Well, this is too funny!" she gasped between her paroxysms of mirth. + +"I don't think it funny at all. I think you must have taken leave of +your senses. Kitty, please, explain yourself." + +"I will try to, Alice. Oh, don't frown at me so horribly, or I shall go +off into fits of laughter again. This is the simple truth. I wanted +money very, very badly. I could not get it, and Carrie Lewis--" + +"Carrie Lewis? Who is she?" asked Alice. + +"Oh, don't be so ridiculous, Alice. Of course you know who Carrie Lewis +is. She is Elma's sister. She came here to-day." + +"How very interesting! What a nice set of people you seem to be getting +to know! I wasn't aware that you were acquainted with any of the Lewises +except Elma." + +"Well, I am acquainted with Carrie now, and I rather like her. She is +great fun, much more fun than you are. She is vulgar, of course; but +really that does not matter. She called to see me, and as I happened to +want money she suggested pawning some of my things for me. I conclude +she took your jacket by mistake with the rest." + +Alice was so stunned absolutely by this news that no words would come +to her. She stared at Kitty, her face growing whiter and more +wooden-looking each moment. Then, without vouchsafing a syllable of +reply, she left the room, banging the door behind her. + +"There, I have given her a good settler," thought Kitty; and for a +moment the feeling that Alice was as uncomfortable as she was herself +gave her a certain sense of satisfaction. + +The last post brought a letter from Laurie. It was brief, and was +written in frantic hurry and despair. + +"My dear Kitty," wrote the boy, "what has come to you? I am looking for +a letter by every post, but none arrives. I shall not be able to give +Wheel-about the money I promised him on Saturday, and I know he will not +keep my secret any longer. When father hears it, all is up. If I don't +receive that money by Saturday morning I shall run away to +sea.--LAURIE." + +The letter fluttered from poor Kitty's fingers to the floor. She felt +stunned; there was a cold weight now at her heart, which made it almost +impossible for her to move or even think. If Laurie did not get the +money by Saturday morning he would run away to sea. This was Thursday +evening. There was still time, just time, to save him. Oh, if only +Carrie would come! How dreadful, how terrible of her to fail Kitty at +such a moment as this! Laurie was just the sort of boy to do what he +said. The longing to go to sea had been one of the innermost cravings of +his heart for many years. If he did so, the squire would never forgive +him. His career would be ruined. Bad and awful as an English school in +Kitty's opinion would be, the fate which he now had mapped out for +himself would be much worse. The cruel, cruel sea might even drown him. +Kitty might never behold her Laurie again. He was the joy of her heart +and the light of her eyes. She uttered a piercing cry, and fell down +half-fainting by her bedside. She lay so for the greater part of an +hour, then struggling to her feet got into bed without undressing, and +pulled the bedclothes well over her head. + +When Alice came in very late that evening she thought that Kitty was +asleep, and did not disturb her; but all during the long hours of that +miserable night poor Kitty lay awake, her heart beating loud, terrible +visions passing before her eyes. Toward morning she fell into a troubled +sleep, to awake again quite early. Her head ached badly, her pulses beat +too quickly; she could not stand her hot bed any longer. Springing up, +she went into the bathroom, turned on the cold water, and refreshed +herself with a bath. She felt really desperate and quite impervious to +all ideas of discipline. She made up her mind to go to the Lewises, +knock up Carrie, and demand an account of the property which she had +confided to her on the previous day. Even still there was just--just +time to save Laurie, for if she could catch the early post he would +receive his money on Saturday morning. + +Kitty found herself at Constantino Road between seven and eight o'clock. +The blinds of Carrie's bedroom window were still down, for the Lewises +were not early risers. Maggie however, was up, and when Kitty rang the +bell she opened the door for her. + +"Miss Malone!" she cried. + +"I want to see Miss Carrie at once," cried Kitty. "Is she up, Maggie?" + +"Not she, miss. She's sound asleep and in bed. But I'll run up and tell +her that you are here. Please come into the dining-room, Miss Malone." + +Maggie threw open the door of this by-no-means luxurious apartment, and +then ran upstairs to inform Carrie of Kitty's unexpected arrival. + +"Now, what can be up?" thought Carrie. "Surely she is satisfied. I did +very well for her." + +She dressed herself hastily, and in five minutes was standing by Kitty's +side. + +"What is it?" she asked. "Are you not pleased? Elma took you the money, +did she not? She must have stayed with one of the Middleton School girls +for the night, for she never returned home; but she took you the money. +I thought I did very well by you. Were you not satisfied?" + +"She took me the money?" cried Kitty, turning pale. "No; that she did +not. I never had any money. What do you mean, Carrie?" + +"What I say," answered Carrie. "Oh, do sit down, Kitty; you look quite +ghastly. I gave Elma ten pounds seven shillings and twopence to give you +I got eleven guineas for your things, including the watch and chain. +After I deducted my ten per cent., the balance for you was ten pounds +seven and twopence. I thought you would be delighted. Did she not take +you the money early yesterday evening?" + +"No. I have never seen her." + +"But she left here quite early on purpose. She said she was going +straight to your house. I sent you plenty of money, did I not?" + +"How much did you say?" asked Kitty, putting her hand up to her forehead +in a distracted way. + +"Ten pounds seven and twopence. You only really wanted eight pounds, did +you not?" + +"I had a little money of my own, and eight pounds would have done," said +Kitty in a low voice; "but----" + +Here she sprang forward and gripped Carrie by the arm. "What does it +mean, Carrie--what does it mean? Elma never came near me; I never, never +saw her last night." + +"You never saw her? Elma never went to you?" + +"No, never. Do you think I would tell an untruth? I never saw her, not +since early school yesterday. Oh, Carrie, tell me what it means?" + +"I cannot. I must say it looks very queer," said Carrie. She frowned, +turned her back partly upon Kitty, and supporting her fat chin on one of +her dimpled hands, began to think deeply. The more she thought the less +she liked the aspect of affairs. + +"Carrie, what does it mean?" cried Kitty, reiterating her words in a +kind of frenzy of agitation. + +"Oh, stop talking to me for a minute, Kitty! I must think this out." + +Carrie walked to the window, pulled up the blinds, threw the sash up, +and allowed the fresh morning air to blow upon her hot face. After a +time she turned round and faced Kitty. + +"You may well look pale," she said. "I confess I am as bewildered as you +are yourself. Of course Elma may have been taken ill--she had a +dreadful shock yesterday." + +"How?" + +"You are silly to talk like that. Don't you know?" + +"You mean because I told about her?" + +"Well, it turned out very badly, as badly as possible. You did tell, and +when you did so you ruined her. If you had only kept that precious story +to yourself, even for twenty-four hours, little Elma would have been +made--made for life; but you ruined her." + +"Oh do please tell me what you mean! My head is going round in a whirl; +I can scarcely follow you." + +"You can pull yourself together if you like. This is what happened. I +told you, did I not, yesterday, that Aunt Charlotte pays Elma's fees at +Middleton School?" + +"I think so, but I don't quite remember." + +"That is so like you. I always said you were selfish." + +"Think what you like, Carrie; but please tell me everything." + +"Oh, I'm quite willing. This is the story. Aunt Charlotte came here +yesterday. She had heard of a splendid school in Germany, where Elma was +to be sent as pupil-teacher. She wanted Elma to leave Middleton School +at once, as she had found an escort to take her to Germany; but before +Elma could be admitted into this new school it was necessary for her to +have a certificate from Miss Sherrard. Now you see daylight, don't you? +My aunt, Mrs. Steward, went to see Miss Sherrard, taking Elma with her. +Elma did not know that you had put a match to the mine, and of course +Aunt Charlotte knew nothing about it. When Miss Sherrard was asked to +give Elma a certificate for conduct, she refused point-blank. Of course +the mine exploded. Elma was called in, and all your nice, miserable +story told to Aunt Charlotte. Elma is to be publicly exposed at +Middleton School to-day; and Aunt Charlotte has washed her hands of her +forever. There! that's what you have done. We have much to thank you +for, have we not?" + +Kitty's face had grown whiter and whiter. + +"You blame me very much for what I am not to be blamed for," she said +after a pause. + +"That's what you think. You're an Irish girl, and you think nothing of a +promise. You promised Elma you would not tell. You lent her the money, +and you promised you would not tell about it. You broke your promise, +and you have ruined her for life. There! that's what has happened. I +wish you joy of the nice state your conscience must be in." + +"You are very bitter to me, Carrie; but you cannot quite see my side of +the question. I would not have told about Elma if Elma had been in the +least true to me, but she was not, not a bit. All the same, I am +terribly, terribly sorry for her. I would not have got her into this +scrape if I had known." + +"Ay, you had no thought, you see. You just blurted out everything." + +"I am very miserable," said poor Kitty. She clasped her trembling hands +together, and tears slowly welled into her beautiful dark-blue eyes. +Carrie watched her with anxiety. + +"There, now I like you," she said, after a pause "You look awfully +pretty with those tears in your eyes, and----" + +"Pretty, do I?" said Kitty. For a moment a pleased smile flitted across +her face, but then it faded; the present anxiety was too intense for her +to give much thought to her personal appearance. + +"Where can Elma be?" she said. + +"Ah, that's the dreadful part. I don't know. She went out of the house +with your money. She evidently never took it to you. I am sure I cannot +think what has happened to her." + +"And my money is gone?" said Kitty. + +"So it seems--that is, unless we can find Elma. It is all very dreadful, +very horrible. I suppose the plain English of the matter is this"--here +Carrie gulped something down in her throat--"that she--she stole your +money and has run away with it." + +"Carrie, you cannot think so!" + +"It is what I have to think," answered Carrie. "It is a mighty +unpalatable truth, I can tell you. I suppose, now, your next step will +be to prosecute her to send the police after her, and have her locked +up. Then you will ruin me too, for Sam Raynes--not that he is +overparticular, nor that he cares twopence about refinement, or anything +of that sort--would not care to marry a girl whose--whose sister was put +in prison. That's your next step isn't it, Kitty Malone?" + +"I won't stop to listen to you," said Kitty; "you are too terrible." + +She ran to the door, opened it, and the next moment found herself in +the street. She walked fast, ugly words repeating themselves in her +ears. Carrie had been very blunt, and had given the petted, half-spoiled +girl some home truths to think about. Had she really been unkind in +telling about Elma? Oh, what was right and what was wrong? What was the +matter? Could she ever, ever, in the whole course of her existence, have +a light heart again? She walked up the street, little caring what she +was doing or where she was going. At the next corner she came plump upon +Elma herself, who was coming slowly, very slowly in the direction of +Constantine Road. When she saw her, poor Kitty gave a sudden shout. + +"Oh, Elma!" she said, "how glad I am--how glad I am!" + +"What do you mean?" said Elma. Her voice was faint. + +"I thought I might never see you again. I thought--I don't know what I +thought--but you have come back." + +"I ran away, and I have come back again," said Elma. "You can punish me +if you like, Kitty; things can never be much worse than they are." Here +she staggered, and would have fallen had not Kitty held her up. + +"How dreadfully bad you look! But oh, the relief of seeing you again!" +said Kitty. "Where have you been? What have you done?" + +"I scarcely know what I have done, or where I have been. I have a noise +in my head, a queer noise. My head aches so badly it seems as if it +would never leave off again. I am going to school, and they are going +to expose me. It was all because you told, Kitty. And here is nearly +all your money." Elm a put her hand into her pocket. "I must tell you +everything, Kitty; for nothing really matters now. I meant to take that +money. I meant to steal it all, but when it came to the point I found I +could not. Here is most of it back. I spent three shillings on my fare +to Saltbury and back, and sixpence on tea last night. That leaves ten +pounds three and eightpence. Here, count it, won't you, Kitty? Take it +in your hand. Here are the ten sovereigns, and the three shillings, and +the sixpence and twopence. Have you got them all right? I must owe you +the balance, but I'll pay you soon--soon." + +Elma's voice sounded weaker and weaker. Kitty clasped the money; her +small fingers closed over it, her eyes grew bright, a flaming color rose +into each of her cheeks, and it was as if new life was put into her. + +"How bad you look!" she cried; "but oh, how happy I am to have this +money! Never mind for a moment what you meant to do; I have it now, and +I forgive you with my whole heart. Let us go straight to the nearest +post office. I must get a postal order lor eight pounds immediately. +Come, Elma, come." + +"But what do you mean? Why should I go with you?" + +"Because you must--because I am not going to part with you--not yet. +Come, come at once. Oh, how dead tired you look! You are not to go back +to that dreadful little house of yours--not yet. Here is a nice-looking +restaurant. You just go straight in, and I'll go on to the post office +and send off the postal order to the dear old boy. He is saved now, and +I am saved; nothing--nothing else matters. Dear Elma, of course I +forgive you; pray don't look so miserable. I felt fit to die five +minutes ago, but now I am as well and jolly as possible. Here, Elma, +come into the restaurant and wait." + +Kitty had clutched hold of Elma's arm, and now she dragged her into a +large, bright-looking restaurant, which they were just passing. The next +moment Elma found herself seated by a small marble table. Kitty was +ordering tea or something, Elma could not quite make out what, nor did +she care. Everything was dreamy and unreal to her. + +"I'll be back in a minute, Elma," cried Kitty. Her flashing eyes smiled +as they glanced at Elma. Elma tried to smile back, but could not. The +next moment Kitty was out of the place. She was back again in less than +a quarter of an hour. + +"I have done it," she cried, "and my heart is as light as a feather. I +have sent off the postal order to Laurie; he will be saved now. Oh, it +is so comforting; and we have a little over two pounds for ourselves." + +"For ourselves--what do you mean?" said Elma. + +"Why, of course, we'll divide it and have a jolly time. Aren't you going +to have your breakfast? I'm as hungry as a hawk." + +As Kitty spoke she poured out a cup of tea, added milk to it, and pushed +it toward Elma. Elma drank it off, and when she had done so the confused +feeling in her head got a little better. Kitty then began to speak in a +low, excited whisper. + +"Let us do something," she said. "Let us do something quite mad and +wild and jolly. We have got out of our scrape." + +"You have; but I am in it up to my neck," said poor Elma. "Oh Kitty, I +am a miserable, wretched girl!" + +"Never mind, you are going to be a jolly girl now, the jolliest girl in +the world. Do you think because I am happy again that I am going to +leave you to all this misery, particularly after that nice blunt, +determined Carrie of yours telling me that it was my fault, and that I +would repent it to my dying day? Look here, Elma, did you say that you +wanted to go back to Middleton School this morning?" + +"I have to. I am to be exposed, you know." + +"Not a bit of it. Neither you nor I will go to that hateful school; let +us run away." + +"Run away? But I have run away and come back again." + +"Let us do it over again." + +"Kitty, what do you mean?" + +"What I say. I have heaps of money; let us get back to Saltbury and enjoy +ourselves, Elma. Why can't we take the next train? No one will prevent +us; no one will guess where we are. We will have a nice time, a really +nice time. Say 'Yes,' Elma, won't you?" + +"But would you really go with me?" + +"Why not? I am the wild Irish girl, and you are the naughty English +girl; let us go off together." + +"Well, it does sound tempting," said Elma, her eyes sparkling. "Kitty, +it is wonderful of you not to give me up." + +"Oh, I am not the sort of girl to give up a friend when she is in +trouble. You have made it right for me, and the sun is shining again, +and I am as happy as the day is long. Elma, you must come." + +"It does sound tempting--I wish my head did not ache so badly." + +"It will be better when you get to the seaside." + +"Perhaps so, and then I need not go to Middleton School." + +"You need never go there again. Oh, don't waste any more time over +breakfast. We can eat when we get to Saltbury. I want to get off before +Alice and Carrie or any of them begin to miss us. Let us go to the +railway station; it is not far off." + +Kitty's eager and impetuous words earned the day, and in a quarter of an +hour's time the girls found themselves speeding away to Saltbury. + +"We have indeed burned our boats now," said Kitty, with a laugh; "we +have both run away. Now they have something really to scold us about; +but never mind. I never felt, more jolly in my life." + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +KITTY "GO-BRAGH" (FOREVER). + + +But Kitty's happiness was very short-lived, for long before they got to +Saltbury Elma was really so ill that she could not hold up her head. +Kitty had never seen such severe illness before. She was not easily +frightened; she had plenty of pluck when a real emergency arose, and she +now determined to do her best for her companion. + +"It is all the worry and the misery she has undergone," thought Kitty to +herself; "but now that my mind is at rest she will see what a good +friend I can be to her." When they got to Saltbury she immediately +ordered a cab, and desired the man to drive her to the nearest hotel. + +"Oh, Kitty!" gasped poor Elma, "they won't take us in, because we have +no luggage, you know." + +"I'll manage it," said Kitty; "no luggage--what does that matter?" + +She followed Elma into the cab, and a few moments later the girls found +themselves at the door of a neat little inn facing the sea. Kitty jumped +out and went straight to the bar. + +"I want a nice, quiet bedroom," she said, "with two beds in it." + +"Certainly, miss," said the woman, glancing into Kitty's bright face. + +"It must be a very quiet room," continued Kitty, "for my companion is +ill; she has a bad headache, and we must send for a doctor immediately." + +"Yes, miss. I'll send the porter out to bring in your luggage." + +"That's the annoying part," said Kitty; "we have no luggage." + +The woman looked dubious, and turned to glance at a man who approached. + +"Two young ladies want a room," she said in a low voice. "One of them is +ill, and--they have no luggage." + +"Then in that case, miss, I am very sorry----" began the man. + +But Kitty interrupted him. + +"Don't say those words," she began. "I know exactly what you are going +to say, but please don't. We have no luggage, for we--we have run away +from school. There now, I have confided in you. Here's father's card. He +will be responsible for us. Please show us to your very best room +immediately." + +As Kitty spoke she took a card out of her sealskin purse and handed it +to the woman. + +"Dennis Malone, Castle Malone, County Donegal," was inscribed on the +small piece of pasteboard. It evidently had a good effect, but a still +greater effect was produced by the sparkling and lovely eyes of the +handsome girl who spoke in a tone of quiet assurance. + +"Father will be so grateful to you for taking us in," she continued. "It +would be terrible, you know, if you allowed us to wander about the +streets. I am going to telegraph to him now, and he will arrive here, I +have no doubt, within the next twenty-four hours. I have not much money +with me," added Kitty frankly, "but father will bring plenty--plenty when +he arrives." + +Again the man and woman whispered together, and now approving and +interesting glances turned in Kitty's direction. The woman presently +said: + +"Very well, miss, we'll do our best for you. Will you follow me, miss?" + +She took Kitty and Elma upstairs and showed them into the best room in +the house. In a very short time poor Elma found herself in bed, with +Kitty bending over her, kissing her now and then, and whispering kind +words in her ears. + +"I have managed beautifully with the people of the hotel," whispered +Kitty. "And now, darling, you'll be made so comfortable. I am going to +make up to you for--for what Carrie said I did." + +"But you did nothing; it was I who was bad, very bad," cried Elma. + +"Oh, don't begin to get remorseful now, while you are ill. Wait, at +least until you are better. I have ordered some fruit and jelly and ice, +and I have asked the landlady--isn't she a dear--to send for the +doctor." + +"It seems like a dream," said Elma. "Is it possible that everything has +changed so completely, and you--you, Kitty Malone--you to whom I have +acted so badly, are good to me?" + +"Yes, yes, I mean to be good to you; but don't begin to fret about your +sins until you are better. Leave unpleasant things alone. Go to sleep, +Elma; go to sleep." + +Kitty went out of the room and stood and reflected for a few moments on +the landing. + +"Here's a state of things," Kitty said to herself; "but on the whole I +rather like it. I knew I should be good in emergencies; I felt that it +was in me. I am afraid poor Elma is going to be downright ill. I suppose +I did wrong to run away--perhaps I did; but I am so relieved about +Laurie that nothing else seems to matter now. I will telegraph +immediately to the dear old dad and ask him to come right away here at +once. When I see him and know that Laurie is really saved, I'll just +tell him everything. Oh, yes, that is the only--only thing to do." + +Kitty went straight to the nearest post office, and in an incredibly +short space of time the following message was being carried across the +wires to Castle Malone: + +"AT THE SIGN OF THE RED DOE, SALTBURY.--You will be surprised, father; +but I have run away from school. I will tell you everything when I see +you. I am here with a sick girl who has also run away. We have very +little money; and I, your Kitty, want you dreadfully. Come to me as +quickly as you can. + +"KITTY MALONE." + +"Bless him," said the girl to herself. "He may be angry for a minute, +but this message will bring him on the wings of the wind. Now that it +has gone off I wonder ought I to let them know at Middleton?" + +Kitty reflected earnestly over this problem. She quickly, however, made +up her mind to keep her secret to herself. + +"A little suspense will be rather good for Alice than otherwise," she +thought; "and although Mr and Mrs. Denvers may be anxious about me, they +can but telegraph to father; and as he will know my address already it +won't put him into a taking. Miss Sherrard too can bear it; and as to +Carrie, I am really sorry for poor old Carrie, and I should not much +mind having her here; but I think until father comes I will look after +Elma my lone self, as they say in Ireland." + +Having made up her mind, Kitty went back to the hotel and asked the +landlady, with whom she was now great friends, to send for the best +doctor in the neighborhood. + +Dr. Marchand arrived in the course of the morning, and pronounced Elma +to be ill, but not alarmingly so. + +"Your young friend is suffering from considerable shock," he said, "and +has evidently also taken a severe cold; but with care and nursing she +will in all probability soon get relief--that is, if the strain from +which she is suffering is taken off her mind." + +"Oh, I think I can manage that," answered Kitty, nodding to the doctor +in a very bright and frank way. Her dark-blue eyes were shining like +stars; the color in her cheeks, the set of her beautiful head on her +lovely neck, the very arrangement of her clothes fairly bewitched that +good man. He had seldom seen such sparkling eyes nor such a beautiful +dimpled mouth. Kitty's manner completely won Dr. Marchand over to her +side, as it had already done the good people at the hotel. + +After getting innumerable directions from the doctor, she went +downstairs to consult with her land lady. + +"Now, Mrs. Stacey," she said, "I must buy lots of things, and I wonder +if you can help me. I have telegraphed to father to come here; but until +he does I have only this much;" here she opened her purse and tumbled +the contents on to the landlady's palm. + +Mrs. Stacey started back in some astonishment. Really this was a very +fascinating young lady; but she had never met anybody quite so--so out +of the common. + +"You can reckon it up if you like," said Kitty; "you will see that it +does not come to two pounds. Now, do you know of a shop that would trust +me--give me credit, I mean--for some things?" + +"What sort of things, miss?" + +"Oh, clothes, and a couple of trunks. You see, we are not respectable +without trunks, are we?" + +"Oh, yes, Miss Malone, you are." + +"But do you know of such a shop? Please think very hard, Mrs. Stacey." + +"Williamson's round the corner will oblige you to any extent, miss, if +you mention my name." + +"Then I'll go there immediately. Thank you; how very nice you are!" said +Kitty. + +"Of course I ought not to be nice to you, miss, for it ain't right--no, +that it ain't--to encourage runaways." + +"When you know our story you will be quite glad you encouraged us," +laughed Kitty. + +"Then perhaps you'll confide in me, miss." + +Kitty colored and thought for a moment. + +"I think father must know it first," she said. "And now I must rush +away to get the things that poor Elma requires." + +During the course of that day it could scarcely be said that Kitty +Malone was without luggage; for two new trunks presently made their +appearance, full to the brim with all sorts of dainty clothing both for +Elma and herself. + +"Elma," she cried, dancing into the sick-room, "I have got two of the +most charming hats you ever laid eyes on. Mine is sweetly becoming to +me, and I am sure yours will suit you equally well; they are both big +white leghorns, with great bunches of black feathers in front. Won't +they look sweet with our new muslin dresses? Mine is pink, but I thought +blue would suit you best. I expect dad to-morrow evening at the latest; +and I am going to meet him at the station in my new hat and dress. There +will be no doubt about his forgiving me when he sees me in them." + +Just then there was a tap at the door, and Kitty, rushing to open it, +found a telegram awaiting her. She tore it open and read the following +words: + +"Starting from Dublin by the night-boat, with you to-morrow.--DENNIS +MALONE." + +"There, didn't I say he was a darling--the best, best darling in the +world?" cried the excited girl. "Oh, won't he have a _caed mille +afaltha;_ won't he? Elma, I am almost beside myself." + +"I don't know what you are talking about," said Elma. "What do you mean +by those queer words?" + +"_Caed mille afaltha_? Oh, they are the Irish for a hundred thousand +welcomes. We put them over our arches and everything when people are +coming home. Oh, they don't speak a half nor a quarter of what our +hearts are full of. Oh father, father, the joy--the joy your poor little +Kitty feels at the thought of seeing your darling face again!" + +That night again Kitty lay awake, although Elma slept. Strange thoughts, +strange and new, were coursing through the young girl's brain. +Everything had been a failure, and yet she felt bright and happy and +like her old self once more. + +"It is the thought of seeing father," she said to herself. "I was never +fit for England. England and its ways will never suit me, never, never; +but when I see father I shall be all right. Oh, to think that he is +really coming, and that Laurie is saved! I must, of course, tell father +everything; but he won't be angry with Laurie when I tell him the story +in my own way." + +Accordingly early the next morning Kitty dressed herself in the +fascinating leghorn hat and slipped on the pink muslin dress, and, with +a bunch of roses at her belt, sallied forth to the railway station. She +soon found the right platform, and paced up and down in a fever of +impatience waiting for the train. As she was doing so, flaunting her +pretty little person in a somewhat aggressive way and causing some +prim-looking ladies to gaze at her with anything but approval, a hand +was laid on her arm, and turning she saw, to her amazement, the +extremely indignant faces of Miss Sherrard and Miss Worrick. + +"Well, Kitty, after this!" said Miss Sherrard, + +"Oh, please don't scold me just now!" said Kitty, with a little gasp; +"wait until he comes." + +"Until who comes?" + +"Father. I am expecting him by this train." + +"I am relieved at that," said Miss Sherrard. "I shall have a painful +tale to tell him." + +"So you may, Miss Sherrard. You may tell him everything; but please let +me tell him my story first. You must, you shall; I insist." + +The girl's eyes were flashing; she was trembling all over. Just when her +happiness seemed to be at its height, for Miss Sherrard and Miss Worrick +to appear! + +"Oh, and there's the train!" she cried. "He will be here in a minute; +let me see him first. Oh, the train, is stopping, and there he is; I see +him at the very end; there he is with his white hair and--let me go, let +me go!" + +She rushed from Miss Sherrard's retaining arm and flew up the platform, +and a moment later the owner of the pink dress and leghorn hat was being +clasped tightly, tightly to the breast of the magnificent-looking old +gentleman, almost a king in his way, who had suddenly stepped on to the +platform. + +"Father, you'll protect me--they have come, they have followed me. You +will let me tell you my story first? Father! father! oh, feel how my +heart is beating!" + +"Why, Kitty, asthore; Kitty, Kitty, my own. What is it, Kit? I say, Kit, +what is wrong?" + +"Nothing, nothing now that you have come; but let me tell you my story +first." + +"Your story first--why, of course, Kit." + +"They are there; speak to them; tell them you will see them afterward. +We are staying at the Sign of the Red Doe; tell them that you will see +me first and then you will see them." + +"Introduce me to them, Kitty, and calm yourself. Come, Kitty, come." + +"Yes, father, yes; it is all right." + +Kitty's terrible excitement subsided; leaning on her father's arm, she +approached the platform where Miss Sherrard and Miss Worrick, both +looking rather confused, were standing. + +"This is my father, Miss Sherrard," said Kitty, introducing Dennis +Malone, who took off his hat with a grand sweep. + +"I am relieved to see you," began Miss Sherrard. + +"Pardon me one moment, madam," said Malone; "but Kitty here would like +to tell me her story first. You are her school-mistress, the lady with +whom I have had the pleasure of corresponding?" + +"I am, and I have a very, very painful tale to tell you." + +"You shall tell me your story afterward." + +Here the owner of Castle Malone caught sight of Miss Worrick, and gave +her a bow even more deferential than he had bestowed upon the +head-mistress. + +"I am sorry to put you off even for a few moments, ladies," he said; +"but you see this little girl, she--she must come first. However badly +she has behaved, she--she is my only girl, you understand, and I--I must +hear her story first. Will you meet us both within an hour at the Sign +of the Red Doe? Then everything can be explained." + +"I wonder if that dreadful girl is to go unpunished in the end," said +Miss Worrick to Miss Sherrard, as they both slowly went to the nearest +hotel to wait until the time arranged to meet Kitty and her father at +the Sign of the Red Doe." + +"It seems like it," said Miss Sherrard. "But what a splendid old man! +Perhaps after all it may be the best thing for Kitty Malone not to +punish her, Miss Worrick." + +"Oh, Miss Sherrard! I cannot approve of your very lax opinions. Surely +punishment for such terrible wrong-doing--" + +"Yes, she behaved badly, but not so badly as Elma, I think we must wait +to hear the whole story explained; at present we are more or less in the +dark." + +"And now, Kit, what is it?" said the squire, when he and his daughter +were ensconced in the little sitting-room at the Sign of the Red Doe. + +"Do you mind if I give you one of my real big hugs first?" said Kitty. + +"To be sure not, alanna--oh, acushla macree! it is like flowers in May +to see you again." + +"There! I am better now," said Kitty, after she had bestowed one of her +most violent hugs upon her father. "Let me sit on your knee and I will +tell you everything." + +At the best it was a sad story, a story full of wrong-doing, full of +impulse, full of passion; and although Kitty tried hard to make Elma's +part of it as light as possible, the squire's eyes blazed and a +thundering note came into his voice as he listened. + +"That's a bad girl, Kitty," he cried; "and you ought to have nothing to +do with her." + +"But that's exactly it, father--that's what I am coming to. If you +won't let me have anything to do with Elma, why--why, you must punish me +terribly. I want you to let me--to let me make Elma my real friend." + +"That sort of girl your friend? Not if I know it," said the squire. + +"But, please, father, do let me plead for her. I have done her injury, +and she--she has never had advantages like the rest of us." + +Then Kitty began to coax, and few, very few people could coax like this +Irish girl. Not only with her voice, but with her eyes, with a smile +here and a frown there, she set herself to bring old Squire Malone to +her way of thinking. And as always from the time she was a tiny child +she had been able to twist this old lion round her little finger, so she +twisted him now. + +"You have got to do it, father," she said at last. "You have got to +forgive Laurie, and you have got to forgive Elma, and----" + +"Bless the boy, it was just like his recklessness, Why didn't he come +and tell me? He wasn't afraid of his old father, was he?" + +"Well, father, you know you are very fierce when you like." + +"Tut! tut! Kitty, don't you begin to scold." + +"No; I won't--not if you yield to me. Full and free forgiveness for the +whole three of us; for your Kit----" + +"Bless you, child, I have forgiven you already." + +"Ay, didn't I know it--didn't I say he was a dear old thing? Now, +Laurie--you won't say a word to him?" + +"I'll give him a right good scolding." + +"Why, then, dad, your scolding never did anybody any harm; your bark is +worse than your bite, you know; but there will be no school in England +for him, that's what I mean." + +"Well, it doesn't seem to have succeeded with you, asthore." + +"No more it did. Why, it was breaking the heart in me entirely." + +"So you want to come back with me again?" + +"That I do, and never, never be a polished lady with manners to the +longest day of my life." + +"You want to be Wild Kitty still?" + +"Wild, wild, the wildest of Kittys to the end of the chapter." + +"And what will your aunts say?" + +"Never mind; what you say is the important thing." + +"It shall be as you please, Kit. I am sure I have missed you sore, very +sore." + +"And now, what about Elma?" + +"Yes; what do you want me to do for her?" + +"I want her to come back with me to Castle Malone for the rest of the +summer." + +"Oh, heart alive! child; but I don't think I could take to that sort of +girl." + +"Yes, you will, if I take to her. Now, dad, must I begin it all over +again?" + +"No, no; anything to please you, Kit." + +"And at the end of the summer, as you have plenty of money, and as I am +sure she has repented most bitterly will you send her to Girton?" + +"Oh, come, come; I make no promises." + +"But I know it is all right, and I am going to rush up to her and tell +her everything. Oh, and here come Miss Sherrard and Miss Worrick. You +shall see them without me." + +"I declare, upon my word, Kitty, you are the most extraordinary +creature. How am I to face the good ladies?" + +"Here they are, father. Please, Miss Sherrard, come in; father will see +you, and Miss Worrick too." + +Kitty flung open the door, and the head-mistress of Middleton School and +her subordinate found it closed behind them. They had a short interview +with Squire Malone--very short. It ended by Miss Sherrard and the squire +shaking hands most heartily. + +"You did your best for her, and I am awfully obliged to you," said the +squire. "But, after all, she is too wild for England; she had better +stay in her own land." + +"I believe you are right," said Miss Sherrard. + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, WILD KITTY *** + +This file should be named 7wldk10.txt or 7wldk10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, 7wldk11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, 7wldk10a.txt + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Wild Kitty + +Author: L. T. Meade + +Release Date: February, 2006 [EBook #9986] +[This file was first posted on November 5, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, WILD KITTY *** + + + + +E-text prepared by Kevin Handy, Dave Maddock, and the Project Gutenberg +Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + + + + + +WILD KITTY. + +BY L. T. MEADE + + + + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER I. Bessie, Alice, Gwin, and Elma + +CHAPTER II. The Blarney Stone + +CHAPTER III. Is that the Girl? + +CHAPTER IV. Tiffs all Round + +CHAPTER V. Incorrigible Kitty + +CHAPTER VI. The Tug-of-War + +CHAPTER VII. Elma + +CHAPTER VIII. The Little House in Constantine Road + +CHAPTER IX. The Head Mistress and the Cabbage-Rose + +CHAPTER X. Paddy Wheel-About + +CHAPTER XI. In Carrie's Bedroom + +CHAPTER XII. The "Spotted Leopard" + +CHAPTER XIII. Coventry + +CHAPTER XIV. The Lost Packet + +CHAPTER XV. Gwin Harley's Scheme + +CHAPTER XVI. Paddy Wheel-About's Old Coat + +CHAPTER XVII. "We Are Both in the Same Boat" + +CHAPTER XVIII. "I Cannot Help You" + +CHAPTER XIX. Kitty Tells the Truth + +CHAPTER XX. An Eye-Opener + +CHAPTER XXI. The Lady from Buckinghamshire + +CHAPTER XXII. Stunned and Cold + +CHAPTER XXIII. Stars and Moon, and God Behind + +CHAPTER XXIV. Sunshine Again + +CHAPTER XXV. Kitty "Go-Bragh" (Forever) + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +BESSIE, ALICE, GWIN, ELMA. + + +Bessie! Bessie! + +"Yes, mother," replied Bessie Challoner. "You'll be late for school, +child, if you are not quick." + +"Bessie!" shouted her father at the top of his voice from below stairs. +"Bessie; late as usual." + +"I am really going, father; I am just ready," was the eager reply. +Bessie caught up her sailor hat, shoved it carelessly over her mass of +thick hair, and searched frantically round her untidy bedroom for the +string bag which contained her schoolbooks. + +"Oh, Bessie, you'll get into a scrape," said Judy, one of her younger +sisters, dancing into the room. "Why, you are late. I hear the +schoolbell ringing; it will stop in a moment." + +"Don't worry me, Judy," cried Bessie. "Do you know where my bag is?" + +Judy ran into the middle of the room, turned round, and began to laugh +ecstatically. "Do you know where it is, you little good-for-nothing? +Have you put it hiding?" + +"Yes, yes, yes," screamed the child, jumping up and down in her joy. + +"Then, if you don't give it to me at once, I'll--" + +But Judy had dodged her and was out of the room. Up to the attic flew +the child, and after her dashed Bessie. The bag was found in the corner +of the linen-cupboard. Bessie aimed a frenzied blow at Judy, who once +again dodged her, then the schoolgirl ran downstairs and was out of the +house. + +"Bessie, for shame!" said her brother, who was standing smoking his +cigarette in a very lazy manner in the garden. "Why, you'll never get +full marks." + +"Don't," said Bessie. "I feel quite hunted between you all." + +She had got on the highroad now, and could walk away in peace. She was a +tall girl, somewhat bony-looking at present, with a face which showed +abundance of intellect, large dreamy eyes, a wide mouth, a flat nose, a +long chin. Bessie was certainly not at all a pretty girl; but, +notwithstanding this fact, there were few of all the pupils at Middleton +School who approached her in popularity. She was clever without being a +scrap conceited, and was extremely good-natured, doing her work for the +pleasure of doing it and not because she wanted to outstrip a +schoolfellow. She was conscientious too, and would have scorned to do a +mean or shabby thing; but she was hopelessly untidy, careless to a +fault, late for school half her days, getting into countless scrapes and +getting out of them as best she could--the butt of her class as well as +the favorite, always true to herself and indifferent to the censures or +the praise of her fellow-creatures. + +"Well, Bess, is that you? Do wait for me," called out a panting voice +in the distance. + +Late as she was, Bessie stopped. It was never her way to leave a +fellow-creature in the lurch. + +A girl with dancing eyes and rosy cheeks came panting and puffing round +the corner. + +"I just caught a sight of the red ribbon with which you tie your hair," +she said. "I am so glad you are late; I am too, and I am quite ashamed +of myself." + +"Why in the world should you be ashamed of yourself, Alice?" asked +Bessie. "I don't suppose you meant to be late." + +"Of course not; but I shall lose my mark for punctuality; and you know, +Bessie, I am feverishly anxious to get a move, and to--to win the +scholarship at the midsummer break-up." + +Bessie yawned slightly. + +"Come on, Alice," she said; "I am disgracefully late as usual, and we +need not make matters worse. I suppose we must wait in the hall now +until prayers are over." + +"It's too bad," said Alice. "I'll tell you afterward how it happened, +Bessie. I am glad you waited for me. They always scold you so much for +being late that they will not take so much notice of me. May I slip into +my place in form behind you?" + +"If you like," said, Bessie. + +They entered the great schoolhouse, turned down a long corridor, +deposited their hats and jackets on the pegs provided for the purpose, +and went into the schoolroom just when the pupils were filing into their +different classes. + +Both girls had marks against their names for unpunctuality. Alice +frowned and fidgeted, turned scarlet, glanced nervously at her +fellow-pupils, but Bessie took the matter with her wonted calm. Soon she +forgot all about it. She became absorbed in her different studies, each +one of which she had prepared with extreme attention. As she answered +question after question her great, full, dreamy eyes seemed to lighten +with hidden fire, her face lost its plainness, the intellect in it +transformed it. One or two other girls in the class watched her with a +slight degree of envy. + +Bessie was very high up in the school. As usual she quickly rose to the +head of the form; this position she kept without the slightest +difficulty during lesson after lesson. + +Alice, muddled already by that mark for unpunctuality, got through her +work badly; as Bessie rose in the class Alice went down. At the end of +the morning's work the two girls were far as the poles asunder. + +"I can't think how you do it," said Alice, coming up to Bessie during +recess, and linking her hand through her arm. "You never seem to mind +disgrace at all." + +"Of course I mind disgrace," answered Bessie. "Come out into the +playground, won't you Alice? We can't talk in here." + +They went out and began pacing up and down the wide quadrangle devoted +to the purpose. Other girls passed them two and two, each girl talking +to her special companion. + +"How very handsome Gwin Harley looks this morning," said Alice, pausing +in her grumbling to gaze at a slender and lovely girl who passed them, +walking with another dark-eyed, somewhat plain girl of the name of Elma +Lewis. + +"I wish she was not such friends with Elma," said Bessie. "I like Gwin +very much indeed; I suppose every one in the school does." + +"Catch Elma not making up to her," said Alice. "Why, you know Gwin is as +rich as ever she can be; she has a pony-carriage of her own. I cannot +make out why she comes to Middleton School." + +"Because it is the best school in the neighborhood," said Bessie +somewhat proudly. "It is not a question of money, nor of anything but +simply of learning; we learn better at Middleton School than anywhere +else; there are better teachers and--" + +"But such a rum lot of girls," said Alice. "Of course we all go in sets, +and our set is quite the nicest in the school; but all the same, I +wonder a rich man like Mr. Harley allows Gwin to come here." + +Gwin and Elma drew up at that moment in front of the other two. + +"Bessie," said Gwin, "I saw you carrying everything before you this +morning. But," she added hastily, "that is neither here nor there. I +shall never be a great learned genius like you, but I shall admire +geniuses all the same. Now, I want to say that Elma is coming to tea +with me this afternoon, and will you both come as well? We have a good +deal to talk over." + +Bessie's face lightened. + +"I should like it very much indeed," she said; "but you know I must get +through my studies first." + +"Oh, you won't take long over them." + +"Yes, but I shall," answered Bessie; "there is a very stiff piece of +German to translate this afternoon. I can manage French and mathematics +of course, and--" + +"Oh, don't begin to rehearse your different studies," said Gwin, holding +up her hand in a warning attitude. "I don't care in the least what you +learn, Bessie; I want you to come. Because," she added, "you are such an +honest creature." + +"Why should not I be honest?" said Bessie, opening her eyes wide. "I +have never had any temptation to be anything else." + +"My dear Bessie, you are too painfully matter-of-fact," said Elma. "Gwin +meant that your nature is transparent--it is a beautiful trait in any +character." + +"Well, Bessie, will you come or will you not?" interrupted Gwin. + +"Yes, I'll come. I'll manage it somehow," said Bessie. I can't resist +the temptation." + +"And you too, Alice?" said Gwin, turning to Alice Denvers, who was +watching Bessie with envious eyes. + +"I don't suppose mother will let me. I am ever so vexed," said Alice. + +"But why not, dear; you have nothing special to do to-day?" + +"Well, I had a bad mark for unpunctuality, and--" + +"What does that signify?" + +"But listen; I have gone down several places in class. Father and mother +are so particular; they seem to think my whole future life depends upon +my position in school. Of course I know we are not very rich, like +you--" Here she flushed and hesitated. + +Gwin Harley flushed also. + +"When you talk like that," she said, "I feel quite ashamed of being well +off. I often long to be poor like--like dear little Elma here." As she +spoke she patted her somewhat squat little companion on her arm. "But +never mind, girls; I am not one of those who intend to throw away all my +money; that is one reason why I want to have a good talk this afternoon. +You must come, Alice; you simply must." + +"But there is another reason," said Alice. "Kitty Malone is coming +to-day." + +"Kitty Malone! Who in the name of fortune is she?" + +"Oh, a wild Irish girl." + +"Truly wild, I should think, with that name. 'Kitty Malone, ohone!' I +seem to hear the refrain somewhere now. Isn't there a song called 'Kitty +Malone'?" + +"There is a song called 'The Widow Malone,'" said Bessie; "don't you +know it? You read all about it in 'Harry Lorrequer.'" + +"But who is Kitty Malone, Alice?" + +"I say a wild Irish girl." + +"And what has she got to do with you?" + +"She is coming to board with us. She is going to join the school, and +mother is to have the charge of her. A precious bore I shall find it." + +"When did you say she was coming?" asked Gwin eagerly. + +"I expect she is at home by now; she was to arrive this morning." + +"Delightful!" said Gwin, clapping her hands, "she shall come too. I want +beyond anything to become acquainted with a real aborigine, and of +course any girl called Kitty Malone hailing from the sister-isle must +belong to that species. Bring the wild Irish girl with you by all means, +Alice; and now, as you have no manner of excuse, I'll say ta-ta for the +present." She kissed her pretty hand lightly to the two girls, and went +on her way, once more accompanied by her faithful satellite, Elma. + +"Isn't she fascinating?" said Alice; "aren't you quite in love with her, +Bessie?" + +"Dear me, no," answered Bessie Challoner. "I never fall in love in that +sort of headlong fashion; but all the same," she added, "I admire Gwin +very much, only I do wish she would not take up with Elma." + +"So do I," said Alice. + +"It was very kind of her to ask us," continued Bessie, "and I for one +shall be delighted to go. I have not the least doubt that in a big house +of that sort they have 'Household Encyclopędia,' and I want to look up +the article on magnetic iron ore." + +"Oh, what in the world for?" cried Alice. + +"I am interested in magnets, and--but there, Alice why should I worry +you with the sort of things that delight me. I am going, and that is all +right. You will be sure to come too; won't you Alice?" + +"Yes, I must manage it somehow; and as Gwin has asked Kitty Malone it +won't make it quite so difficult. I know mother would not let me leave +Kitty this afternoon, for it is, from the money point of view, a great +thing for us her coming. Her people are quite well off, although they +are Irish. They live in an old castle on the coast of Donegal, and Kitty +has never been out of the country in which she was born. They are paying +mother very well to receive her, and mother is ever so pleased. Of +course it's horrid for me for she will be my companion morning, noon, +and night; we are even to sleep in the same room. It was that that made +me late for school this morning, and got me that horrid, horrid mark for +unpunctuality." + +"But why? I don't understand," said Bessie. + +"Well, you see, I put it off until the last minute. I know it was all my +fault; but I would not empty the cupboard in the corner of the room, +although mother told me to do so at intervals for the past week. Well, +mother came in this morning and found it choke full--you know the sort +of thing, full to bursting, so that the door wouldn't shut--and she said +that I should empty it before I went to school. I told her I should be +late, and mother said it was a just punishment for me. Didn't I bless +Kitty Malone! But of course I set to work, and I scrambled out the +things somehow. Of course I am in hot water, and father is so terribly +particular; but I will try and come. Yes, I'll try and come, and I'll +bring Kitty." + +"Very well; if you are going we may as well go together," said Bessie. +"Gwin never mentioned the hour she had tea; but I suppose if we are at +Harley Grove by five o'clock it will do." + +"Yes, I should think so," said Alice in a dubious voice. "It is a pity +she did not mention the hour. There she is still hobnobbing with Elma. +I'll just run across the quadrangle and ask her." + +Alice left her companion, obtained the necessary information from Gwin, +and came back again. "She says if we are with her sharp at five it will +do quite well, and we are to stay until nine o'clock, then we can all go +home together." + +"Delicious!" said Bessie. "I love being out late. I hope there will be a +moon, and that there won't be many clouds in the sky, for I want to +examine the position of some of the planets. Did I tell you, Alice, that +Uncle John has a telescope through which I can see the asteroids?" + +"What on earth are they?" cried Alice, yawning as she spoke. + +"Oh, the very small planets." + +"Then, my dear, I hope you will see them. But really, Bessie, I can't +run round nature as you do--your intellect is quite overpowering; one +moment you want to get up information with regard to magnetic iron ore, +and the next you confound me with some awful observation about +asteroids. Good-by, Bessie; good-by. I shall be late for dinner, and +then no chance of going to the fair Gwin's this afternoon." + +"Well, if you do go, call for me," shouted Bessie after her; "I'll wait +for you until half-past four, then I'll start off by myself." + +"Yes, yes, I'll come if I can, and bring Kitty also if I can." + +"Be sure you don't fail. I'll look out for you." + +Alice put wings to her feet and set off running down the dusty road, and +Bessie more soberly returned home. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +THE BLARNEY STONE. + + +Alice's home was nearly half a mile from the school. It was a big, +commonplace suburban house standing at a corner. It had a small garden +in front and a larger one at the back; but neither at front nor back +were the gardens tidily kept. They were downtrodden by the constant +pressure of many feet, and were further ornamented at intervals by sheds +and kennels, for Fred and Philip Denvers were devoted to all sorts of +pets; there was also a rabbit-run at one end, and a little railed-off +place where Mrs. Denvers tried to keep fowls. + +Alice at intervals had sighed for a tennis lawn; but whenever she dared +to mention the idea she was hooted by her big brothers, who did not want +the garden to be made in the least bit, as they expressed it, +ornamental. + +"But tennis isn't ornamental!" said Alice. + +"Beastly game," remarked Fred. "Only meant for girls; just to give them +an opportunity of hobnobbing together, and talking gossip, and making up +mischief." + +"You talk in the most ridiculous, unfair way," said Alice in +indignation; but she did not dare to mention the subject of the tennis +court again, and the boys still continued to build fresh sheds and +introduce new animals. + +On this occasion, as Alice walked up to the house, she was met by Fred, +who ran out to meet her in some excitement. + +"I say, Alice," he cried, "she's come, and she is a rum 'un!" + +"Who has come?" asked Alice; "not--not Kitty Malone?" + +"No one else, at your service, Kitty Malone, ohone!" cried Fred. "And +oh! isn't she Irish! You come along and see her. I never saw anything +like her before." + +"Why, Fred, I didn't think you cared for girls." + +"Nor do I as a rule, but this one--oh! I say she is a jolly sort. Why +she's been down in the kitchen and up in the attics--she knows every one +in the house already; and do you know what she is doing now--sitting in +the drawing-room with the window wide open, grinning down at you, and +she has got Pointer in her arms. You know Pointer, dirty old +fellow!--well, she caught him up the moment she came in, and insisted on +bringing him upstairs, and he has taken to her as if he had known her +ever since he was a puppy. Mean of him, isn't it; but I declare I don't +blame him. Oh! there you are, Kitty Malone." Fred raised his laughing +face to encounter another as laughing, a face at that moment grinning +from ear to ear. + +"Are you Alice?" called a voice. "Are you the one I am to sleep with? +Just say, call out loud; don't mind if you shout, because I'm accustomed +to that sort of thing." + +"Is this Kitty Malone?" thought Alice. She liked frank, jolly girls; +but she was not quite prepared for Kitty. + +She entered the house, flung down her bag of books, and ran upstairs to +the drawing-room. The next moment she found herself in the firm embrace +of a girl a little taller than herself, a slim, very pretty, very +untidy, very overdressed girl. + +"Here I am and welcome to yourself," said Kitty. "I was so vexed you +were not here to greet me; but bless you, my dear, I'm quite +comfortable. No, I'm not a bit tired--you haven't asked me, by the way, +but I suppose you mean to. I had a spiffin' journey. Sick! not I. I'm +never seasick, and I enjoyed the train. I made friends with such a dear +old gentleman and with two boys. I nearly kissed the boys when I was +leaving them, but I didn't quite. Is that you, Fred? Come along in now +and let us be jolly together. Why, Alice, how stiff you are; you have +not opened your lips yet." + +"I have not had an opportunity," answered Alice. "You do talk such a +lot, Kitty." + +"Do I? I expect we all do in Old Ireland. Bless her! she's a dear old +country, and I'm as sorry as anybody to say good-by to her. But, all the +same, I am glad to see England (poky, stiff sort of place it seems). Say +now, Alice, do you like my dress? It was made in Dublin; it's the height +of the fashion I am told." + +"It's very showy," said Alice. + +"Do you think so? Well, you are plainly dressed; nothing but that brown +merino. And--my dear, I thought they were always dressed up to the nines +near London. This place is near London, isn't it?" + +"Yes, a few miles off. Oh, of course your dress is very nice; but now I +must get ready for dinner." + +"Oh! and ain't I peckish?" said Kitty, clapping her hands and winking +broadly at Fred. + +Alice turned to leave the room. + +"We may as well go together," said Kitty, following her and slipping her +hand through her arm. "Do you know," she said, "when I first came to the +house I could scarcely breathe. Why, it's nothing but a nutshell. I +never saw such a deeny dawn of a place in the whole course of my life. +How many of you live here?" + +"Father and mother, and the two boys and I," answered Alice. + +"And you are the only girl?" + +"Yes." + +"Now come to the window and let me have a good squint at you." As Kitty +spoke she dragged Alice forward, put her facing the light, and stood +herself with her back to it. She began to make a careful scrutiny, +calling out her remarks aloud: "Eyes passable, forehead so-so, mouth +pretty well, complexion not bad for England, hair--" + +"Oh, I say, Kitty, I can't quite stand this," said Alice. "Are those +your manners in Ireland? What a wild country it must be!" + +"Dear, darling, jolly old place!" said Kitty, dancing up and down. + +"And you really give me to understand that people make remarks on one +another in that sort of fashion?" said Alice, darting away from her +companion and pouring some water into a basin to wash her hands. + +"Well, yes, love, they do when they like, and they don't when they +don't like. We are free and easy folk, I can tell you, and we have a gay +time. I'll tell you all about father and the old castle, and the dogs, +and the cows, and the cats, and the rabbits, and the mice when we have a +spare moment. That brother of yours, Fred, is not half a bad old chap; +and I saw a nice, curly-headed little gossoon coming in just now with +his books under his arm. What's his name?" + +"Oh, you mean Philip. Yes, he's the youngest; he's well enough if you +don't spoil him, Kitty." + +"I won't spoil him, bless his heart," said Kitty; "but of course I'll +make friends with him. I couldn't live without boys. There are two at +home, Pat and Laurence; and, oh! I shall miss Laurie, dear old chap! I +must not think of him." Kitty's face underwent a swift change, the +brightness went out of it just as if a heavy cloud had swept away the +sun; the big, very handsome dark-blue eyes, so dark as to be almost +black, grew full of sudden tears; the exquisitely curved lips trembled; +she turned her head aside and looked out of the window. + +At that moment it seemed to Alice that she saw beneath Kitty's wild, +eccentric manners a heart of gold. She only caught a glimpse of it, for +the next moment the girl was chatting away in the most light, frivolous, +extraordinary style. The dinner-bell sounded through the house, and the +pair went down to dinner. + +"I'd like to sit near you, please, Mr. Denvers," said Kitty. + +Philip's place was always near his father; this had been a custom ever +since he had been a baby. Kitty now ensconced herself in the little +boy's chair. + +"Am I taking anybody's seat?" she asked, looking up. + +"Only mine," said Phil. + +"Never mind, little gossoon; you shall have it to-morrow. I want to sit +near Mr. Denvers because I expect he can tell me a good many things I +don't understand." + +"You must allow me to eat my dinner, Miss Malone. You see I have a good +deal of carving to do, and besides I am a busy man," said Mr. Denvers in +a good-humored voice, for it was difficult to resist the roguish glances +of Kitty's eyes, and the sort of affectionate way in which she cuddled +up to her host's side. + +"Oh, I won't talk _over_ much," she said, glancing with her flashing +eyes round at the entire party. "But you see I am quite a stranger; and, +oh my! the place does seem lonely. You are all so stiff, I cannot quite +understand it. Is it the English fashion, please, Mr. Denvers?" + +"Well, you see," answered Mrs. Denvers from the other end of the table, +"we don't know you yet." + +"But I am sure all the same we shall be very good friends," said Mr. +Denvers. "May I give you a glass of wine?" + +"Wine! Bless you, I'm a teetotaller," said Kitty. "Why, it isn't habits +of intoxication you'll be putting into me. I never take anything but +water, or milk when I can get it; and it isn't Miss Malone you're going +to call me is it, for if it is I tell you frankly that I'll die +entirely. I must be Kitty from this moment, or Kitty Malone, or anything +of that sort, but Kitty something it must be. Now, is it settled fair +and square, Kitty shall I be? Here's my hand on my heart; I'll die if +I'm called Miss Malone!" + +Fred burst into roars of laughter. + +"I say," he cried, "what an extraordinary girl you are!" + +"Well, and so are you an extraordinary boy," said Kitty. "Oh, dear me, I +am hungry! Do you mind handing me over the potatoes? Why, you don't mean +to say you peel 'em. I never heard of such a thing! Why don't you have +them in their jackets?" + +"Potatoes are generally mashed or peeled or something of that sort in +England," said Mr. Denvers. "I see, Kitty--" he added. + +"Ah! bless you now for calling me that! What is it you want to say, dear +Mr. Denvers?" + +"I see we shall have a good deal to teach you," he said, and then he too +burst into a fit of laughter, and so the merry, somewhat rollicking meal +proceeded. + +Alice alone would not succumb to the fascinations of the Irish maiden. +She sat holding herself somewhat stiff, feeling a good deal disgusted, +wondering what Bessie Challoner would say, what Gwin Harley would think, +anticipating in advance Elma's sneers. + +Kitty, however, subjugated Mr. and Mrs. Denvers and the two boys +completely. As to Pointer, he would not leave her side; as her long, +white, taper fingers touched the top of his grizzled head, he looked at +her with eyes of unutterable love. + +"What have you done to the dog?" said Fred at last. He felt almost +afraid, in his great admiration of the bewitching stranger. + +"Only given him a taste of blarney," was the reply. "Tell me now, Fred, +were you ever in Ireland?" + +"No," answered Fred. + +"Ah! I thought as much. If you had been, and if you had kissed the +Blarney Stone, why then, it's nothing could withstand you." + +"What is the Blarney Stone?" asked Fred. + +"Don't you know that much? Why you are an ignoramus out and out. Well, +I'll tell you. It's a stone on Blarney Castle, set low down in the wall, +five or six feet from the top; and to kiss it, why that is no easy +matter, for you have to be held by your heels and let hang over the +wall; and if you can get some one to hold you tight--very tight, +mind--you slide down and you reach the stone and you kiss it, and from +that moment--oh glory! but you carry everything before you. There's not +a man, a woman, nor a child, no, nor a beastie either, that can resist +you. You bewitch 'em." + +"I have no doubt, Kitty, you kissed the stone," said Mr. Denvers. + +"Why then, it's yes, sir," she answered raising her big eyes and then +dropping them again with an inimitable expression. + +"What a queer little girl you are!" he said. "You are very amusing; but +I think we must tame you a bit." + +"You won't do that, sir. They call me the wild Irish girl at home, and +the wild Irish girl I'll be to the end of the chapter. If it's schooling +I want, why, I'll have it, but taming, no thank you." + +Kitty jumped from her seat and began to dance a sort of improvised Irish +jig about the room. + +"Do you know the jig?" she said, dancing up to Fred as she spoke. + +"No," he answered; "are you trying it on now?" + +"Yes; jump up, my hearty, and I'll teach you in a twinkling. Here, watch +me; point your toes so, turn round--pirouette as we call it. Now, then, +put your hand on your hip, courtesy to me, and come back again. That's +how it's done. Oh, Fred, I'll soon have you as beautiful a broth of a +boy as if you were born in Old Ireland." + +"Fred, my son, it is time for you to go back to college," said his +father. "Kitty, we are very pleased to have you here, and you are a very +amusing girl; but you know life is not all play." + +Kitty pulled a long face. Fred darted a laughing glance at her, and ran +off. Kitty and Alice at last found themselves alone. + +"You're disapproving of me a good bit, aren't you, Alice?" said Kitty, +going up to the other girl and taking both her hands in hers. + +"Well, I think you are very odd," said Alice. + +"And do you want me to be quite sober and tame, and to have all the +spirit knocked out me, alanna?" + +"No; but we don't do exactly as you do in this country." + +"And you think you'll tame me into your cut-and-dry pattern?" + +"I don't know about that. I don't understand you, Kitty." + +"You will after a bit, Alice. It's here I am for sure, and a gray sort +of land it is! Why, the sun doesn't even shine!" + +"Oh, doesn't it," said Alice angrily. "It's ridiculous to talk in that +strain about this country. We have much finer weather than you have in +Ireland." + +"Don't be cross, darling; I mean it metaphorically. You see we live a +gay life over there, we have a joke about everything, and the wit that +runs out of our mouths--why, it's like flashes of lightning. Oh, we have +a good time in the old country, and when you come and stay with me at +Castle Malone you'll say so for yourself. Now, then, what do you want to +do this afternoon?" + +"I must look over my lessons first." + +"Lessons--how many?" + +"A good few. You see of course I want to get on." + +"By the way, Alice," said Mrs. Denvers, who came into the room at that +moment, "I am afraid you had a bad mark for unpunctuality this morning." + +"Yes, mother, that is so." + +"And what is your place in form?" + +"I went down two or three places, mother." + +"I am sorry to hear it; your father will be very much annoyed." + +"I'll try and make up for it to-morrow, mother. And, mother, Gwin Harley +has asked me to go to tea with her this afternoon--may I?" + +"I don't see how you can. There is Kitty Malone." + +"But she has asked Kitty too." + +"What's that?" asked Kitty, bounding forward. "A tea party, bless you?" + +"You have been asked to tea at Harley Grove. Mother, may we go? I think +Kitty would enjoy it." + +"If you are sure you are not too tired, Kitty; you have had a long +journey," said Mrs. Denvers. + +"I'm not a scrap tired," said Kitty. "I'm as gay as a lark and as fresh +as a daisy. I hope it's rather a big swell party, for I have got some +awfully pretty dresses. I want to make myself look smart. You can tell +me how they manage these sort of things in England. I'm all agog to go." + +"Yes, Alice, you may go," said Mrs. Denvers. "But Kitty, my dear, if I +were you I would let them down lightly." + +"What do you mean, dear Mrs. Denvers?" + +"Don't startle them too much. They are not accustomed to such--such +frankness as you are disposed to give." + +"I'll bewitch 'em," said Kitty, beginning again to dance with light +fantastic measure up and down the room. "I'll bewitch 'em one and all. I +have made up my mind. I didn't kiss the Blarney Stone for nothing!" + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +IS THAT THE GIRL? + + +Kitty and Alice went up to their bedroom, where Kitty began to unpack +her trunks and toss her dresses about--they were all new and most of +them were gay. She had scarcely a quiet-looking dress in the entire +collection. + +"What will you do with those?" said Alice, who saw nothing to admire in +the fantastic clothes, and much to condemn. Alice had not the smallest +love for dress, and at this period of her life she considered any pains +taken over clothes a sheer waste of time. + +"But don't you like them?" said Kitty. "I thought girls loved pretty +dress. Aunt Honora says so, and so did Aunt Bridget when she came to see +us at Castle Malone a month ago. When she heard I was going to England +she said: 'Why, then, my dear Kitty, you must titivate up. It will never +do for them to see you not looking as bright as a sunbeam and as gay as +a cricket. It's colors you'll want, Kitty, and rich materials, and +spangles, and jewels, and beads, and all the other fal-lals.' And father +said to Aunt Bridget: + +"'Why then, now, Biddy,' said he, 'you just get what's right for the +child, for she hasn't a notion, and no more have I, what's worn in that +foreign place England.' + +"So Aunt Bridget said: 'A wink's as good as a word,' and I'll dress her +up in dashing style!' So she took the measure of my chest, and the round +of my waist, and the length of my skirt, and she saw how many inches I +wanted in the sleeve, and she said: 'You leave the rest to me, Kitty.' +And of course I did, and in three weeks' time down came a trunk that +would make your eyes shine even to look within it. Oh! wasn't it just +the darling entirely! Here's one of the dresses. Now, what do you think +of that?" + +As Kitty spoke she pulled out a pink nun's-veiling, made up with +innumerable ruffles and frills and laces and embroidery, a really very +pretty dress for quite a gay party, but totally unsuitable for a +schoolgirl of Kitty Malone's age. + +"Why, it's a long dress?" said Alice. "How old are you, Kitty?" + +"It's fifteen I'll be my next birthday, darling. Well, and is there +anything wrong about fifteen? I always thought it was a jewel of an +age." + +"Yes, but this dress is long; why, there's a train to it!" + +"Oh, mercy me! so there is," said Kitty. "To tell you the truth, I never +even tried on the skirt, I was so bamboozled and overexcited with the +others. A train to be sure! Oh, won't I bewitch 'em entirely. Let me try +it on, darling. Have you got a long looking-glass anywhere?" + +"Not in this room," answered Alice; "it is not necessary." + +"Not necessary? Well, now, I should say it's the one thing you ought to +have in every room, a long looking-glass that you can see yourself in +from top to toe. Why, half your elegance is lost if you cannot see how +you look your own self. Is there one in any other room?" + +"In mother's dressing-room, I think." + +"And where's that room situated, my jewel?" asked Kitty. + +"Oh, at the other end of the passage; but really, Kitty--" + +Kitty, however, was off. Alice stayed in her room, too disgusted to +follow her. + +"Something must be done to put a stop to this," she thought. "Of course, +mother won't keep a girl of that sort. Why, she's a regular wild Indian; +I shall be ashamed to take her out this afternoon." + +But at that moment a high voice, accompanied by peals of laughter, was +heard shouting for Alice. + +"Alice, mavourneen, come along this minute! Alice, come quick! quick! +Why, it's enthralling I am! You never saw anything like me before, did +you? Oh, the Blarney Stone, what it has done for me. Come, Alice, come, +come quick!" + +"What can be the matter?" called Mrs. Denvers from downstairs. "Has +anything happened?" + +"Oh, it's only me, dear Mrs. Denvers. Do come up this minute, my dear +ducky woman, and see me. I found a dress with a train to it in my trunk, +a new dress from Dublin, and I'm in it, and beautiful I look. Come up +and see me. I'm gazing at myself in your glass. I never saw anything so +lovely in the whole course of my life." + +Mrs. Denvers and Alice now both appeared upon the scene. Kitty in her +new dress, with a train nearly a foot on the ground, was stepping +backward and forward before the long glass in Mrs. Denvers' wardrobe. +Her eyes were flashing with merriment and delight. Her small arched feet +were dancing a _pas de seul_ in and out of the many flounces which +befrilled the end of the pink dress. + +"Well, do you like it?" called Kitty. "How do you think I look? Did you +ever see anybody more elegant in all your born days? Oh, if only the +dear old dad could see me! I feel as if I must kiss myself." Here she +commenced blowing kisses vigorously at the gay figure reflected in the +glass. + +"Come, Kitty," said Mrs. Denvers, "you are not going out in that dress." + +"And why not, my dear Mrs. Denvers? Why shouldn't I go out and captivate +the natives? That's what a pretty girl is made for." + +"Not in this country," said Mrs. Denvers in a somewhat severe voice. "It +cannot be done; Kitty, you are much too young to wear a dress of that +sort. While you are with me you must expect to be guided by my taste and +wishes." + +"But, dear Mrs. Denvers, Aunt Bridget ordered it." + +"Well, of course, dear, you can wear it at Castle Malone, but not +here--at least, not out of doors. Yes, my child, it is a very pretty +dress; but I do understand what is right for girls to appear in. You +must have something quieter, Kitty." + +"Then come along and choose for me," said Kitty, who was as good-natured +as she was high-spirited and volatile. "Come straight and choose, for +Alice, poor child, is troubled with the sulks." + +"What do you mean?" said Alice indignantly. + +"But isn't it true, darling; you have such a frown between your brows, +and it doesn't improve you. There, cheer up, Alice, honey! Why, it's the +best of friends I want to be with you; but you don't like me, not a bit. +I'll win you yet, Alice, aroon! But at the present moment you're saying +in your heart: 'What a nasty, forward, ill-bred girl that is, and I am +ashamed, that I am, that my schoolfellows should see me with the likes +of her.'" + +"Come, come, Kitty, no more of this," said Mrs. Denvers. "If you are +going out you have no time to lose. Yes, let me see your wardrobe. I +think this dark-blue dress is the best." + +"But you are not expecting me to go out in the open air without a body!" +said Kitty, "and there's nothing but a skirt to this. I suppose I may +wear one of my pretty blouses?" + +"Yes; that skirt and a nice blouse will do. Now then, get ready, both of +you, as quickly as you can. Kitty, remember I expect your things to be +put away tidily." + +"To be sure, ma'am. Why, then, it would be a shame to spoil all these +pretty garments. I'll put them away in a jiffy, and come down looking as +neat as a new pin." + +Alice, who had brushed out her hair, put on a clean collar and a pair of +cuffs, was now standing waiting for her friend. + +"Look here," she said suddenly, "will you be long putting away your +things and dressing?" + +"Not very long, darling; but I must curl my fringe over again." + +"I wish you wouldn't wear a fringe, Kitty; none of the nice girls do at +the school." + +"Is it give up my fringe I would?" answered Kitty. + +"What a show I'd be! Why, look at my forehead, it's too high for the +lines of pure beauty. Now, when the fringe comes down just to here, why, +it's perfect. Aunt Bridget said it was, and she's a rare judge, I can +tell you. She was a beauty in her youth, one of the Dublin beauties; and +you can't go to any city for fairer women than are to be found in +Dublin. I tell you what it is, Alice, I see you are in a flurry to be +off. Can I overtake you?" + +"You can," said Alice suddenly. "You can come to me at Bessie +Challoner's house." + +"Bessie Challoner!--what a pretty name!--Challoner! I like that!" +answered Kitty, looking thoughtful. "And where's her house, aroon? What +part of the neighborhood is it situated in?" + +"Come here to the window and I'll show you. When you leave this house +you turn to the right and walk straight on until you come to Cherry +Lodge--that's the name of the house. Bessie and I will be waiting for +you." + +"Well, then, off you go, and I won't keep you many minutes." + +Alice ran out of the room. She found her mother waiting for her +downstairs. + +"Oh, mother," said Alice, "she's too dreadful." + +"Come now, no whispering about me behind my back," called a gay voice +over the stairs. "I thought it would be something of that sort. That's +not fair--out with your remarks in front of me, and nothing behind." + +"Kitty, Kitty, go back and dress, you incorrigible child!" called Mrs. +Denvers. + +"Mother!" said Alice. + +"My dear Alice," said her mother, "you will soon learn to like that poor +child. She has a great deal that is good in her, and then she is so +pretty." + +"Pretty?" muttered Alice. "Oh, I see you're bewitched like the rest of +them." + +She left the house, feeling more uncomfortable, depressed, and angry +than she had done for several years. + +Mr. Denvers was a lawyer, and made a fairly good income; but his large +family and the education of his boys had strained his resources to such +an extent that he was very glad to accept the liberal sum which Kitty's +father was paying for her. Alice knew all about this, and at first was +more than willing to help her family in every way in her power. She did +not murmur at all when she was asked to give up half of her room to the +Irish girl. She was quite willing to take her under her patronage, to +show her round, to try to get friends for her among her own +schoolfellows--in short, to make her happy. But then Alice had never +pictured any one in the least like Kitty Malone. She had imagined a +somewhat plain, shy, awkward girl, who would lean upon her, who would +give her unbounded affection, and follow her lead in everything. Now, +this sparkling, racy, daring Kitty was by no means to her mind. There +was not the least doubt that Kitty would not be guided by anybody, that +she would never play second fiddle, and there was also a dreadful fear +down deep in poor Alice's heart that she would fascinate her school +fellows instead of disgusting them, and that Alice's own dearest friends +would leave her in favor of the stranger. + +She walked very slowly, therefore, a frown between her brows, discontent +and jealousy in her heart. + +Bessie was waiting for her at the gate. + +"Why, Alice," called out Bessie, "how late you are. We shan't get to +Harley Grove by five o'clock." + +"I can't help being late; it is a blessing you see me now," answered +Alice. "I wonder you waited for me, Bessie." + +"Well, my dear," answered Bessie, "I would much rather walk with you +than take a solitary ramble by myself. I thought," she added, "you were +going to bring that new Irish girl with you. Has she come?" + +"Has she not come?" answered Alice. "Oh, Bessie, Bessie, it is because +of her I am late. Oh, Bessie, she is quite too dreadful." + +"How so?" asked Bessie. + +"She is the most extraordinary, wild, reckless, absolutely unladylike, +vulgar person I ever came across in the whole course of my life." + +"What a lot of adjectives!" laughed Bessie. "I shall be quite curious to +see her; from your description she must be a monster." + +"She is a monster, a human monster," answered Alice; "and the worst of +it is, Bessie, that in some extraordinary way she has fascinated both +father and mother, and even Fred--Fred, who hates girls as a rule; they +are all so taken up with this blessed Kitty Malone that they don't mind +her perfectly savage manners. I can tell you I am quite miserable about +it." + +"Poor Alice," answered Bessie in a sympathetic tone. "I suppose then, +dear, she is not coming with us?" + +"Oh, yes, she is; she is following us. She could not find anything quiet +enough to put on." + +"Quiet enough to put on! What do you mean?" + +"Oh, my dear, her wardrobe is beyond description. She absolutely wanted +to come to poor Gwin's quiet little tea party in a dress fit for a ball, +flounced and frilled and laced and ribboned, and with a train to it, +absolutely a train, although she is not fifteen yet." + +Bessie could not help laughing. "I am sorry she is fond of dress," she +answered; "I can't bear that sort of girl." + +"Oh, you'll positively loathe her, Bessie. I quite pity you at the +thought of having to walk with her this afternoon." + +"My dear Alice, we must make the best of it," answered Bessie, "and I +don't suppose she will quite kill me; she will be amusing at any rate." + +"Amusing enough to those who have not got to live with her day and +night," answered Alice in a very discontented voice. "Oh, and here she +comes," she added; "and, look, she is running and racing down the road +and waving her hands to us. Oh, Bessie, it is intolerable! Don't you +pity me?" + +"What! is that the girl?" cried Bessie. "How very--" + +"How very what?" asked Alice. + +"How very pretty she is!" + +"Pretty," said Alice in a tone of such withering scorn that Bessie could +not help gazing at her friend in astonishment. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +TIFFS ALL AROUND. + + +Kitty's dark-blue skirt was all that was correct and proper; it reached +just to her ankles, and her remarkably small and beautifully-shaped feet +were encased in the neatest possible tan boots. But the blouse of light +pink silk, all bedizened with bunches of ribbons and lappets of lace, +was in Alice's eyes almost as painfully unsuitable as the trained skirt. +Kitty wore a little close-fitting cap of dark-blue velvet on her head. +Her hair, of the softest, cloudiest black, true Irish hair, was piled up +in a thick mass behind; in front it waved and curled round her white +forehead. Kitty was very tall, and, child as she still was in years, had +a more formed figure than most girls of her age. She was drawing on her +tan gloves now, and unfurling a parasol of tussore silk with a heavy +lace fall. + +"I do hope I'm smart enough," she said, panting slightly as she spoke. +"Is this one of your schoolfellows?" + +"Yes; my friend, Miss Challoner." + +"Haven't you got a Christian name?" asked Kitty, staring frankly with +her wide-open eyes at Alice's friend. + +"Bessie is my name," answered Bessie Challoner. + +"Do you mind my calling it to you? I like Challoner awfully, and if I +were to say Challoner without the Miss it might do, but Miss is so +stiff. I hope I may be Kitty to you, and then you won't object to being +Bessie to me." + +"Not a bit," answered Bessie heartily; "but we are a little late, and +had better walk on as fast as we can." + +Gwin Harley lived in a beautiful house about two miles away, and the +girls turned down a path which led across some fields in the direction +of Harley Grove. The time of year was toward the end of May, and the +weather was perfect. + +Kitty, who had been silent for a time, now stood in the middle of the +field, threw both her hands to her sides, let her parasol drop on the +ground, and opened her mouth wide. + +"Have you gone quite mad?" asked Alice in a severe tone. + +"Mad is it?" said Kitty; "not I. I am taking in some of the air." Here +she began to breathe very deeply and with considerable noise. "Why, my +ducky girls, the pair of you, I was fairly suffocated in that bandbox of +a house; now the breeze here is fine and fresh, and I want to fill my +lungs. Is there any objection?" + +"Oh, none I am sure," answered Bessie; "but you really did look most +extraordinary." + +"I am glad no one was passing at the moment," said Alice. "What would +they have thought?" + +"Does it matter what they think?" asked Kitty. "We never mind what +anyone thinks of us in Ireland. Ah, the dear old place; how I pine for +it! There now, my lungs are full, and we can go on again." + +She picked up her parasol and began to stride forward. + +"Isn't she a horror?" whispered Alice to Bessie. + +"Hush!" answered Bessie; "she only does it to amuse us. The thing is to +take very little notice; we'll soon tame her down." + +"Is it taming me you're after?" called back Kitty. "Well, then, you'll +never do that, for I come of a wild lot, and I have always been called +Wild Kitty from the moment I could speak. But there's no harm in me, not +a bit. Now, then, I'll walk as sober as you please. What shall we talk +about?" + +"Is there anything you would like to ask us?" said Bessie. + +"I am sure then, darling, I don't think there is. Wouldn't you like to +ask me some questions? I'm as open as day. I'll lay bare all the +thoughts of my secret soul to the pair of you, if you care to hear +them." + +"I don't know that we do," said Bessie. "You see we have got to make +your acquaintance yet, Kitty." + +"Ah, now it's nice of you to call me Kitty, and that's a very pretty +little voice you have; soft and winning. How is it you say some of those +words? I can't get my tongue round them; but I dare say I will after a +bit." + +"Would you like to know what kind of place we are going to?" asked +Bessie. + +"Oh, I'll wait until I get there," answered Kitty. "I suppose it's like +all other places; there's a house and some girls; and if we are asked to +tea, why we'll get tea, and they'll think me no end of an oddity, and +I'll think them a lot of muffs; but that don't matter. Oh, my dears, if +you only saw Old Ireland, and if you only knew the free life we have +there, and the beautiful air that comes blowing in from the broad +Atlantic. Why, it's smothered I'll be in this queer place. I doubt if +I'll stay long. I'll write to father, and ask him to take me back +again." + +"I would if I were you," said Alice stoutly. + +"Now, what do you mean by that, 'Alice, aroon?'" + +"I mean," said Alice, who had now almost lost control over her temper, +"that if you go on as you have done since you came here, we shall none +of us like you, and I for one shall be delighted when you return to +Ireland." + +As Alice spoke Kitty's charming face suddenly lost its brilliant color; +it became white, and her dark eyes flashed with an angry fire. She stood +perfectly still for a moment, then began to walk on a little faster than +before. + +"You have hurt her, Alice," said Bessie; "you should not have said +that." + +"I don't care; she made me do it; she is intolerable." + +"Still, you had no right to speak as you did; remember she is a +stranger." + +Here Bessie ran after Kitty, and tried to slip her hand through her arm; +but the Irish girl made an impatient movement, and, shrugging her +shoulders, walked on quicker than before. + +"Oh, leave her alone," whispered Alice; "let us talk about things that +interest us. Why should all lives be upset by her? There, she is going +on in front; let us fall back and talk about interesting things. Have +you finished your work yet?" + +"Oh, yes; I had a great deal to do this afternoon. I do hope, Alice, +that Gwin won't mind if I ask her to let me go into the library. I must +take a peep into 'Household Encyclopędia;' it is such a chance." + +"Oh, I am sure she won't mind," replied Alice. "Gwin is the soul of good +nature. I only dread what she will think." + +"Oh, you need not dread anything," said Kitty, suddenly turning round +and coming back to the girls. "I shan't be here long; don't be afraid." + +"Please, Kitty," said Bessie; "don't mind what Alice said just now, she +was vexed, because we are not quite accustomed to manners like yours. +You will soon get into our ways, you know." + +"Never, never!" cried Kitty. + +"Well, at any rate, don't mind about it now. Do you think you will like +your school life?" + +"No; I shall just hate it." + +"What a pity that will be; but I'm sure you don't know what you are +saying. You are vexed with Alice, and I don't wonder--Alice, you were +very hard on her." + +"Oh, never mind," answered Kitty; "don't ask her to apologize. I can go +home again. I don't want to be with people who have made up their minds +to dislike me. All the folks at home love me, and--" Here tears dropped +from her eyes, splashing down her cheeks in bright round pearls. + +"I didn't mean to vex you," said Alice, who was disconcerted at this +evident grief. "I dare say I shall get accustomed to you after a bit. I +mean I do not really want you to go home." + +Kitty's face underwent a change, rapid as a flash of lightning. + +"If you want to make friends, Alice, it's as right as rain," she cried. +"I know I was vexed, but it is over now; yes it is over. I am willing to +be friends if you are willing." + +"Of course," said Alice; "and I know I ought not to have spoken as I +did; but you do manage to fret me dreadfully. I never saw a girl exactly +like you before." + +"It is all right now you really want to be friends," answered Kitty; +"and I will try to be as dull as you please." Here she paused and seemed +to consider. "There's no use," she continued after a moment; "I mean I +must be myself whatever happens. I must be genuine. Please, Alice, let +me be genuine for a week; if at the end of that time you find me +intolerable, why I'll be off." + +"Don't say anything about that," said Bessie; "everything is quite new +to you, and Alice did speak unkindly; but please, Kitty, don't be angry +if I say something." + +"Oh, no, I won't be angry with you; you're a real duck," cried Kitty. + +"Well, we English girls are not quite accustomed to your sort of way; we +are quieter here and more reserved. Perhaps you had better--" + +"Oh, I know exactly what the end of that pretty little speech is going +to be," said Kitty; "but I cannot. I must be Kitty Malone or nothing. I +was born that way. Why, bless you, it is in our race. Aunt Bridget was +just the same when she was young, and so was Aunt Honora, and even +father; oh, and--and Laurie. If you only saw Laurie and Pat! Oh, I wish +you knew Laurie; if you saw him you would say, 'If there is a broth of a +boy in the world he is one.'" + +The girls had now reached the avenue gates at Harley Lodge, and the +lodge-keeper ran out to open them. A few moments later they found +themselves in sight of the pretty, modern mansion which Mr. Harley had +lately purchased. The door was opened by a butler in very correct +livery, and the young folk were shown into a handsome drawing-room at +the other side of a broad hall. There was no one in the room when they +entered, and Kitty walked straight up to a glass let into the wall, and +began to survey herself with intense satisfaction. She had by this time +forgotten the rebuff which Alice had given her, tears had only added to +the brightness of her eyes, and her momentary fit of vexation and temper +had deepened the color in her blooming cheeks. She nodded to herself +with smiles of intense satisfaction, pushed her velvet cap in a slightly +more coquettish way over her mass of black curls, and began once again +to dance a very graceful _pas de seul_ in front of the glass. + +"I do think I have nice feet," she said; and just at that moment the +door was opened, and Gwin Harley and Elma Lewis entered the room. + +Gwin, statuesque, graceful, dressed in the most suitable manner, made a +perfect contrast to poor, excitable Kitty. Kitty's words had been +plainly audible, and Alice flushed deeply with vexation. + +"Why, then, I had better introduce myself," said Kitty, who was by no +means abashed. "Are you Miss Harley? You have got a very nice looking +glass, let me tell you; it shows off the figure to perfection." + +Gwin could not help coloring in surprise and astonishment. + +"I am Kitty Malone, at your service," continued Kitty. "Shall I drop you +a courtesy in the true Irish way? Some of us bob like this--so, and some +of us step back like this," here Kitty performed a very elaborate and +very graceful courtesy, then stood upright, and laughing heartily, +showed rows of pearly teeth. Gwin held out her hand. + +"May I introduce my friend, Elma Lewis? Elma, this is Miss Malone." + +"Kitty Malone. I won't be called Miss Malone," said the incorrigible +Kitty. + +"Won't you all come upstairs now, girls?" said Gwin, who perceived that +both Alice and Bessie were annoyed by Kitty's manners. + +"If we take off our things we can go into the library and have a good +game before tea, or would you prefer a walk?" + +"Well, I for one am tired," said Kitty. "The fact is," she continued, +these boots are somewhat tight. They're awfully becoming, you know, +aren't they? but they do squeeze a little just across the toes; how +ever, as Aunt Honora says, 'Pride feels no pain,' and I am desperate +proud of my feet. Shall we all look at our feet, and see which has got +the prettiest pair?" + +"I don't think we will just at present," said Gwin. "If you are tired +you must take your boots off. Have you not just come from Ireland?" + +"Bless you, yes," answered Kitty; "I only arrived to-day. The place is +as new to me as it can be. Up to the present I don't think much of it, +although you have got a lovely house, Miss Harley--fine and airy with +plenty of big rooms. I suppose you have got money _galore_; have you?" + +"I believe we have," said Gwin in some astonishment, and a haughty note +coming into her voice. + +"Ah, now, don't begin to be proud and stiff!" exclaimed Kitty. "It is +quite wonderful; every one I speak to here seems to take me the wrong +way. What in the world do you all mean? I thought when I came to England +that people would say, 'Well, now, that's a remarkably pretty girl. I am +sure she's Irish by the twinkle in her eye and the roll of the brogue in +her voice; but we'll like her all the better for that.' But, bless my +heart! that's not the way you're taking me. Every time I open my lips +somebody seems to think I have said something wrong. Upon my word it's a +nice state of things, and I, the darling of my old father. If Aunt +Honora and Aunt Bridget were here they would soon put matters straight; +and Laurie, dear, darling, old Laurie, if he saw his Kitty put upon, +wouldn't he give it to you all?" + +"We none of us want to put upon you, Miss Malone," said Gwin Harley. + +"_Miss_ Malone!" + +"Yes," said Gwin firmly, "it is the custom here to call girls by their +surnames for a little until we get to know them; but I am sure," she +added kindly, "you will soon be Kitty with us all, for I see you are +very nice, although you have not quite our ways." + +"Ah, there, that is all I want you to say," answered Kitty with a +profound sigh, "and now I'll go upstairs and slip off my bits of boots, +for they are a trifle tight. Can you lend me a pair of your shoes, Miss +Harley?" + +"Yes, with pleasure," replied Gwin, and turning, she led the way out of +the room. The rest of the evening passed off better. Kitty became a +little subdued, and satisfied herself with talking less, and casting +ravishing glances of delight and roguish entreaty first at one girl and +then at the other. It was extremely difficult to withstand her, for her +voice was low and singularly sweet, her eyes were beautiful, she could +not do an ungraceful thing, she was altogether like a bright, flashing +meteor, and soon she began to exercise an extraordinary fascination both +over Bessie Challoner and Gwin Harley. Having got over her first +astonishment, Gwin began to take a sincere interest in the pretty +stranger. The lovely expression of her coral lips made her long to kiss +them, and to assure the Irish girl that she for one would be her friend; +but the next instant Kitty said something so very much against the grain +that Gwin felt as much repulsed as a moment before she was delighted. + +Immediately after tea Bessie went off to the library to hunt up her +darling "Encyclopędia." + +"Now that she has gone," exclaimed Gwin, "we are not likely to get her +back for some time. What a remarkably earnest student she is!" + +"The Earnest Student?" interrupted Kitty. "I thought that was the name +of a religious book. I think father has got it at home." + +"Perhaps so," replied Gwin, "but we always call it to Bessie. She is +wonderfully clever. She gets on splendidly at school, taking everything +before her. I am certain she is the kind of girl who will make her mark +by and by." + +"I hate studies!" said Kitty in her low, humorous voice. + +"I am sorry for that," answered Gwin, "for if you come to school you +won't be at all popular if you do not care for your books." + +"Popular? How do you mean? Is it with the teachers or with the girls?" + +"Well, with both I fancy." + +"Then, I tell you what," exclaimed Kitty, "I'd like to bet with you that +you are wrong--that I'll be the most popular girl in the whole of the +school with the teachers--yes, with the teachers--and the scholars as +well." + +"You must be very conceited," exclaimed Elma, who had sat silent during +the greater part of the evening, taking Kitty in, however, all the same. + +"Conceited? No more than you are," cried Kitty, "but I know my powers, +and I have not kissed the Blarney Stone for nothing." + +"Oh, you need not tell us that ridiculous story over again," said Alice. + +"But I should like to hear it," cried Gwin. + +"You really would not Gwin; it is too absurd. We must show Kitty, now +she has come to live among us, what is real wit and what is not. Her +way of talking is only silly." + +Gwin knit her brows, and looked pained. + +"I would rather not correct her now," she said in a gentle voice. Then +she added, her eyes sparkling with sudden eagerness, "Would it not be a +good opportunity for talking over the rules of our society, girls?" + +"Oh yes," cried Elma, "yes; but is it well to----" + +Here she bent forward, and began to whisper vigorously in Gwin's ear. + +"Yes, I think so," answered Gwin. + +"I wouldn't, I really wouldn't," said Elma. "I am certain Alice agrees +with me." + +"I can guess what you are saying," cried Alice, "and I do agree most +heartily." + +"And I can guess what you are saying," exclaimed Kitty, starting to her +feet with flashing eyes. "You don't want to talk about your society or +whatever it is because I am present. Well, discuss it without me. I'll +find my way to the library. Poor dear Bessie is the only decent one +among you, and I shall go and sit with her. How do you know I won't take +up with literature just to spite you all? I can do anything I have a +mind to, and that you will soon find to your cost." + +She ran out of the room as she spoke, slamming the door behind her. + +"There, that's a comfort," cried Alice, breathing freely for the first +time. "Did you ever, girls, in all your lives, see a more terrible +creature? What is to be done? Why, she will disgrace us all at school. +You know what a very nice set we are in at present." + +"Oh, an excellent set," said Elma, in a sarcastic voice. + +"You know, Elma, that we do belong to the nicest set in the school, and +I am sure, Gwin, your father--" + +"You need not drag father in," cried Gwin. Father likes all the people I +like." + +"But, surely--" began Alice. + +Gwin looked at her gravely, then she nodded. + +"I am not quite certain yet," she said; "but I think it highly probable +that I shall take up that poor, wild, little Kitty. At least she is +fresh; she speaks out her mind plainly, and there is a great deal to +admire about her." + +"Then, listen, Gwin," cried Alice; "if she is taken into our special +society I will resign." + +"Will you really, Alice? What, if I ask you to stay?" + +"It is hard to refuse you, dear; but you scarcely know what all this +means to me. I am rubbed the wrong way; I don't understand myself. But +frankly, Gwin, you are not going to ask Kitty Malone to join our +society?" + +"What if it does her good?" + +"But ought we not to think of the others? She is a perfect stranger to +us all at present." + +"But she won't be long. Bless the child, she has no reserve in her, and +I do want to help her, poor little girl! Well, we need not decide that +point at present." + +"Do let us vote to leave her out," cried Alice. + +"No, Alice, we will leave the point undecided. Now let us set to work, +and begin to form our rules, for really we have no time to lose." + +"But what are we to do without Bessie?" exclaimed Alice. "Whatever +happens, we cannot do without Bessie Challoner; she will be the life and +soul of the whole society. Shall we send for her, Gwin?" + +"No, Kitty is with her, and they had better not be disturbed." + +"What a difference Kitty makes," cried Alice. "I did think we should +have had a delightful and heavenly evening, and it has been all ruction +from first to last." + +"Because you dislike her so much, Alice," said Gwin. + +"Well, I do," said Alice; "I can't abide her. But do I show my dislike +so plainly?" she added. + +"Rather! Any one can see it in the curl of your lip and the expression +in your eyes; and then you say such terribly withering things to the +poor girl. You try to crush her." + +"Well, if I may say what I think," cried Elma, "Kitty Malone seems to me +to be a very unpleasant, vulgar girl, and I cannot imagine why she has +been sent here." + +"Oh, as to her vulgarity," said Alice, who suddenly felt forced to +defend herself against Elma's spiteful speeches, "Kitty comes of a very +old family, and her father is as rich as ever he can be. They live in a +wonderful castle in County Donegal, just overhanging the sea; and from +what I learn are considered county people. Father was very pleased to +have her, and whatever she is, she is a lady by birth." + +"So she is rich?" remarked Elma in a low voice. "Well, at any rate," +she continued after a pause, "she is very pretty." + +"Pretty!" cried Gwin; "I should just think she is. She has the most +lovely face I ever saw. Girls, it is quite true what she says; she will +fascinate any number of people. That dashing, daring way of hers will go +down with numbers. Yes, she will make a revolution in Middleton School, +I am certain." + + + + +CHAPTER V + +INCORRIGIBLE KITTY + + +Mr. Harley's library was a beautiful room. It was lined with books from +floor to ceiling, and these books had been selected with the greatest +care. Standard works of all sorts and in three languages were to be +found on certain bookshelves, also modern works, both poetry and prose, +with some of the best novels of the day. + +Bessie Challoner never envied rich people. She cared nothing whatever +for fine dresses, nor for carriages and horses, nor for the luxurious +life of the wealthy, but she did envy Gwin Harley the use of her +father's library; and when she entered the room now, with that delicious +faint smell of leather which all libraries possess, she sniffed first +with ecstasy, and then climbing on the ladder secured the volume of the +"Encyclopędia" which she required, and seating herself at one of the +center tables, was soon lost in the fascinations of her subject. After a +time a little cough, very gentle, however, caused her to raise her head, +and there standing before her was Kitty Malone. + +Kitty's long arms had dropped to her sides, and she had pushed back her +masses of dark hair. There was a pathetic expression about her rosy +lips, and tears trembled on her long eyelashes. + +"Why, what is it, Kitty; what do you want?" asked Bessie. + +"Ah, then it's good to hear you say that word, aroon," said Kitty. "I +want to sit near you. I won't speak, no, not a syllable. Hush will be +the only word with me, hush! hush! hush! You can go on with your beloved +reading and I'll stay near you; that's all I require. Why, then, it's +just a shelter I need, and nothing more. Read away, Bessie, my honey, +and I'll do nothing to interrupt you." + +"But why have you left the others?" asked Bessie. + +"Never mind, dear, now. I'll just sit quietly here, and contemplate you +while you are studying." + +Bessie sighed impatiently. She then bent again over her book, and began +to devour the pages. Kitty watched her with marked interest. + +"I wonder if it will be my fate to have to take up with literature in +sober earnest," she said to herself, "I, who can never abide a book. Oh, +to be back again in the dear old place! I should not be a bit surprised +if Laurie is out fishing now, and Pat with him. And oh, suppose they are +bringing in the trout, and the creatures are leaping and struggling as +they come to shore, and father is going round to feed the dogs--why, the +thought is enough to madden me. Oh, then, why did I ever leave home? I +don't care _that_ for books, nor for being clever nor for--How she works +to be sure! How earnest she looks. She has got a very fine forehead, +although it is miles too high. She ought to wear a fringe; it would +improve her wonderfully. I will cut her hair some day if she will let +me. I will cut it and curl it. I have got the dearest little jewel of a +pair of curling tongs that ever was seen! Aunt Honora sent it to me in a +box with a spirit lamp all complete when I got the rest of my things. +I'll just exercise those little tongs on dear, nice Bessie. I do wish +she would not be so devoted to that book, she might talk. Oh, I am +lonely. I think I'll fidget a bit." + +Kitty moved her chair, creaking it ominously; but Bessie had got to a +most thrilling part of her subject, and Kitty might have creaked the +library down before she would have roused her companion's attention. + +"Now, if I sigh, perhaps that will do it," thought Kitty. She opened her +mouth and let some profound sighs come up from the depths of her heart; +but they only depressed her still more, and had no effect whatever on +Bessie. + +"I think I hate intellectual people," muttered the Irish girl. She +jumped to her feet. + +"I must do something to rouse her or I shall go mad. She is the nicest +of them all, much. I wish she would speak to me. Why should I break my +heart, and why should she simply go on devouring that stupid book? Here, +I know what I'll do. I'll just toss down one of the big volumes; it will +make a clatter and she will have to look up. Perhaps I'll let it drop +just the tiniest bit in the world on the corner of her toe; that will +finish her." Here Kitty laughed excitedly, pushed out her arm and +knocked over a huge volume which certainly fell a good deal more than a +tiny bit on poor Bessie's foot. + +"Oh, Kitty, what have you done?" cried Bessie. "You have quite hurt me. +I wish you would not drop the books about." + +"There, darling, I had to do it. Pray forgive me," said Kitty. + +"You had to do it!" answered Bessie. "Do you mean that you did it on +purpose?" + +"Why, then, yes, love--that's what I do mean exactly. I did it because +I wanted you to talk to me, and you _would_ think of nothing but that +book." + +"It is such a chance," answered Bessie, "and I wanted to find out for +myself all about that wonderful magnetic iron ore. You know it never +loses its power, it is potent for hundreds and hundreds of years, and--" + +"Oh, don't tell me any more, or I'll lose my senses. Dear Bessie, what +does magnetic iron ore matter. Bessie, I'm awfully unhappy. Every one is +so unkind to me. Promise you'll be my friend, won't you?" + +Bessie looked up, and then she saw something so touching in Kitty's face +that she closed her book with a reluctant sigh, to devote herself the +next moment with all the sympathy she possessed to her companion. + +"I am sure you are suffering, Kitty, and I am sorry for you," she said. +"I'll fetch my hat and we'll go out for a little." + +"Oh, what a darling you are!" answered Kitty. + +A moment or two later the girls were walking across the beautifully-kept +garden; they soon reached a shady path at the further end. + +"And now, Kitty," said Bessie, "I mean to lecture you a little." + +"Anything in the world you like, darling. I'm quite agreeable. Aunt +Honora and Aunt Bridget lecture me, and so does the dear old dad +sometimes; but I always say when they have finished that it is like +water on a duck's back--it rolls off without making the least bit of +impression, and then they laugh and say that I am the queerest mixture +they ever came across, and that they had best leave me to nature. But +perhaps I'll listen to you, Bessie." + +"I wish you would," said Bessie. "I am sure," she added, speaking with +great earnestness, "that you are a very nice girl, Kitty; but at the +same time you are wild." + +"Oh, I pride myself on that," said Kitty in her frankest of voices. + +"But I wish you would not, Kitty, for it really isn't nice." + +"Not nice! Now what may you be meaning by that, aroon?" + +"Well, there is a sort of dignity which I think a really well brought-up +girl ought to possess." + +"Oh, my! dignity is it?" said Kitty. She stepped away from her +companion, drew down her face to a ridiculous length, nearly closed her +eyes, and folded her hands demurely across her breast. + +"Is that pleasing you, mavourneen?" she said. "Is it dignified and sober +enough poor Kitty Malone looks now?" + +"Oh, Kitty, you will joke about everything." + +Kitty immediately changed her mood. + +"No, I won't," she said. "I am really awfully obliged to you. You don't +know what all this has been to me. Father said I was growing too +wild--yes, the darling dad did; he agrees with you down to the core of +his heart, and he said I must go to England and be taught manners. But, +bless you, they'll have a job. I told him so when I was going. I said, +'Dad, it's the hearts of the teachers I'll be breaking;' and dad said, +'Oh, no, you won't, Kitty, aroon. You'll be a good girl, and you'll try +to please your old dad and you'll come back a beautiful, perfect lady!' +He said it with tears in his eyes, he did, the darling; and I promised, +and down on my knees I went and asked God to help me. But, dear, it's +like the froth of the sea-foam inside me, the fun and the mischief and +the nonsense and the ways that you think queer; but, all the same, those +ways delight the good folk at home. Must I really give them up, +Bessie--must I?" + +"To a certain extent," said Bessie, "or you will have a lot of enemies +here, Kitty, and you won't be at all happy." + +"How I wish I lived with you, Bessie Challoner. You're a broth of a +girl, that you are. You have not taken a dislike to me just because of +the fun bubbling up in my heart?" + +"No, dear; on the contrary, I like you extremely." + +"Ah, you precious duck of a darling! It is a good squeeze you would +like, if I gave it to you?" + +"Well, I am not very fond of being kissed; but if you must, Kitty." + +"I must, dear, I must, for the heart in me is full to the brim. Now +then, stand still, and I'll catch you up close to my heart. There! isn't +that better?" + +Poor Bessie gave some long-drawn breaths, for the firmness, in fact the +ferocity, of Kitty's embrace quite hurt her for a moment. + +"There," said Kitty, "that's the way we hug in Old Ireland. Now I'm a +sight better, and I'll let go. So you do like me, Bessie?" + +"Yes, very much indeed, Kitty, only--please don't do it again." + +"I won't to-night, I won't really, but it's wonderful that you don't +like it. I wish you could see Aunt Honora and Aunt Bridget hug one +another. Why, it's the noise they make when they get together, and the +way they kiss! Oh, dear, I hope some day you'll come to Ireland." + +"You don't tempt me by these descriptions," replied Bessie. "But now, +Kitty, will you promise just to be a little quieter, to keep in all +those irrepressible and--really I must say it, dear, at the risk of +hurting you--those silly words." + +"But then I'm silly myself," said Kitty. "Can you expect wisdom out of +nonsense? I am pure and simple nonsense from first to last." + +"But you do want to be something better? You do want to lead a good +life?" + +"A good life! I never thought there was anything bad in me." + +"You want to learn for instance?" + +"No; that I don't, darling." + +"You don't want to learn, Kitty? Then what is the good of coming to +Middleton School?" + +"Listen," said Kitty. "I'll do anything for father. Father said I was to +learn, and that I was to get manners. Now I think your manners are +perfect. I'll model myself on you, dear; that I will. Will you teach me +your manners, Bessie Challoner?" + +"I'll do all I can to help you, Kitty." + +"And you'll be my real faithful friend?" + +"Yes, only please not--" + +"I won't, dear, I won't to-night; but when I meet you to-morrow you'll +allow me just once?" + +"Well, if it will break you in." + +"It will, it will. It will enable me to bear Alice. I am not the sort to +hate people; but I'll soon get to hate her. It's an awful affliction +that I have got to live with the Denvers; not that Mrs. Denvers is bad, +nor Mr. Denvers, poor dear, nor Fred, but Alice! I'd like to get Alice +over to Ireland, to Castle Malone. I could punish her a bit if I put her +into Laurie's hands. But there!" + +"Well, Kitty, time is going," said Bessie. "It is a bargain that I help +you to learn some of our English ways, and that you, in order to pay me, +try to be gentle yourself, and to restrain some of your wild words." + +"I'll try. I'll do my very, very best. You'll see when I get to +Middleton School what a proper, respectable sort of girl I'll become." + +"And you'll work hard too, won't you, Kitty? For I know it will do you a +great deal of good, and I am sure you are very intelligent." + +"Well, I can take in most things; only it's no end of a bother." + +"I am certain you will succeed if you try," said Bessie. "Then it's a +bargain, isn't it? You'll try to learn a great deal, and you will do +your best to get better mannered?" + +"Why, of course I will. I hate learning, and I don't want to be bothered +with lessons: but there's nothing under the sun I wouldn't do for those +I love; and I love father and I love you too, Bessie Challoner." + +"They are calling us. We must go into the house," said Bessie. + +"Do yield to me on one point," cried Kitty. + +"What is that?" + +"Let us go back to the house with our arms round each other's waists. It +will show Alice that we have come to an understanding. I don't care +twopence about Miss Harley nor about that other girl--I don't remember +her name; but I want Alice to see us. Why, it's mad with jealousy she'll +be. Come along, aroon. Here's my arm firm round your waist; now let us +dance up to the house." + +"Oh Kitty, Kitty, you are incorrigible!" cried poor Bessie, and a +feeling of despair certainly visited her at that moment. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +THE TUG-OF-WAR. + + +A few days after the events related in the last chapter Alice Denvers, +Bessie Challoner, Elma Lewis, and Gwin Harley met once more at Gwin's +pretty home, to discuss the rules of a little society which they were +drawing up among themselves. The nicest girls in their set were to be +invited to join; but the important subject of the rules was first to be +discussed. Gwin £ad drawn up a plan which she now submitted to her eager +companions. + +"The most important thing of all is the name," she said. "I thought of +calling it 'The Early Rising, Devoted to Study Society.'" + +"Oh, twice too long," said Bessie. "Who could be bothered saying all +these words? You know when we are in the rush of school-life we cannot +be bothered talking of the 'Early Rising, Devoted to Study;' it would +never, never do. We must express what we mean in a single word if +necessary." + +"Then let us get one," said Gwin. "You have not the least idea what a +headache I had last night searching in the dictionary and cudgelling my +brains; but a sensible word which would express all our meaning I could +not get." + +"Let us think what our meaning clearly is," said Elma. + +"Don't you know that yet?" exclaimed Bessie. "The society is to be +formed as an incentive to make us work extra hard. You know," she added +"I always think the motives of school-life are quite wrong." + +"Oh, do listen to the words of Miss Wisdom," said Elma, in a very +mocking tone. + +Bessie's big gray eyes flashed for a moment with indignation; but she +soon recovered her usual calm. + +"I think the motives of school are wrong," she repeated; "there are +prizes offered, and there is a lot of emulation--" + +"And how could we live without emulation?" cried Alice. "Why, it is the +very breath of life." + +"But the desire of each to excel the other is not surely why we are sent +to school," continued Bessie. "We are sent to school because our parents +want us to learn something. They don't want us specially to get prizes, +although they are glad when we do, because they suppose that we have +accomplished some of the objects of our school life; but their real wish +is that we should know English history, and history generally, that we +should be well acquainted with geography, that we should speak French +fluently, and understand German so as to be able to converse in that +tongue, and to read the literature." + +"Oh, do listen to the bookworm," cried Elma. + +"In short," continued Bessie; "that we should become accomplished +women--that is undoubtedly the real object of school." + +"Well, we are not gainsaying it," said Gwin. "We all know, dear Bessie, +what you feel about learning; it is the breath of life to you." + +"It is, I rejoice in it," said Bessie. "A good vigorous tussle with a +tough subject is the keenest pleasure which I can possibly have." + +"But the rest of us are not made the same way," continued Gwin. "Now I +like my studies very much--that is, in moderation. When I am learning +and mastering French, and getting through my music creditably, and, in +short, going through the usual curriculum of work, I feel interested; +but I also have a delightful sense that if I work for so many hours I am +entitled to play for so many hours." + +"Oh, bother the play," interrupted Bessie. + +"You see, Bessie Challoner, that is the difference between us. I like +work just to form part of my life, but not the whole; you want work to +form the whole of your life." + +"Yes; that I do," said Bessie. + +"But now to return to the society," interrupted Elma. "We all know that +it won't be the slightest effort to Bessie to join; but she will be a +good incentive to the rest of us. She will always be at the top of the +tree, at the head of her class, and all that sort of thing. She won't +require to be told to get up early, because she always does." + +"I tell you what," interrupted Bessie; "let us put things into our rules +which will be a tug-of-war for me too. For instance, now, I am untidy." + +"Well, yes; just a little bit," said Gwin, her eyes dancing. + +"It's more than a little bit," said Bessie. "Oh, Gwin, you don't know +what a nuisance it is to keep my room in order, and sometimes I forget +the things dear mother tells me, and I am impatient with poor little +Judy, who takes, I must say, a fiendish delight in putting my things in +hiding. Now, our rules might include tidiness of person and order +generally. It's no trouble to me to keep my books in order, nor my mind +in order; but I do hate washing my hands before every meal, and brushing +my hair and doing it up in a fashionable roll at the back of my head." + +"Oh, my dear child," said Elma, "do you imagine for a moment that that +excrescence at the back of your head is fashionable? I never saw +anything more dowdy." + +"Dowdy? Is it?" said Bessie. "I spent five minutes over it this morning, +and twisted it up three times in order to give it that horrid little +handle of a jug look which you all aspire to. Well, well, I don't +suppose we need add to our rules that the girls who belong to the +society are to be fashionable." + +"It would be a really good idea if we did," said Elma. "I cannot see why +schoolgirls should be a lot of frumps. Our society is to effect a +certain object which can never be acquired unaided in a great school +like Middleton. We want to be as ladylike, as refined, as nice as if we +belonged to a very small and select school. We get the best teaching at +Middleton, but I don't suppose we get the best manners." + +"Well, let us add all these things to the rules," said Gwin, "and let us +begin to put them down at once. First, as to the name. Until we can +think of a better we must call it the 'Mutual Improvement Society.'" + +"A hateful word," said Bessie. "The M.I.S.!" + +"Yes, it does sound priggish," said Elma. + +"Well, I dare say some one will have genius enough to think of a more +flashy and brilliant name," said Gwin, "but for the present we will call +it the 'Mutual Improvement,' for that is exactly what it means. Now then +for the rules." + +As Gwin spoke she drew in front of her a sheet of foolscap paper; and, +dipping her pen in ink, looked eagerly at her three young companions. + +"Rule I.," she said. + +"For goodness' sake," cried Bessie, "let Rule I. apply to study. Do let +down lightly with regard to tidiness and fashionable hair, and all that +sort of thing." + +"Yes, we will begin about the most important matters first," said Gwin. +Here she began to write rapidly in pencil. "I must copy this out in my +best and most copperplate hand presently," she continued; "but while we +are correcting matters and getting down our rules somehow pencil will +do. Well, Rule I. Shall it be something like this, girls? 'The members +of this society are expected to aim for the top of the class in each +branch of their study at Middleton School. They are expected to gain at +least one prize at the midsummer examination.'" + +"That sounds rather like emulation coming in," interrupted Bessie. + +"It must come in, Bessie--it must," said Elma. "We must have something +to work for." + +"I thought the love of the thing--" began poor Bessie. + +"Oh, Bessie Challoner, do shut up. Yes, Gwin, that first rule goes very +well," said Elma. "We are to aim for the top of the class, and we are to +secure at least one prize each. Hurrah! for the Mutual Improvement +Society! Now, then let us get to Rule II." + +"That applies to deportment," said Gwin. "'The members of the Mutual +Improvement Society are to aim at ladylike manners, they are to refrain +from slang in conversation, and they are to refuse to make friends with +girls who indulge too largely in that special form of vulgarity.' Poor +Kitty Malone!" + +"But she does not talk slang," said Bessie. "She talks Ireland, and +Ireland and England are as far apart as the poles." + +"Rule III.," continued Gwin, "relates to tidiness; and now, Bessie, +comes your tug of war. 'The members of the society must engage to keep +their home things in perfect order, as well as their school desks. They +must be neat in their persons, exquisitely clean with regard to hands +and teeth, and tidy with regard to hair.'" + +"I don't think I'll join," said Bessie. + +"Nonsense, Bessie; it was you who told us to put all this in. I, as a +matter of course, always do these things," said Gwin, looking very sweet +and the essence of young ladyhood as she spoke. + +"Oh, yes, you dear old thing, you are perfect; but you don't live in the +sort of ramshackle house we do," said Bessie. "However, never mind. I am +quite agreeable to go in for the tug-of-war. And, now, is there anything +else?" + +"Oh yes, there is," said Elma, "and I think it is a most important +thing. 'The members of the Society, as far as they possibly can, are to +adhere to fashionable dress, to hair done in a stylish manner, and in +short to that distinction of appearance which ought to characterize the +lady of the present day.'" + +"Well done, Elma," said Gwin, "that is a capital rule." + +"It is a hateful rule," said Bessie. "I really don't think I can join. I +don't know what fashionable clothes are. I never study the fashions. I +have not the slightest idea whether sleeves are worn stuck out to the +size of a balloon or skin-tight to the arm. All I ask for in a sleeve is +that it should be comfortable; all I ask for in a dress is that I should +not know I have it on. I like to be warm in winter and cool in summer. +More I do not ask for." + +"Then the rule will do you a wonderful lot of good," said Gwin. "And now +is it decided? If so we will draw up the rules in proper form, and----" + +"I tell you what," said Bessie. "I have thought of a name and a good one +too. Let us call the society the 'Tug-of-war Society.'" + +"Well done," said Gwin; "that will be capital. And now is there to be a +subscription or is there not?" + +"Oh, certainly," said Alice. "It would make it much more distinguished, +and prevent too many girls asking to join. We want to have the +Tug-of-War Society rather select, don't we?" + +"I suppose so," said Gwin; "but I don't think that really depends upon +the amount of the subscription. What do you say to half a guinea, +girls?" + +Alice looked thoughtful, and Elma's face turned rather pale; but she was +the first to say she thought Gwin's suggestion an admirable one. + +"Then that is all right," said Gwin, "and I will set to work to write +out the rules as neatly as I can. After they are all set out in due +form, we can see if there are any improvements to be suggested." + +Gwin set to work, bending low over her foolscap paper, and Alice offered +to help her. Elma and Bessie wandered out of the room, and soon their +conversation turned to the much-discussed subject of Kitty. + +Bessie stood up warmly for the harum-scarum Irish girl, as Elma called +her. + +"She has a lot of good in her," said Bessie warmly. "She would be a +splendid girl if she were tamed down a little. I really don't think we +want to take much of the fire out of her; but if she would only restrain +some of her wild speeches it would be all the better; for if she remains +as frank as she is at present to the end of the chapter she cannot help +making enemies." + +"I want to ask you a question, Bessie," said Elma, dropping her voice to +a low tone; "is it true that Kitty Malone is rich?" + +"Rich?" echoed Bessie. "I really cannot tell you." + +"I thought you might happen to know, as you have made such chums with +her. She is your greatest friend now at Middle ton School, is she not?" + +"Certainly not," replied Bessie. "What do you mean by asking me such a +strange question, Elma? Alice is far and away my greatest friend, and +after Alice I like Gwin best." + +"Oh, everybody likes Gwin Harley," said Elma; "who could help it? She is +so beautiful to look at, and she has such a delightful, lovely home." + +"I cannot see that her having a lovely, delightful home has anything to +do with our liking her," said honest Bessie. + +"Not to you perhaps," answered Elma, and a queer look, half-wistful, +half-defiant, came into her eyes. + +"I thought you would be sure to be able to tell me if Kitty were rich," +she said again after a pause. + +"I cannot. You must ask Alice--she lives with Alice. She has plenty of +pretty dresses, and all that sort of thing; but I don't know anything +about her having money." + +"I will run into the house this minute and ask Alice," said Elma. + +"Do, of course, if you are anxious; but I cannot imagine what difference +it makes to you." + +"No, it doesn't, but I am just curious on the subject. I won't keep you +long." + +Elma dashed into the house. She presently came back. + +"I have found out all about it," she said. + +"All about what?" asked Bessie. + +"What I went into the house for. How forgetful you are, Bessie!" + +"I was wondering if I might steal into the library," said Bessie. "I did +not get all the information I wanted about magnetic iron ore, but--Well, +what is it, Elma?" + +"Kitty Malone is rich, very rich, and----" + +"I can't see that it matters," said Bessie--"I mean to us." + +"Oh, but it matters a good deal. You don't understand. I shall certainly +vote that we ask her to join the Tug-of-War Society." + +"You will?" cried Bessie--a look of great pleasure came into her eyes. +"Then I am really glad, for to join such a society would do Kitty more +good than anything else in the world. Only the nicest girls will belong, +and she will get at once into the best set. She is as wild as she can +be, but she has got plenty of honor; and if she once gave her word that +she would do a certain thing no one would do it better." + +"Let us have her by all means. Let us put it to the vote as soon as we +go back to the house," said Elma. "Come Bessie, no slinking away in the +direction of that fascinating library. They have nearly copied the +rules, and we are to read them over and make comments." + +"I think it will be a delightful society," said Bessie. "I am sure it +will do me good." + +"It is meant to do us all good," said Elma. "Tug-of-war! I should rather +think it will be! How I shall hate that terrible effort to get to the +head of my class; not that I am stupid or dislike my lessons." + +"That would be the nice part as far as I am concerned," said Bessie; +"but oh! the fashionable sleeves and the stylish hair. Oh dear! I often +feel inclined to have my hair cut short." + +"Well, Bessie, you would be a fool if you did," said Elma. "Your +splendid hair; why, it's nearly down to your knees." + +"Yes, and that's the bother," said Bessie, "for mother insists on my +brushing it out every night for at least ten minutes, and all that time +is taken from my books. I tell you, Elma, I would gladly change with +you." + +Elma's locks were very thin and straggly, and she could not help +coloring at this left-handed compliment; but at that moment Alice +appeared on the balcony to tell the other two girls that the rules were +ready, and that they might return to the house. They did so, and the +rules were then read carefully over (by Elma on this occasion), +criticized by Gwin, Alice, and Bessie, and finally carried as far as the +original members of the society were concerned. The next important thing +was to put to the vote who was to be asked to join and who was to be +excluded. Several girls were named, and among them Elma suddenly +introduced the name of Kitty Malone. + +"Now what do you mean by that?" said Alice, her eyes flashing angrily. +"If Kitty joins the society, I, for one, will resign." + +"But you cannot, dear," said Gwin in her placid voice. "Remember you are +one of the founders; you are bound to uphold the society now for at +least one term of its natural life. At the end of that time you are +permitted to resign, but certainly not before." + +"Then, as I presume I have a vote with regard to the election of +members, I certainly do not wish for Kitty Malone," said Alice. + +"I think the votes must go by the wishes of the majority," replied Gwin; +"does any one else want her?" + +"I do." said Elma, holding up her hand. + +"And I think it would be good for her," said Bessie. + +"Dear me, Bessie, how spiteful of you to say that," cried Alice. + +"But I do think it, Alice; I do truly." + +"Why, Bessie?" asked Gwin. + +"Well, you know there are the sort of things mentioned in our rules +which would just give Kitty the sort of restraint she wants," began +Bessie. + +"Yes, I think I begin to understand you, Bessie. I too will vote that +she is asked to join," said Gwin. + +Alice looked very sulky, but did not say anything further, and soon +afterward the girls broke up their conference. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +ELMA. + + +Kitty Malone was admitted to a low form at Middleton School, her +acquirements being the reverse of distinguished. This fact did not give +her the smallest sense of discomfort. On the contrary, she was pleased; +and although her fellow-scholars were all younger and smaller than +herself, she soon became a sort of queen among them, laughing and joking +with them, and flying round the playground with half a dozen small girls +at her heels, feasting them with unlimited chocolate and telling them +stories. She soon got through her somewhat easy lessons, and was wilder +and more incorrigible than ever. The only sober moments she seemed to +enjoy were when she was with Bessie; for Bessie Challoner took a sincere +interest in her, and was very anxious to get her into a higher form, +where she would be with girls nearer her own age, and would thus be +forced to submit to more discipline than she could enjoy with the +younger girls. Bessie also hoped great things from the Tug-of-war +Society, and soon told Kitty that she was to be asked to become a +member. + +"I will certainly join when I am asked," answered Kitty. "I have not the +least idea what you are all driving at, but I'll become a member if it's +to be in the same society with you, my darling duck of a girl!" + +Bessie then read her a copy of the rules. + +"Why, then, you can't expect me to adhere to the first of them," was +Kitty's answer. "It's no, it's no to that, Bessie. I wouldn't tell a lie +for any earthly thing, and I could not drive myself to the head of that +class. Why, I wouldn't take the place from sweet little Agnes Moore for +all the world. Why it's tears I'd bring to the pretty eyes of the +creature. Oh, I couldn't get ahead of her. I'd just as lief be at the +tail--just as lief." + +"But, Kitty, have you no ambition?" + +"Well, no, dear, I don't think I have. I never could see the fun of +taking a prize from another; it's no use I'll be in the society, not the +least bit." + +"Well, all the same it would do you good," said Bessie, "for you know +you love your father, and you said you would try to acquire knowledge to +please him." + +"Oh, where's the good of reminding me of that," said Kitty, looking very +thoughtful and somewhat pensive. "Why did you come out with it, Bessie, +aroon; it's fretting the heart out of me you are. Dear old dad! there's +nothing I wouldn't do for him." + +"I am glad I did remind you, Kitty, for you know you have come here to +learn." + +"Ah, dear, I'll shut my ears if you talk any more in that sort of way," +said Kitty. "If I must learn, I must; but don't be reminding me of it, +there's a good creature--it's play out of school if it's work in." + +"Much work you do, Kitty! Why, I always see you laughing and winking +and twinkling your eyes, and pushing your feet about." + +"Pushing my feet about! And is it to keep them in a corner I would, +pretty feet like mine! Why, they are meant to be seen. That's the only +reason why I object to a long dress, because it does not show so much of +the feet and ankles. Ah, sure it's dear little ankles I have, as neat +and trim as you please." + +"Kitty, you are getting wilder than ever." + +"Well, darling, I'll cool down if you'll just let me give you one of my +big hugs." + +"I really can't; my ribs are quite sore. You must not do it to-day. I +told you, you might once a week, but no oftener." + +Kitty sank down on the nearest chair and looked comically miserable. + +"Go on with the next rule, Bessie," she said, after a moment. "I want to +belong to the Tug-of-war because it's close to you I'll be, darling. +What's the next rule?" + +Bessie read it out to her. + +"Why, now, it's the pink of a lady I am myself," said Kitty. "I was +always told I was; I don't mind that rule in the least. There won't be +much of a tug-of-war there; if Kitty Malone is to be a lady, why, a lady +she is. I wish you could hear Aunt Honora and Aunt Bridget talking about +our ancient family and our long and royal descent. Go on, Bessie; that's +not so bad as taking the prize from poor little Agnes. What's Rule +III.?" + +Rule III. was read aloud to Kitty, who shook her head solemnly several +times. + +"Now, to be frank with you," she said, "there's only one bond between +Alice and me, and that is we do make a froth of the things in our +drawers; and if we are both to struggle against our besetting infirmity, +it will go hard with us; but there, it will be fun to see her struggling +to be tidy and all to no purpose. I think I'll join on that account. I +shall like to see her fighting her drawers. I know if I'm put to it I +can keep mine twenty times tidier." + +"I am now coming to Rule IV.," said Bessie; this she read aloud with +some qualms, for she disliked it so very much herself. Kitty's eyes +flashed with pleasure. + +"Now, that is after my own heart," she cried, "fashionable dresses are +they, and hair done up in style. Mavourneen! mavourneen! you will have +to wear a fringe!" + +Kitty burst into peals of laughter. + +"Oh, Bessie," she said, "I have just been longing to attack that head of +yours. I'll bring my little tongs along, and I'll curl up such a lovely +fringe on your great intellectual forehead." + +"You'll do nothing of the kind," said Bessie, clasping her hands over +her head to protect her thick, long hair. + +"But you must, mavourneen, you must if you join the Tug-of-war Society. +Oh, it's beautiful you'll look! And I tell you what it is, Bessie, I'll +lend you the patterns of my new sleeves--those that are all crinkled +from above the elbow down to the wrist, and puffed ever so much at the +top, with little tucks, and little insertions, and little--" + +"Kitty, I won't listen to you for another moment. I shall try to dress +as neatly as I can, and perhaps I must twist my hair into a more stylish +coil at the back of my head, but beyond that I absolutely refuse to go." + +"Well, it's a delicious rule," said Kitty Malone, "and I hope I'll work +you round after a bit, Bessie. It seems but fair that if I yield to you +with regard to the other rules you ought to yield to me about Rule IV. I +am sure if I do take the prize from poor little Agnes Moore, and if I +never speak a word of slang, and if I keep my abominable drawers as neat +as a new pin, and all my clothes in perfect order, that you on your part +ought to wear a good thick, heavy fringe, and have your hair pointed out +ever so far at the back in the way it is worn in the present day. I'd +love to do it; and you have magnificent hair, Bessie, aroon! so you +have." + +"I must ask you to leave me now, Kitty," was Bessie's answer. "You are a +very funny girl, and there is a great deal that I like in you; but I +cannot neglect my studies even for you." + +"Oh, bother your studies!" answered Kitty. + +Bessie, however, was quite in earnest, and Kitty had to leave her. + +The next day there was another meeting at Gwin Harley's house, and the +members of the Tug-of-war Society were formally initiated into the +mysteries of what they had undertaken. About ten girls joined in all, +and it was decided to limit the number to these until the end of the +present term. In addition to the four chief rules it was also clearly +understood that the members were all to be absolutely faithful the one +to the other, that no member of the Tug-of-war Society was to speak +against another member; on the contrary, she was to uphold her through +thick and thin, to help her if possible, to aid her in moments of +difficulty, and to rejoice with her in moments of triumph. Once a week +the members were to meet at each other's houses. There they were to have +tea together, to discuss the rules if necessary, but at any rate to have +a pleasant time. As the summer advanced picnics were to be inaugurated +on Saturdays, and fun of some sort or another was to be the vogue. + +Kitty, who had dressed herself for this auspicious occasion in a dress +of the palest blue, with a silver sheen running in zigzag lines all over +it, whose black hair was curled up on her forehead and coiled +fantastically round the back of her head, whose eyes were shining and +wreathing themselves in all sorts of smiles, could scarcely restrain her +spirits while the rest of the girls were debating on the rules. + +Finally Gwin laid a little box on the table, and asked the new members +to subscribe their half-guinea each. Each girl dropped her +half-sovereign and sixpence into the box with the exception of Elma, +who, coloring a little, said she would bring it to Gwin the next day. No +one made any remark, as it was well known in the school that Elma was +anything but well off, and Gwin privately resolved to subscribe for her +without saying anything about it. + +Then the girls had tea in Gwin's own private sitting-room, and afterward +they wandered about the lawns, and returned home in the cool of the +evening. On this occasion Elma found herself side by side with Kitty +Malone. Kitty was walking quietly; she had exhausted some of her +emotions during the hours that she had played tennis, and laughed and +chatted with the other members of the Tug-of-war Society, and when Elma +put her hand on her arm, and looked up at her half-timidly and +half-beseechingly, Kitty stopped short, and said in her hearty, frank +voice: + +"And what may you be wanting with me, Elma? Is it a favor I can do you; +because if it is I am sure you are welcome to it with all the pleasure +in life." + +"You are a good-natured girl, Kitty," said Elma; "I always felt that +from the very first. Shall we drop a little behind the others? The fact +is I don't want every one to hear what I am going to say to you." + +"If it is a secret, darling, don't tell it to me," said Kitty, "for I +cannot keep it. I always say so quite frankly. I say to each person who +comes to me with a private confidence, 'Confide nothing in Kitty Malone, +for Kitty Malone is a sieve.'" + +"Oh, but it would never do for you to be that," said Elma, who was +somewhat alarmed and secretly greatly disgusted. "A girl is not worth +her salt if she tells what is confided to her by another girl; and of +course, now that you have become a member of the Tug-of-war Society, if +you are found blabbing any of our secrets at Middleton School I don't +know what will happen!" + +"I wonder what would happen!" cried Kitty; "it would be quite nice to +find out. Do tell me, Elma." + +"How can I when you don't understand," said Elma. "You would be wanting +in all honor; none of us ten girls would speak to you again." + +"Wouldn't Bessie Challoner, the darling?" + +"Certainly not. She could not; none of us could." + +"I shouldn't like that," said Kitty thoughtfully. "I did not know, when +I joined the Tug-of-war, that I was to be burdened with secrets. And am +I not to explain to any of the other girls why I am moving heaven and +earth to get to the very head of the class? Am I not to breathe the real +reason, when I am taking poor little Agnes Moore's place, and breaking +her heart, the pretty lamb? Is that so?" + +"You certainly are not," said Elma. "Dear me, Kitty, what a very +extraordinary specimen you are!" + +"Well, don't scold me, for pity's sake," said Kitty. "I am so sick of +every one telling me that I am an extraordinary specimen. In Ireland +they think I am a very fine specimen; but here! oh, it's nothing but +holding up of hands and rolling up of eyes, and 'Oh, dear, let us get +out of her way!' and 'Oh, dear, how queer she looks in her grand +clothes!' and--and----" + +"Do stop talking, Kitty. You are the most awful rattlepate----" + +"There, now, on you go," said poor Kitty. "I'm a rattlepate, am I? It +seems that I can never speak but I get into somebody's black books." + +"You don't get into mine, I am sure," said Elma. "But I think you ought +to be greatly obliged to me for telling you what is your plain duty with +regard to the Tug-of-war Society. It is just like a secret society; our +rules are our own, and not a soul who is not a member must know anything +about them." + +"Well, I won't tell," said Kitty. "When I say a thing I stick to it. I +won't split--there I that's flat and I suppose I am obliged to you, +Elma." + +"Yon ought to be," answered Elma. "Why, what a terrible scrape you would +have got into. And now, then, Kitty, I have something else to tell you." + +"Well, and what is it?" asked Kitty. + +"First, are you not pleased that you are a member of the Tug-of-war +Society?" + +"To be sure I am. I think it is awfully nice of all you girls to ask me +to join." + +"It is a great distinction," continued Elma; "a new girl like you, one +who is not known a bit in the school! Out of the whole school we have +only selected ten, including the founders, and you are one. You ought to +think yourself in rare luck." + +"So I do." + +"And you ought to be very grateful." + +"So I am." + +"But do you know whom you ought to be grateful to?" + +"Well, I suppose to Bessie." + +"Not a bit of it; it is to me you ought to be grateful. But for me you +would not be a member of the Tug-of-war Society." + +"But for you, Elma?" + +"No." + +"Was it you who got me asked to join?" + +"I was the one who insisted on your being asked to join us. I put it +plainly to Bessie and to Gwin, and they quite agreed with me. Alice was +the only one who voted against you." + +"Oh, just like her, spiteful thing!" said Kitty, coloring with +annoyance. "Well, I am sure, Elma, I am obliged to you, and if there's +anything I can do--" + +"I am coming to that," said Elma; "it's not much, but if you could--" + +"Could what? Why, I'll do anything. Is it one of my gowns you want to +borrow?" + +"No, no. What extraordinary ideas you hare!" + +"Oh, there you begin again," said Kitty. "I never can speak right. Well, +what can I do for you, Elma?" + +"If you could--just until next Monday--if you could lend me some--some +money," said Elma, coloring as she spoke, her voice faltering, and her +eyes seeking the ground. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +THE LITTLE HOUSE IN CONSTANTINE ROAD. + + +Kitty stared at her companion for a moment, then she put her hand into +her pocket and took out a very fat sealskin purse. She opened it and +held it out to Elma. + +"Help yourself," she said. + +Elma looked into the purse--golden sovereigns lay there in delicious +rows. There must have been at least fifteen sovereigns in the purse. + +"Take as many as you like," said Kitty; "you are heartily welcome." + +"You don't mean it; you can't," replied Elma, turning very pale. + +"Why, what are you hesitating about? You said you wanted some money. +Dear heart alive! everybody wants money in Ireland, we are always +borrowing one from the other. Take as many of those yellow boys as you +fancy, and say no more about it." + +"I am obliged to you, Kitty," said Elma. "I think you are quite +splendid; but can I--do you really mean it--can I take five?" + +"Five, bless you! Take them all if you want them. I have only to write +to the dear old man at home, and ask him to send me a fiver or a tenner, +and he'll do it. You need have no qualms, and----" + +"But when must I give them back?" + +"Whenever you like." + +"You don't really require them on Monday, do you?" + +"I don't require them at any special date. Pay me when it is convenient. +Here, you may as well have ten." + +"I could not; it is too much," said Elma. She put her hands behind her +back, her teeth were chattering, and she was trembling all over. She was +afraid that Kitty must read her through and through. + +"Oh, what is the use of bothering?" cried Kitty Malone. "If you won't +take ten, take eight. Let me see, that leaves me seven over. Seven +sovereigns. I don't ever want to spend any money here. Of course I may +require a new dress when the fashions change. I must keep strictly up to +date now that I have joined the Tug-of-war; but in case I do, I'll just +send a wire to Aunt Bridget in Dublin and she'll send me over a beauty. +Ah, she's a dear old soul, Aunt Bridget is. There, Elma, do take the +money and be quick about it." + +Elma--feeling sick and low, hating herself as she had never hated +herself before--dipped her greedy fingers into Kitty's sealskin purse, +and soon extracted eight of the golden sovereigns. These she slipped +into her pocket. + +"I cannot tell you how grateful I am to you," she said. + +"Not another word!" cried Kitty. "I have forgotten all about it already. +Now shall we have a run? I want to catch up to Bessie; I have not had a +word with her for the whole of the day." + +Elma no longer required to keep Kitty Malone in the background. She had +now gained her object. Hoping against hope to extract from half a +sovereign to fifteen shillings from the generous-hearted Irish girl, she +suddenly found herself the lucky possessor of eight whole sovereigns. +Never in the whole course of her life had Elma possessed anything +approaching such a sum. Her mother was very poor. She had only one +sister, a daily governess. All Elma's people were hard up, as the +expression goes, and Elma herself only attended Middleton School because +an aunt paid her school fees. Hardly ever could the girl secure even +half a crown for her own pleasure. She hated poverty, she detested the +small privations which slender means involved. She was in no sense of +the word a high, refined character; on the contrary, there was something +small in her nature, something little about her. She had ever cringed to +the wealthy. She had made friends with Gwin Harley, who was rich, +high-spirited, and generous, but also very conscientious, and with +abundance of common sense. A glance had told Elma that she could never +ask Gwin to lend her money; but Kitty--innocent, frank, generous +Kitty--had proved an all too easy prey. + +At that moment Elma despised Kitty as much as she was grateful to her. +The eight pounds, which she might return whenever she liked, lay lightly +in her pocket; she almost danced in her excitement and sense of triumph. +Of course Kitty would never tell--that went without saying; and in the +meantime she was rich beyond her wildest dreams. The girls had joined +forces when they came up to the stream which led across a wide field +called the Willow Meadow. Kitty linked her hand inside Bessie's arm, and +Elma and Alice walked side by side. + +"Well," exclaimed Alice, "how did you get on with her, Elma?" + +"With whom?" asked Elma. + +"Oh, need you ask? That detestable Kitty Malone. I saw you sucking up to +her, and wondered why." + +"I wish you would not use such horrid, vulgar words, Alice," said Elma. +"You know you are really breaking the rules of the Tug-of-war. We are +requested not to make use of slang." + +"I forgot," said Alice. "But if it comes to that," she continued, "I +believe I shall have to leave the society if I can never express my +feelings with regard to Kitty Malone." + +"But do you really dislike her as much as ever?" asked Elma, who, shabby +and mean as she was, in her poor little soul could scarcely bring +herself to run down generous Kitty just then. + +"Dislike her!" cried Alice. "I hate her--there! I suppose that's flat +and plain enough." + +"It certainly is." + +"But you don't mean to say--it is impossible, Elma--that you see +anything to like in her?" + +"Well, of course," answered Elma--who wished to propitiate Alice, for +her nature was to be all things to all men--"I can see at a glance that +she is not your style; she has not got your cleverness and refinement, +dear Alice." + +"Oh, bother!" cried Alice. But all the same she was pleased, and when +Elma tucked her small hand inside of her arm Alice did not shake her +off. + +"Any one can see that," continued Elma Lewis; "but I don't think she is +quite so bad as you paint her, Alice." + +Alice's private opinion of Elma was that she was a little toad, and she +now managed to extricate herself from the smaller girl's clasp. + +"I shall never like her," she said. "There is no good in your praising +her to me. If you mean to be her friend you must do so from a double +motive." + +"How uncharitable of you!" cried Elma, coloring crimson as she spoke. + +"Oh, I can guess it very well, my dear," pursued Alice. "But for you she +would not be a member of the Tug-of-war. What would have been a +delightful society, a pleasure to the best girls at Middleton School, +will be nothing whatever but a ridiculous farce, a scene of high comedy, +something contemptible, now that Kitty Malone has joined it. But for you +she would never have been asked to join. Why did you do it, Elma?" + +"For no reason in particular," answered Elma. + +"That is certainly not true, and you know it." + +"I cannot think why you speak to me in that tone," said Elma. "What have +I done to you that you should think so badly of me?" + +"Oh, I don't think badly of you, Elma, not specially; but I have always +seen that whatever you did, you did with a reason. In your own way you +are clever, you are extremely worldly wise. There are certain people who +would commend you; but you are not like the rest of us. You are not like +Gwin for instance, nor like Bessie, nor like me. Yes, I will frankly say +so, I am better than you, Elma. I have not got your double motives for +everything. You are only a girl now; I don't know what you will be when +you are a woman!" + +The thought of the eight sovereigns so comfortably reposing in her +pocket made Elma able to bear this very direct attack. She determined to +take it good-humoredly; there was no use whatever in quarreling with +Alice. Accordingly she said cheerfully: + +"You may think what you like of me, Ally, but I hope in the course of +years that you will find I am not so bad as you paint me." + +Shortly afterward the girls parted, and each went on her way to her +special home. Bessie ran briskly up the short avenue which led to her +house, waving farewells to her companions as she did so. Alice and Kitty +were obliged to content themselves one with the other; and Elma, in the +highest good-humor, her heart bubbling over with bliss, departed in the +direction of her own humbler residence. She had to walk quite a mile and +a half, and at the end of that time she found herself in a much poorer +part of the large suburb where Middleton School was situated. The houses +here were of a humble description--not even semidetached, but standing +in long, dismal rows, a good many of them backing on to a +railway-cutting. These houses boasted of no small gardens, but ran flush +with the road. They were built of the universal yellow brick, and were +about as ugly as they could well be. + +Elma paused at No. 124 Constantine Road. As she did so, a high, rasping, +and fretful voice screamed to her from an upper window: + +"You are later than ever to-day, Elma, and mother has been fretting +herself into hysterics. Do come in at once and be quick about it." + +Elma mounted the two or three steps which led to the hall door, and +pulled the bell with considerably more energy than was her wont. The +sovereigns were in her pocket; they made all the difference to her +between misery and happiness. She entered the house in high good-humor. + +"What is it, Carrie?" she called to the fretful voice, which was now +approaching nearer. + +The next moment a slatternly-looking girl appeared at the head of the +stairs. + +"It's very easy for you to ask what is it," cried its owner, speaking in +high dudgeon. "You promised to be in between five and six, and it is now +between seven and eight. Here is all my chance of an evening's fun +knocked on the head. It's just like you, Elma; that it is." + +"Oh, never mind now; please don't scold me," said Elma. "What is +it--about mother; has she been bad again?" + +"Oh, it's the usual thing; she has had one of those dismal letters from +father. I can't imagine why she thinks anything about them. It came just +when we were all sitting down to dinner, and she began to cry in that +feeble sort of fashion." + +"Oh, don't, Carrie; she will hear you," said Elma. "Pray go back to your +room, and I'll be with you in a minute. I have something to tell you. +You won't be quite so miserable when you hear my news." + +Carrie stared at Elma, and then slowly backed until she reached a very +minute bedroom which she and Elma shared together. + +Elma ran briskly upstairs. Turning to her right, she knocked at a +certain door; waited for an answer, but none came; then turned the +handle and went in. The Venetian blinds were down here, and the form of +a woman was seen lying in the center of a big bed. + +"Is that you, Elma?" said a voice; and then the head was buried once +more in the pillows, and no further notice whatever was taken. + +"Yes, mother, I am here," answered Elma. "I was thinking you might like +something nice for your supper--a crab or a lobster, or something of +that sort. Which would be your preference, mother?" + +"A crab or a lobster!" muttered Mrs. Lewis. "You might as well ask me if +I should like a bottle of champagne, or some caviare. One is about as +likely to be forthcoming as the other." + +"I tell you you may choose," said Elma. "I have my hat still on, and +I'll go as far as the fishmonger's, and bring in either a lobster or a +crab." + +Mrs. Lewis raised herself on her elbow as Elma spoke. + +"What are you dreaming about?" she said. "Where have you got the money?" + +"Never mind. I have got the money. Which Would be your preference?" + +"Oh, crab, dear; crab. I like it when it's well dressed; but then Maggie +never can do anything properly." + +"I'll dress it on this occasion," said Elma. "You shall have a good +supper--crab and salad, and--There mother, do keep up heart again; you +give way too much." + +"Ah, child," said poor Mrs. Lewis, "I have had another terrible letter. +He says he is starving; he cannot get work. I made the greatest possible +mistake in allowing him to leave the country." + +"You could do nothing else," said Elma, with a little stamp of her foot. +"You know he would not help you in any way; he had to leave. But there, +mother, you shall tell me the dismal news after tea. You will feel ever +so much better when you have partaken of the dainty meal I mean to get +for you." + +Mrs. Lewis did not say anything further. Elma bent down, touched her +parent on her brow with the lightest possible caress, and then stepped +on tiptoe out of the room. + +"Poor mother!" she muttered. "It is surprising the kind of things that +comfort one; she is soothed at the thought of crab for supper with +salad. Well, that is all right; she will be as amiable and petting to me +as possible for the rest of the day. Now, then, for Carrie. A loose, +untidy, badly, hung together girl like Carrie is a trial to any sister. +However, I know the sort of thing that pleases her. I must be very +careful of my treasure-trove. I shall not spend it lightly; but in +giving my family small unexpected surprises it will be doing me an +immensely good turn." + +Elma now entered the room where Carrie was fuming up and down. + +"Well, what have you to say for yourself, miss?" she cried, when her +younger sister put in an appearance. + +"Only that I am very sorry, Carrie; but to be honest with you, I quite +forgot that you wanted to go out this afternoon. Did I not tell you +that I was engaged to tea at Gwin Harley's?" + +"You are forever with that odious girl," said Carrie. + +"Gwin Harley an odious girl! What in the world do you mean?" + +"What I say. Oh, of course I have seen her, and I know she's pretty, or +some people would think her so; in my opinion she's vastly too stuck up; +and so Sam Raynes says. Sam saw her last Sunday in church, and he said +she wasn't a bit his style." + +"Oh, pray, don't quote Sam Raynes to me," said Elma. "Well, Carrie, of +course I had tea with Gwin, and of course she's about the nicest girl in +the world; and Kitty Malone was there, that scamp of an Irish girl. Oh, +she's not so bad when you get to know her better. And Alice Denvers was +there, and Bessie Challoner. We had quite a nice time. Of course I told +you about that society that I have joined. Well, there are about ten +girls members now, quite the elite of the school. I believe we shall do +a vast lot of good." + +"What does it matter to me," said Carrie, stamping her foot. "I have +lost my pleasant afternoon with Sam. He and his sister promised to meet +me. I was to go with them to the Crystal Palace. Oh, it's too +provoking." + +Carrie still fumed up and down the room. + +"And I have such a dull time," she continued; "those children are quite +past bearing. They wear the very life out of me. See what that little +imp of a Claude did to my dress this afternoon." + +As Carrie spoke she held up a decidedly shabby dress, which bore a huge +rent at one side. + +"He caught it in his nasty little boot," said the girl. "He was +scrambling up on my knee, and made such a fuss, and there happened to be +a tiny hole, and then he wriggled and wriggled, and made it worse and +worse. The skirt is not fit to wear. I don't know what I shall do. I +really have not a blessed farthing to buy myself another new thing." + +Elma made a careful calculation. + +"How much was that stuff a yard?" she asked suddenly. + +"What does it matter, Elma? It's worn out now, and there's an end of it. +You cannot buy me another gown; so where's the good of talking." + +"But perhaps I can," said Elma dubiously. + +"My dear Elma what do you mean?" + +"Well, I am not quite certain, of course," said Elma; "and it would have +to be very cheap--very cheap indeed. But what color would you like, +Carrie?" + +"Oh, blue," said Carrie, "rather light in shade. I love blue; and Sam +says I look sweet in it." + +"If you begin to quote Sam again I don't think I'll give you sixpence +for anything. You know perfectly well that I loathe and detest him." + +"Oh, that's your way," said Carrie. "You think it is very fine to detest +all the young men in our set; but I tell you Sam is a right good fellow, +and he has his ideas as much as anybody. He is going to get a raise, +too, at Christmas, and--" + +"Are you engaged to him, Carrie?" asked Elma suddenly. + +"Not yet. Oh, we don't think of any such thing; but I like to go with +him. He is great fun, and so is Florrie. Florrie doesn't mind a bit how +often she acts gooseberry." + +Elma went and stood by the window. She looked gloomily out. How shabby +and sordid her home was; how miserable everything seemed! Carrie was +really a trial to any sister. Elma wondered if in the future she would +have to tolerate Sam Raynes as her brother-in-law. A sick feeling crept +over her. She was not a particularly refined girl; but in her school +life she associated with girls of a totally different caliber from poor +Carrie, and a shudder ran through her frame as she thought over her +sister. + +"If you mean anything by that talk about a new frock, you had better +speak out plainly," said Carrie. "If you can really give me money to get +the stuff, something pretty and cheap, I could buy it to-night; there is +still plenty of time." + +"Put on your hat and we'll go out at once," said Elma. + +Carrie rushed to her wardrobe, took down her frowzy, over-trimmed hat, +stuck it on her towzled head, drew a pair of gloves up her arms, and +announced herself ready. The two girls ran briskly downstairs. Mrs. +Lewis called from her bedroom after them: + +"Where are you two going?" she said. "Am I to be left alone in the +house?" + +"No, Maggie is in the kitchen," called out Carrie. + +"Oh, I am sick of being by myself, and I want my supper." + +"I must go out to choose the crab, mother," said Elma. + +"Oh, the crab," replied Mrs. Lewis in a mollified tone. "If you are +going really to get one, Elma, be sure you see that it has plenty of +coral in it, and choose nice, crisp lettuce. I care nothing for crab +without lettuce." + +"All right mother; I'll manage," said Elma. + +The girls found themselves in the street. + +"So you are going to get mother crab and lettuce for supper," cried +Carrie. "Then I suppose after all you don't mean to give me money to buy +stuff for a new dress?" + +"Yes, I do, Carrie, if you'll only have patience. I said I would, and +there's an end of it." + +"But how have you got the money?" + +"Never you mind; I have got it." + +Carrie walked on, her spirits rose, and she began to talk in her high +staccato voice, allowing each person who passed to hear what she was +saying. + +"This is Thursday," she said. "I shall get up at daylight to-morrow +morning, and I shall cut out the dress and put it in hand. I am always +home between four and five in the afternoon, so I can work at it again +until late at night. Then on Saturday, thank goodness! there's a whole +holiday. Oh, I shall manage to get it done by the evening, and Sam and I +can have a jolly time together in the park on Sunday." + +"We will buy the crab first," said Elma, "and then we can call at +Macpherson's on our way home." + +"They have sweet things at Macpherson's," said Carrie. "You really are a +very good-natured old thing, Elma." + +"I am glad you think so," said Elma, her lips parted in a slightly +satirical smile. + +Carrie, now beaming all over with good-humor, assisted in the choosing +of the crab; she further volunteered to carry this luxury home, and +suggested that radishes would be a great addition to the lettuce. + +"Is there anything else you think mother would like?" asked Elma. + +"Oh, a bottle of really good Guinness' stout," said Carrie. + +"Capital, Carrie! Why, you are getting quite a head for housekeeping. +We'll give mother such a good supper, and it will do her a world of +good." + +"Poor old dear, so it will," said jubilant Carrie. + +Having purchased the materials for an appetizing meal, the girls now +entered a large establishment which, being supported by people of +extremely slender means, could only afford to indulge in the cheapest +articles. Carrie desired the shopman to exhibit cheap materials in +different shades of blue. She finally selected one, turquoise in color, +and wonderfully pretty, which cost the large sum of sevenpence +three-farthings per yard. She ordered the required length to be cut, and +Elma took out her purse to pay for it. + +She did not at all want her sister to see how many sovereigns that purse +contained, and turned her back slightly as she laid one on the counter. + +"Well, how you got it baffles me!" cried Carrie. + +"Pray, don't speak so loud," said Elma; "they really will think that I +stole it if you go on giving me those sort of staccato rises of your +eyebrows. It's all the better for you; that sovereign has got you a new +dress." + +"So it has, and you are an old darling," said Carrie. "I'll tell Sam +all about you on Sunday, Elma. By the way, what a good idea; wouldn't +you like to come with us? There's Sam's cousin, Maurice, a capital +fellow--Maurice Jones." + +"Oh, no; don't speak of him," said Elma. She gave a shudder, and turned +her head aside. + +The materials for the dress were purchased, even down to the linings and +buttons; and Carrie, holding her parcel tucked comfortably under her +arm, started home, Elma accompanying her. Carrie was so excited and +delighted with her dress that she had no time even to think of the +wonderful problem as to how Elma had got the money. + +When they reached the house Elma ran into the kitchen and prepared to +dress the crab. She did so well, and when the dainty little meal was +upon the table, ran upstairs to bring her mother down. + +"Now, mother, get up at once," she said. + +"Get up. Oh. I can't," said Mrs. Lewis; "I have got such a splitting +headache." + +"But the crab is downstairs, and I have dressed it myself, just in the +way you like best. I have brought in a little cayenne pepper, too, for I +know you don't care for crab without it; and the lettuce is wonderfully +crisp and fresh, and there are some radishes. Oh, and Carrie reminded me +that you would not care for crab without your stout." + +"I know," said Mrs. Lewis in a plaintive voice; "your father would never +allow me to touch crab or lobster without stout. Ah, but those good old +days are gone!" + +"Not quite mother, for there is a bottle of Guinness's waiting at your +disposal." + +"Oh, is there?" said Mrs. Lewis. She raised herself on her elbow. "Then +I think I'll go down," she said. + +"Well, make yourself smart, mother. I shall be waiting for you, and so +will Carrie." + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +THE HEAD-MISTRESS AND THE CABBAGE-ROSE. + + +Middleton School, which consisted of from six to seven hundred girls, +was kept in a state of discipline not so much by punishments as by a +very strict code of honor. There were certain things which no Middleton +girl who respected herself would ever dream of doing. There were other +things which she would do as a matter of course. For instance, she would +uphold her school through thick and thin, allowing no outsider to run it +down. To be a member of Middleton School insured her friendship with all +the other girls in the school. The _esprit de corps_ of this celebrated +day school was exceptionally strong. Even in after-life its members met +as friends, never forgetting that they were at one time schoolfellows in +one of the best and most thorough colleges of learning in the whole of +England. + +As the fees for instruction were necessarily low, and as the school was +therefore open to all classes of girls, from the very rich to those who +had but limited means, a rule, and a very strong one, was that all money +and class distinctions were to be absolutely abolished. The girls, so +long as they belonged to the school, were absolutely on the same +footing, notwithstanding the fact that their home-lives might be very +far removed the one from the other. Among the most emphatic rules of +the school--a rule which, if it were disobeyed, would cause ostracism on +the part of the girls and the gravest reprimand, not to say a chance of +expulsion, on the part of the teachers--was the borrowing of money. +Money was supposed not to be mentioned between the girls; and as to a +poor girl borrowing from a rich, it was considered about the blackest +crime which could take place in Middleton School. Now, Elma, knew this +fact perfectly well, and when she took the eight pounds from Kitty +Malone she was aware of the grave risk which she ran. More depended on +her keeping up a good character in the school than her companions were +at all aware of. She was sent to Middleton School by an aunt who to a +certain extent had adopted her--her mother could not possibly afford to +pay the fees, small as they were. + +Elma knew well as she lay down to sleep that night that if the little +transaction between herself and Kitty were known she would be +practically ruined for life. No other girl belonging to the school would +lend money even if it were asked for, so strong was the feeling on this +head; but Kitty knew nothing about it; she had not been long at +Middleton, and the subject had not been mentioned to her. Elma sincerely +trusted to Kitty's never alluding to it. Kitty had promised not to tell; +and Elma believed, wild and erratic as she was, that when her word was +once given, she would respect it. When she had asked Kitty to lend her +money she had intended only to take half a sovereign; she wanted this in +order to pay her subscription to the Tug-of-war Society; but when Kitty +generously opened her purse and told her to help herself, the temptation +had proved far too strong. Before she quite knew what she was doing she +had taken eight sovereigns; had put herself absolutely into Kitty's +power, and had run the chance of being ruined for life. Still, that +first night she slept soundly, and awoke in the morning with a sense of +bliss. She had still a little over seven sovereigns; not her own, and +yet in one sense quite her own, for Kitty had said there was no hurry +about the replacing of the money. Oh, yes, she was quite certain that no +one would find out. She opened her sleepy eyes, yawned, and saw Carrie +sitting at the window, busily employed cutting out her dress. Elma +remarked crossly at the blaze of light. + +"Oh, don't say you mind it, you old dear," cried Carrie. "I can't see +unless I have plenty of light, and it's most important how I cut this +sleeve. I mean it to be puffy and yet not too puffy, and the elbows must +fit exactly in the right place. What a pity it is, Elma, that you and I +are not the same sort of figure. I am nearly double as big as you. It +would be so convenient if you could be my model; then I might fit my +things like a glove. Ah, well, I suppose there's nothing perfect in the +world." + +Elma turned on her other side. + +"If you talk to me any more," she said, "I shall become so cross as to +be unbearable. Go on with your dress if you must, but don't speak." + +Elma returned to the land of dreams, and Carrie cut and snipped, and +basted and pinned, until it was time for her to go downstairs to +breakfast. Elma got up at her usual hour, ate her breakfast with +scarcely a remark, and started for school. When she got there the +different members of the Tug-of-war Society were hanging about the +doors. The school was not yet opened and the girls who belonged to the +society nodded to one another and whispered and smiled. Among the party +waiting at the door were Alice Denvers, Kitty Malone, and Bessie +Challoner. Gwin Harley had not yet arrived. It was never Gwin's stately +way to be either too early or too late for school; she generally +appeared on the scene, driving up in her pretty little phaeton, just as +the clock struck nine. The other girls always made way for this dainty +little turnout, and Gwin would spring carelessly to the ground, give a +direction to the smart tiger who sat behind, and who immediately took +the reins, and then, turning with a gay nod to her companions, would +enter the school with them. + +Gwin was certainly the pride of the school. The girls who were not her +absolute friends looked at her with awe, wonder, and admiration. The +girls who were her friends bragged of the fact to their companions. It +was a pleasure even to look at Gwin, for, although she never overdressed +herself, she was always so wonderfully dainty--her neat little shoes, +her lovely stockings, the fine quality of her cambric handkerchiefs, the +delicate scent which clung to them, the glossy braids of her ever +exquisitely arranged hair, and the very set of that perfectly plain +sailor hat with its band of white ribbon, were all the acme of +perfection. Oh, they all betokened wealth and taste, taste and wealth. +No wonder the girls worshiped Gwin. She never boasted of her wealth, +she never brought it prominently forward; but for all that it pervaded +her from the top of her head to the point of her pretty bronze shoes. + +Kitty now gave Gwin an earnest and longing look. There was a peculiar +expression about Kitty's face: a sort of new, thoughtful look, as though +something was worrying her and causing her to cudgel her brains to quite +a remarkable extent. Kitty Malone had never yet been affected with +shyness, nor was she shy now. Just as Gwin's carriage appeared and the +other girls made way for it as was their wont, and Elma approached quite +close to Alice, meaning to make some remark to her, what she never +afterward remembered, Kitty ran straight up to Gwin and clasped her by +the hand. + +"I want to say something to you very badly," she began. + +"How do you do, Kitty?" answered Gwin in her pleasant high-bred voice. +"You want to say something to me? But the bell has just rung; we must go +into school." + +"I mean after school," continued Kitty. "Can I walk with you during +recess?" + +"Oh, but please, Gwin," cried Elma at that point, "you promised to walk +with me to-day; don't you remember?" + +"Yes, and you promised to walk with me, Miss Harley," exclaimed a girl +of the name of Marcia Tyndal. + +"But it is so important, Gwin," pleaded Kitty, bringing that peculiar +Irish quality into her voice which it was difficult to resist. + +"Ah, now do, Gwin," she continued; "do let me walk with you just during +this recess. The others may have you for every other recess until +Christmas; but do let me be with you just for to-day." + +"I think you must, Kitty," said Gwin. "Elma, you won't mind, will you? +Marcia, you and I can have to-morrow instead of to-day; is it a +bargain?" + +"Oh, I don't mind," said Marcia Tyndal in a good natured voice, +shrugging her fat shoulders as she spoke. + +Then the girls trooped into school, prayers began, and immediately +afterward they all assembled at their different classes. + +Kitty was restless and nervous, she could not settle to her work. She +was more _distrait_ and inattentive even than usual. The younger girls, +who delighted in her, and quite prided themselves on having her in their +class, nudged her in vain. + +"Kitty," whispered one little girl quite three years Kitty Malone's +junior, "if you don't open your history book you won't have your lesson +ready when Miss Worrick comes." + +"Oh, I know all that stupid history," cried Kitty in a low voice. "Don't +bother me, Annie, asthore. I can't be teased. I have got something in +the back of my head." + +"Something in the back of your head?" whispered Annie. + +"Yes, yes; but hush, alanna! I can't let it out; it's bothering me +entirely. There, if I must look at the stupid history, I must. What part +are we doing, Mary Davies?" + +"Oh, it's about Charles the First." + +"Poor martyr! Shame to England to cut off his head!" Kitty bent over her +book, but soon her erratic fancy had started off in another direction. +She was sent to the bottom of the class when the history lesson came on, +and was looked at with growing disfavor by Miss Worrick, a particularly +painstaking and earnest young teacher. + +"Really, Miss Malone, if this sort of thing goes on I must report you," +she said. "It is pure inattention. If you wish to take any position in +the school you must make up your mind that while in school you must +work." + +"And while out of school I must play," retorted Kitty. "Ah, then, it's +little of the play I get. If I had my share of the play I could do my +share of work." + +"Come, you must not answer me," said Miss Worrick. "Now, sit down and +read up that chapter in your history. You will not be allowed to go out +during recess this morning." + +"Not go out during recess?" cried Kitty in horror; "but it's most +important. Ah, now, do let me out; just excuse me to-day, won't you? +I'll be as good as gold to-morrow, and better; but excuse me to-day; +please, please. Say you will; for I really must go. I was to meet Gwin +Harley, the darling; and it's put out she would be awfully if I wasn't +with her. You'll let me out to-day, won't you? Please say yes." + +"I do not understand you, Miss Malone. When I say a thing I mean it. +You are not to go out during recess." + +Kitty's bright face fell; the cloud which had more or less hovered +round her during the entire morning deepened. She sank into her seat +with a heavy sigh. + +"Never mind, Kitty; we all of us have to stay in sometimes," whispered +little Mary Davies. + +"Take a chocolate out of my pocket, darlin', and don't talk to me any +more," was Kitty's answer. "I am sad past bearing. Not to see Gwin when +I had arranged it all; but I will, I must! There, take a second +chocolate if you want it; they are full of cream. But just leave me to +my own thoughts for a bit. I am so worried I don't know whether I am on +my head or my heels." + +"Silence, girls--no whispering!" called the mathematical teacher, who +now came on the scene. + +Poor Kitty's morning began badly, and it certainly was destined to go on +badly. None of her lessons were prepared with the slightest care; she +went down lower and lower in class, and each teacher gave her an +imposition or some other punishment. When recess came she alone in the +whole class was required to remain in the room. + +The rest of the girls looked at her with pity. + +"She's such an old dear, although quite the idlest and most ignorant +person I ever came across," said Mary Davies to her companions. + +"Yes," whispered another little girl with fat rosy cheeks and round +eyes; "but did you ever taste such chocolate creams? Why, they must +cost a halfpenny apiece. I do love to sit next to her; she says I may +dive my hand into her pocket as often as I like." + +"Oh, she's an old love!" echoed all the girls: "but what a pity it is +that she won't learn." + +"She does not want to learn," said Mary Davies. "Learning would spoil +her; she is a pet." + +Meanwhile in the playground Gwin Harley waited in vain for Kitty to join +her. + +"Does any one know where Kitty Malone is?" she said, addressing one of +the girls in Kitty's class. + +"She is kept in for an imposition; she did not know her history, and +Miss Worrick said she was to stay in," answered Mary Davies. + +"Oh, well, I suppose I can see her another time," said Gwin. At that +moment she met Elma's anxious eyes. + +Elma was just about to dart to the side of her friend, when, to the +amazement of all the girls, Kitty walked calmly across the playground. + +"Oh Gwin, I must speak to you; it is about Alice. You know, you and +Alice are great friends. Things get worse and worse, and they are almost +past bearing. Last night I heard her sobbing in bed. She sobbed and +sobbed, and at last I could stand no more of it, and sprang out of bed, +and bent over her and said: 'Alice, is it about me you are crying?' and +she said: 'Oh, yes, Kitty, it is;' and I said, 'And why 'Oh, yes, +Kitty?' What has poor Kitty done to you?" + +"'I am not happy,' answered Alice. 'Since you came everything has +changed; you have made my home miserable to me. I don't like your ways.' + +"'Have you made up your mind never to be friends with me?' I asked. + +"'Yes,' said Alice. 'I wish you would go away.' She sat up in bed then +with her tear-stained face, and looked at me ever so earnestly. 'Tell +mother that you would rather go to some other house--that you won't stay +here. I never could stand vulgar girls, and you are one.' + +"Oh Gwin, I felt so mad. You don't think me a vulgar girl, do you?" + +"Tell me the whole," said Gwin in a low voice. + +"Oh, there is not much more. Alice was in a regular temper. She buried +her face in the clothes, and though I tried pinching her, and pulling +her, and petting her even, not another word would she utter. Now, you +must see for yourself, Gwin, that if this sort of thing goes on I shall +have to return home, and then the old dad will be fretted, and he will +think that I don't want to learn manners nor to get learning into me. Oh +dear, I don't want to fret him, although I hate England. I have just +been wondering if you would speak to Alice." + +"Yes, certainly," answered Gwin. "I--" Her words were interrupted. + +"Miss Malone, do I see you in the playground?" said a stern voice. Miss +Worrick had appeared on the scene. + +"Why, then, yes, Miss Worrick, you do. It's a fine day, isn't it; and +the air is most refreshing," said Kitty in her most impertinent tones. + +"Do you know that you have distinctly disobeyed me? I forbade you to +leave the schoolroom during recess. How dared you do so?" + +"There wasn't much daring about it. I walked to the door, opened it, and +came out. I had made a previous engagement, and it was not at all +convenient to break it. I told you so at the time, did I not?" + +For answer Miss Worrick took Kitty by the arm and led her across the +playground. + +"I must take you to Miss Sherrard," she said. "I cannot manage a +disobedient girl like you." + +She opened a side door, and, still holding Kitty by the arm, led her +down a long passage and into a small room, where she desired her to wait +while she fetched the head-mistress. + +Miss Sherrard was a little woman, but she had a native dignity which is +beyond and above all mere personal appearance. She had a keen and +commanding eye, a somewhat pale face, an upright little figure. She was +not only short in stature, but slight; nevertheless, there was not a +mistress in the great school who did not hold her in awe as well as +admiration, and not a girl, with the exception, perhaps, of Kitty +Malone, who did not do her reverence. + +When the door was shut behind Kitty, she drummed impatiently on the bare +mahogany table near which she had been placed, then walked to the window +and looked out. From her position she could catch a glimpse of Gwin +Harley pacing up and down the playground with Elma Lewis. She saw Alice +come up and talk to Gwin; she noticed that Gwin and Elma paused, then +that Alice slipped to the other side of Gwin, and the three walked +slowly up and down. As they walked they talked. Alice nodded her head +once or twice; Elma made emphatic grimaces; Gwin alone looked quiet, +calm, and stately. + +"They are talking about me," thought the Irish girl, and an angry +feeling rose in her heart. "Is it for this I have left the dear old dad, +and the beautiful home, and the animals, and Aunt Bridget, and Aunt +Honora? Oh, is it for this I have left dear Old Ireland, may her heart +be blessed! to come here to be slighted, to be made little of, to be +joked at! Am I Kitty Malone, or am I somebody else? Oh! my heart will +break, my heart will break!" + +"Miss Malone, I am sorry to hear this of you," said a very calm, very +distinct, and withal very kind voice, just at Kitty's back. Kitty turned +abruptly, and said aloud: + +"Oh, and did you overhear me?" She then involuntarily dropped a courtesy +to the head-mistress. + +Miss Sherrard shut the door behind her. + +"I am sorry," she began, "to learn from Miss Worrick that you are +showing insubordination and disobedience." + +"Why, then, now, and won't you let me tell my own story in my own way?" +said Kitty. + +In spite of herself, Miss Sherrard gave an involuntary smile. It soon +vanished, but Kitty had caught the glint in the eye and the tremble +round the lips. "Why, then I see at a glance that you have the kind +heart," she said; "you thought to keep it in, but I saw it breaking out +just then. You'll let me tell my own story, won't you?" + +"That seems fair enough," said Miss Sherrard. She seated herself as she +spoke on one of the bare, comfortless chairs, and looked full up at +Kitty. + +Kitty was dressed according to Rule IV. of the Tug-of-war Society. She +wore a decidedly fashionable dress, the sleeves well puffed out at the +shoulders, fitting nicely at the elbows, and with ruffles of lace, real +lace, round the wrists. Round Kitty's throat also there were ruffles of +lace; the neck of her dress was cut a little low, showing the soft, full +contour of her exquisitely-curved throat. Her waist was clasped with a +belt of solid silver, and in front she wore a great bunch of +cabbage-roses. The cabbage-rose has a scent which, when once it assails +the nostrils, can never afterward be forgotten. Miss Sherrard, in spite +of herself, gave a little sniff. + +Quick as lightning Kitty saw it, and detached the bunch of roses from +her belt. + +"Now, will you have them?" she said. "Ah, do now, just to please me, +Kitty Malone; they came all the way from Old Ireland this morning. Stay, +I'll pin them into the front of your dress. Hold easy a moment dear +woman, and you'll have as neat a little bunch as ever you clapped your +two eyes on." + +Miss Sherrard could not help once again letting that ghost of a smile +play round her lips, and then vanish. + +"But really," she said--"oh, thank you for the roses; yes, they are very +sweet; yes, delicious! She bent her head and sniffed quite audibly. + +"Ah, then, aren't they refreshing, and aren't they melting the anger +down in your heart? Say they are now--say they are. You see you never +had an out-and-out wild Irish girl to manage before. Well, and what is +it you want with me? I'll be as civil as you please, and as willing to +listen to the words of wisdom, if only you'll let me first tell my own +story." + +"It is only fair that you should be allowed to tell your own tale," +said Miss Sherrard; "but please understand that I am very angry. Miss +Worrick's story has amazed me. Do you know. Kitty Malone, of what you +are accused?" + +"Well, I do, and I don't; but I should like to hear the crime spoken of +by your pretty lips. What is it? Something black of course; black things +are always laid to the door of Kitty Malone." + +"The crime, Miss Malone, is the very grave sin of disobedience. You must +know that in a great school of this kind, if there were not perfect +obedience there would be no order at all." + +"True for you, it looks like it; but then, as far as I can see--and I +have watched all the girls pretty closely of late--I am the only black +sheep. Now, I should think that one black sheep in a great big orderly +place of this kind would make a sort of diversion. You would all be +after her, and joking at her, and thinking which of you could get her +under control. Well, I am the black sheep, and I suppose I am sorry." + +"Don't talk any more, Kitty; listen to me." + +"Yes; what is it?" + +"You have been disobedient; you were very inattentive over your history +lesson, not knowing it at all. Miss Worrick says, as a matter of fact, +you did not even trouble to open your book, and when the time came for +you to go through your lesson you were not able to answer a single +question. For this extreme carelessness she desired you to stay in the +schoolroom during morning recess. She said you pleaded hard that she +would excuse you, not liking to take the punishment which you richly +deserved; but Miss Worrick, very justly insisted on her word being +obeyed. What then, was her astonishment to see you in the playground +walking calmly up and down with Gwin Harley." + +"Yes, dear; and what else could you expect?" answered Kitty. + +"What else could I expect? I don't understand." + +"Well, was it likely now that I would stay in that close, stifling +schoolroom when the sun was shining and there was a bird on a tree +outside singing to me as loud as ever it could? And I had made an +arrangement with Gwin Harley to walk up and down with her during recess, +and the darling girl had put off two others for me, and was waiting for +me. Don't you think it was about natural that I should disobey Miss +Worrick, whom I never cared twopence for, and go out to Gwin Harley, +whom I love? Of course I knew I was disobedient, and I supposed she +would punish me; but I didn't think she would have me up for you to +lecture me." + +"You behaved very badly indeed," said Miss Sherrard; "and you are now +talking in an extremely silly way." + +Kitty bowed her head; the light went out of her eyes, her face turned +pale. + +"What punishment will you invent to torture me with?" she said at last +in a low voice. "I suppose I have done wrong, and I am willing to take +the punishment. What is it?" + +"Of course you must be punished," said the head-mistress; "it would +never do to allow disobedience is the school. You see, Kitty--" + +"Oh, bless you, bless you, for calling me by my Christian name," +muttered Kitty Malone. + +"Kitty, I am inclined to take you into my confidence." + +"Are you, indeed? I declare you're an old dear!" + +"You have come to school to learn, have you not?" + +"Not a bit of it," answered Kitty; "I came to school to please the old +dad." + +"Your father?" + +"Yes, the dear old dad, the dearest, the best in the world." + +"But what did he send you here for?" + +"Well, I suppose to get knowledge and manners. Ah, bad luck to them! and +I suppose also to tame me down a bit. He said he never could manage that +at Castle Malone." + +Miss Sherrard once more gave that faint involuntary smile. + +"Your father sent you here," she said, "to put you under discipline. +While you are in this school, my dear girl, you must obey me, and also +the other teachers. If you are disobedient the other girls will be +disobedient, and then where should we all be?" + +"It would be a lark!" muttered Kitty, with sparkling eyes. + +"Don't interrupt, and please listen. I should be very sorry to send you +back to Castle Malone in disgrace. I should be sorry to have to write to +your father in order to tell him that his Kitty, whom he loves--his +bright, pretty, lovable daughter--can never learn manners nor +accomplishments, nor be tamed in the very least. There are from six to +seven hundred girls in this school, who all now know about your very +daring act of disobedience. Were I not to punish you they would be +astonished, and some of them might even go to the length of copying your +behavior. You see this for yourself, don't you?" + +"Oh, I see it plain enough," answered Kitty; "plain as a pikestaff. +What's the punishment to be?" + +Miss Sherrard hesitated. Once more she looked at Kitty; Kitty's eyes +were as bright as stars. + +"You need not be afraid," said the pupil in an encouraging voice. "I am +nothing of a coward; I'll take anything in reason. Is it a flogging you +are thinking of ordering for me?" + +"Oh, no; we never flog in this school," said Miss Sherrard in a shocked +voice. + +"Why, then, if it is something in the shape of learning a lesson it will +go cruel with me. I don't care for learning, and----" + +"I am afraid, Kitty, that I must give you the kind of punishment which +all the school may know about. All the school now knows of your +disobedience, and it must also be well aware of your punishment." + +"Good gracious! this sounds exciting," answered Kitty. "I am to have a +punishment that all the school will know about." + +"Yes, it is this. To-morrow morning, just before recess, you are to go +up to Miss Worrick, and tell her before the entire school that you are +sorry you disobeyed her; you are then to offer to stay in during the +play hour." + +"If that's all," said Kitty, "it is not much of a bother. I am to say I +am sorry, and I am to stay in to-morrow. You won't object to my +bringing--" + +"I'll hear of no conditions," answered Miss Sherrard, starting to her +feet. "Go away now, my dear girl, and please remember that your father +sent you here to learn, that I trust you will learn, and that you will +also endeavor to be good to--to please me, Kitty." + +Kitty's eyes filled with sudden tears. + +"You are very kind," she murmured. "I know I should soon learn to love +you. You wouldn't mind letting me give you a hug, would you?" + +"I will certainly kiss you, dear, but no demonstration, please. Kitty, I +know you have a warm heart; but don't let it lead you into mischief. +There is much for you to learn in England, as I doubt not there would be +much for an English girl to learn in your country." + +"Ah, but it is the dearest land in all the world," said Kitty. + +"I am sure it is to you; but say no more now. I will speak to Miss +Worrick; she will expect you to do what I have desired to-morrow." + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +PADDY WHEEL-ABOUT. + + +The next day there was a whisper through the school that Kitty Malone +was about to do public penance. She had already made more or less +sensation in that part of the school where she worked. In her own class +the girls, as has already been stated, adored her; but the other girls +also looked at her with interest. They admired her dress, her free, +careless gait, her upright, erect figure, and the bright, happy glance +in her eyes. They all thought her charming, and the expression of her +face was often so comical, the shrug of her shoulders so ludicrous, that +at a glance she set the girls tittering. + +On this special occasion she sat down between her favorite Mary Davies +and Agnes Moore, and whispered to the former: + +"Ah, then, darling, it is not your place I'll be taking to-day; sure my +head is bothered entirely. But I have got all kinds of nice things about +me. Do you know that I sat up late last night putting a pocket in the +left side of my dress as well as the right, so now the girl on each side +of me can have as many chocolates as she has a fancy for? You dive in +your hand whenever you feel the least bit inclined for a sweetie, Agnes; +and you do the same, Mary Davies; and, Mary, you might pass one on now +and then to that poor, little, thin Katie Trafford at the other end of +the class." + +It was certainly impossible for a girl like Kitty Malone not to be +popular; and the other girls valued her, and thought themselves highly +privileged to be in the same class with her, dunce as she was. + +Kitty had learned her lessons a little better, but the thought of the +public confessions which she was about to make rested heavy on her soul. +It made her restless; and her lessons, although they had been better +prepared, gained her no more marks than on the previous day. + +"I wonder how I ought to do it," she whispered more than once to Agnes +Moore. + +"To do what?" asked Agnes, who was a very earnest little student, and +whose dream was that she might get a remove at the end of the term. +"About what, Kitty? I wish you would not interrupt me." + +"Oh, bother it, dear. Have a chocolate, won't you? What are your lessons +compared to my perplexities? What ought I to say? Ought I to drop a +courtesy or go on my knees? There was an old romance which I found in +the garret at home; and when the heroine did wrong she always dropped +upon her knees and folded her hands, and raised her eyes toward +heaven--is that the way I ought to do it?" + +"Don't, don't, Kitty; you'll make me laugh, and then I'll be sent down. +Please, don't talk to me any more." + +Kitty turned her attention to Mary Davies. + +"Would you, Mary, go on one knee or on two? If you dip your hand down to +the very bottom of my pocket, you'll find some caramels--some people +like them better than chocolate creams." + +"You must not talk to me any more or I'll get into disgrace," whispered +Mary in a low, frightened voice. "Look, Miss Worrick has come into the +room. Now do open your history book, there's a dear girl." + +Kitty bent her curly head over her book. She was really interested in +the cruel fate of the martyr-king, but at that moment she saw nothing +but the picture she was conjuring up each moment before her excited +imagination--the tall girl asking pardon of the little teacher. Was the +girl to go on her knees? + +"It really would be better," thought Kitty. "I'd be lower than her then. +It does seem ridiculous that the big should ask pardon of the little, +and--Oh, Miss Worrick, I beg your pardon; were you speaking to me?" + +"I was, Kitty. Stand up; I am just going to lecture." + +The history lesson began. Kitty did no better than yesterday. It came to +an end. The mathematical teacher took her class, and then the great bell +was rung for recess. Just at the moment when its last note echoed +through the vast school Miss Worrick came a step forward into the room, +and held up her hand to arrest the movement of the classes. She looked +at Kitty with an expectant expression. Kitty returned her gaze, and said +nothing. Kitty Malone felt glued to her seat. For a moment every nerve +seemed paralyzed, her face became crimson, her eyes filled with ready +tears, she looked down, the great tears splashed upon the desk before +her. At that instant she encountered the vindictive and delighted +glance of Alice Denvers. + +Kitty had confided all her trouble to Alice on the previous night, and +Alice at the time had pretended to give a little sympathy; but where was +her sympathy now? + +"I hate her," thought the Irish girl. "No one else would be glad to see +me so miserable." + +"You have something to say to me, have you not, Miss Malone?" said Miss +Worrick in her stiff, precise voice. + +Kitty staggered to her feet. + +"I don't want to say it a bit," she grumbled. + +"Come forward, my dear; come forward." + +Kitty left the protection of her desk, and staggered across the room. +Miss Worrick had mounted a little platform, all the other teachers stood +waiting, and the girls waited also. Kitty looked round, the eyes in each +face seemed multiplied fourfold--the room seemed to be all eyes. She +longed for the mountains, for her father, for Laurie, for the old home. +She hated the school, she hated England. Why was she to be publicly +disgraced? + +"Oh, it is very wrong indeed to ask me to do it," she cried. Then the +following words rushed out: "Miss Worrick, I am sorry I disobeyed you +yesterday, and I'll stay in class to-day. Yes, I will stay; but I hate +every one of you, and I hate England, and I wish I was back again in +dear Old Ireland. Oh, dear! oh, dear! oh, dear! Why was I ever sent into +this horrid, cold, freezing land? Oh, my heart is broken! my heart is +broken!" + +Kitty's sobs were distinctly heard across the great schoolroom. She +returned to her seat. Miss Worrick with a wave of her hand dismissed the +rest of the girls. Kitty bent her head low down upon the desk before +her, and sobbed louder and louder. At last she felt a hand resting +lightly on her shoulder. + +"I know I did it dreadfully, Miss Worrick," she said; "but it was so +bad. Why did you make me, why did you make me?" + +"There, Kitty, it is over now, and you will never disobey your teacher +again as long as you live," said a kind voice, and Kitty raised her eyes +to see, not the face of Miss Worrick, but that of the head-mistress. + +"Oh, Miss Sherrard, how could you make me do it?" she sobbed. "It wasn't +in me. None of the Malones could beg anybody's pardon, and I couldn't go +on my knees when the moment came because they felt stiff, they had no +joints in them. I could not do it properly; no, I could not." + +"You did it, dear, but not very well. You did it, however, and you have +learned your lesson. Now come with me into my private sitting-room. You +and I will have lunch together, and I will excuse you from any more +lessons to-day." + +Kitty Malone never forgot that next hour. Miss Sherrard was an ideal +head-mistress. She had the keenest sympathy with girls. In her long +experience she had met girls of every shade of character, the bold, the +ambitious, the timorous, the idle, the frivolous, the noble, the +earnest. She knew all about the Christian girl as well as the pagan +girl; all about the girl who had a terrible battle with her own evil pro +pensities, and the girl whose nature was so amiable, so gentle, so +sweet, that life would be comparatively easy for her. But although she +had been head-mistress of the great Middleton School now for several +years, she had never before met quite such an extraordinary specimen as +Kitty Malone. Where, however, others would see nothing but a spirit of +frivolity, a love of admiration, dress, pleasure, in Kitty, Miss +Sherrard peeped below the surface and discovered some really noble +qualities. She determined to be very gentle to this wild, willful +girl--to take her, in short, as she was. + +"Oh, I wonder you care to speak to me," said Kitty, when her sobs having +ceased, she stood looking half-repentant, half-rebellious in Miss +Sherrard's private room. + +"You are not to be the subject of our conversation at all for the +present, Kitty," said Miss Sherrard. "Lunch is ready, and you must be +hungry. Would you like to go into my room--it is just next to this--and +wash your hands and brush out your hair?" + +Kitty looked at Miss Sherrard's small and beautifully-kept hands. She +was fastidious to a remarkable degree about her personal appearance. + +"I dare say my hair is somewhat untidy," she said. "I might as well take +a squint at myself in the glass. I never like to look ugly. Is my nose +very red, Miss Sherrard?" + +"Never mind about your appearance," said Miss Sherrard, who could not +help feeling slightly annoyed at what she considered such a very +irrelevant remark. + +"I expect I am a fright," said Kitty standing up and talking half to +herself and half for the benefit of the head-mistress. "Crying always +spoils me. Now, I knew a girl at home, and the more she cried the +prettier she got. She used to let her tears roil down her cheeks in +great drops, and never attempted to wipe them away, and her nose never +got red, and her eyes only got bigger and quite dewy. Now, as to me when +I cry, my nose----" + +"Kitty, will you please remember that I am waiting for lunch," +interrupted Miss Sherrard. + +"Oh, I beg your pardon, ma'am," answered Kitty. She ran into the next +room, examined herself critically in the glass, arranged her hair, +dipped her hands into hot water, and came back looking spruce, bright, +pretty, and once more restored to the highest good-humor. + +"I said yesterday that I would love you, ma'am," she said, as she seated +herself at the other side of the appetizing board. "Oh! what a dear +little pie! I wonder is it pigeon pie" + +"No, it is lamb pie," answered Miss Sherrard. "Will you help yourself?" + +Kitty cut herself a generous slice. + +"I like all sorts of good things," she said. "I am sure I was meant to +do nothing in life but dress well, and look pretty, and have the nicest +food to eat, and----" + +"How dare you?" interrupted Miss Sherrard. Her words coming firm and +strong, the expression on her kind face arrested the idle girl's silly +remarks. + +"What do you mean?" asked Kitty. + +"I mean this, Miss Malone, that you are a girl with a considerable +amount of ability----" + +"Oh, now that I have not got." + +"With a considerable amount of ability," continued Miss Sherrard, "and +with a great many talents." + +"Talents! I thought talents meant genius. Now, I have always and always +been told that I was a dunce of the dunces. It's not joking me you are, +is it, Miss Sherrard?" + +"No, Kitty; I am in very sober earnest. You have been sent to me to make +something of you." + +"Well, my dear woman, I am afraid you won't make much. The fact is, I am +wild through and through. I come of a wild stock. I wish you could see +us at home, and Laurie, and----" + +"You must tell me about your home afterward," said Miss Sherrard. "But +now I have something to say about yourself." + +As she spoke, Miss Sherrard drew her cup of coffee to the side of the +table, leaned back, and looked fixedly into the bright and lovely face +of the girl who sat opposite her. + +"You have read your Bible, have you not?" she said. + +"My Bible!" cried Kitty. "Yes; I read it every day." + +"I am glad to hear that." + +"Why, you don't suppose we are a lot of heathens at Castle Malone, do +you, Miss Sherrard? Father has prayers every morning, and we all troop +in, every one of us, into the big hall. Oh, I wish you could see the +hall, and the pictures of my ancestors, and----" + +"Afterward you shall tell me about them," interrupted Miss Sherrard. "So +you do read your Bible every day. Then I dare say you happen to know +the beautiful story, or rather parable, spoken by Christ himself about +the talents?" + +"Yes, I love that story; only I don't think it applies specially to me, +for I have not got any." + +"Have not you? Perhaps I can find that you have." + +Kitty gazed at her mistress very earnestly. + +"What is it I am good in?" she asked after a pause. "Is it my English? +Bless you, they tell me it's awfully Irish." + +"It certainly is, Kitty." + +"Then, I don't know any music, although I can sing and whistle. Oh, I +can whistle anything. There's not an air that Laurie plays (it's he that +has the genius for music, bless the boy)--but there's not an air he +plays that I can't whistle it right up and down, and with variations +too." + +"Yes, my dear, yes; but I was not thinking of this special talent. Now, +let me tell you something that you have got." + +"What? Please speak." + +"You have plenty of money." + +"I never thought that was a talent," cried Kitty. + +"I should think it a very great and responsible talent. You have been +given that money to do something for God. He wants you to use it for +Him. Then, also, you have a very bright, attractive, loving manner." + +"Oh, I feel every word I say. It's not manner," said Kitty. "You don't +suppose I'm a hypocrite, do you?" + +"No, I think on the contrary you are very sincere. We will now admit +that you have got two talents; you have got money and you have got a +pleasant manner. I think also that you have got a third, and I may be +able to prove to you that you have got a fourth." + +"Dear me, this is most entertaining!" exclaimed Kitty. "So I have really +got two talents, and you think I have more. What is the third?" + +"I don't wish to make you vain; but you have--yes, I must tell you--a +remarkably pretty face." + +"Ah, now, what a darling you are! I always thought you were sweet. What +part of me do you admire most, the eyes or the mouth? I have the real +Irish eyes I know--gentian-blue, yes, that's the color--and my +eyelashes--aren't they long?" + +"We need not discuss your beauty piece by piece," said Miss Sherrard. +"You are pretty, and I am willing to admit it. Now, a bright face like +yours, with an attractive manner, is a gift. Then, besides, you +have--you will be astonished when I say this--lots of becoming dress, +which adds to the charm of your appearance. Kitty, if you were all you +might be--if you would use that money which God has given you, that +beauty which God has given you, that attractive manner which God has +given you, all for His service--why, you could do a great deal in the +world. You could make it a better place, a brighter place, a happier +place. Now, my dear child, your father has trusted you to me. He wrote +to me a great deal about you before you came to Middleton School----" + +"Dear old dad!" cried Kitty. + +"He loves you with all his heart." + +"I should think so, the darling blessed man--may the saints preserve +him!" + +"As your father feels so strongly about you, and as I promised him to +do what I could for his child, will you help me, Kitty? Will you +remember that you are equipped for the battle of life much more bravely, +much more strongly than most of the other girls in Middleton School? Use +your beauty for Him, dear; use your attractive manner for Him." + +"You make me feel very solemn," said Kitty. She rose. "I will try and +think about it," she said. "I wish I was not quite such a giddypate; but +I'll try and think about it." + +Miss Sherrard kissed her. + +"And now I want you to do something more," she said. "You won't be able +to be a better girl than you were in the past if you don't pray to God +to help you; and when you pray, Kitty, ask Him to teach you to restrain +your feelings a little, not to let them all rush to the surface, to keep +a little back. Thus you will gain strength of character, and--and be all +the better for it, my child." + +"You are very good to me," said Kitty. "I don't mind what I do for those +I love. I suppose now you would wish me to learn my lessons perfectly +every day?" + +"I certainly should." + +"And to--to turn poor little Agnes Moore from the head of her class?" + +"Well, Kitty, I cannot say anything about that. II you do better work +than Agnes Moore you will get to the head of the class and she will go +down; but I doubt your being able to do so, for Agnes is a very clever +and a very diligent little pupil. But I want you, dear, soon to get out +of that class, for it is a great deal too young for you. I want you to +be with girls of your own age. We are yet one month to the end of the +term. By the end of term I want to be able to tell you that you have got +a remove. And now, dear, good-by. Remember, I shall watch you, and--yes, +I shall pray for you." + +"You are very good to me," repeated Kitty; and she walked out of Miss +Sherrard's presence with her head lowered, and a mist before her eyes. + +For the next few days Kitty was strangely thoughtful. She did not speak +nearly so much as usual, she felt inclined to go away by herself, and +she was much puzzled about her talents. Miss Sherrard's words had made +quite a deep impression. She learned her lessons with care, and had +every chance, so her teachers told her, of a remove at the end of term. +Even Alice found less to say against her. Kitty began to look on her +school life as something roseate and delightful; but all these things +were to come to a speedy end. + +On a certain afternoon she got home to find Alice out and Mrs. Denvers +seated in the drawing-room with a great basket of mending before her. + +"Oh, what a lot of work! Would you like me to help you?" said Kitty. + +"Very much, dear; but what kept you so late? Oh, here is a letter for +you." + +"A letter!" cried Kitty eagerly. "Oh, it is from Laurie. Hurrah! +hurrah!" + +She forgot all about her offer to help Mrs. Denvers with her darning, +tossed the letter in the air two or three times, and then sank down on +the nearest ottoman to read it. These were the words on which her eyes +rested: + +"DEAR OLD KITTERKINS: I have got into the greatest bother of a mess that +ever assailed a poor gossoon, and if you can't help me, old girleen, +well, I shall be done brown, as the saying is. The whole matter concerns +Paddy Wheel-about. The poor creature has been getting queerer and +queerer lately, and father has been ever so much worried about him. I +didn't know a word of this, mind you, at the time, but learnt it +afterwards; and it makes my bit of a frolic all the blacker, I can tell +you. Father got Dr. Milligan to go and see Paddy in his cabin at the top +of Sleeve Nohr, and the doctor said that the poor old boy was going off +his head as fast as he could, and we must be careful not to give him any +shock. Well, but to come to my part of it. You know that coat of his, +and what diversion we have had out of it from time to time? You made one +of the patches yourself, don't you remember, Kitty? We always told him +that in each patch he had concealed a sovereign. Well, hot as the days +are, he has been wearing that coat, and a figure of fun he did look. The +Mahoney boys and Pat and I thought we would take a rise out of him; so +one night when he was asleep we stole up to his lair and got hold of the +precious coat. We bundled it up and were off with it. We had to cross +the lake, in the old boat with a hole in the bottom, in order to get +home in time, and what do you think happened? Up came a squall, the boat +was upset, and Paddy's coat sank to the bottom of the lake. We swam to +the shore and thought it would be an easy matter to fish up the old coat +on the following morning; but although we dragged and dragged, and Pat +and I both dived down to the bottom a good dozen of times, the coat had +sunk in the deep mud and we could not find it, no nor a sign of it. +Well, of course, our one hope was that no one should know; but what was +our horror to be confronted by no less a person than Wheel-about +himself. You know that craze he has about never speaking. Well, he spoke +to us and pretty sharp too, and told us he knew we had taken the coat, +and didn't he look thunders and daggers at us, and we funked it so +awfully--yes, I will confess it, Kits, your brave Laurie funked it like +anything--for Wheel-about did really look like a roadman; at last there +was no help for it--we had to out with the truth. Oh, didn't he raise a +yell louder than anything you ever heard, and then I told him that if I +could not get back the coat I would give him ten pounds for certain by +Saturday next. He said if I did he would lie quiet for a bit and not +tell the governor, so I want you like a blessed girleen to lend me the +money. Send it off the very instant you read this; for if you don't the +saints alone know what will happen. We are certain to be sent to a +school in England, at least I am. From what you tell me, Kitterkins, of +that place, I should think it would break our hearts to smithereens. Now +look sharp and send the money. Your loving brother, + +"LAURIE." + +"Oh, dear!" exclaimed Kitty starting to her feet. "Do you mind my going +out at once, Mrs. Denvers?" + +"Certainly not, my love. Tea will be ready at five o'clock. Are you +going far?" + +"Only to Elma Lewis' house. I want to see her; it is awfully important." + +"But Elma lives quite two miles from here." + +"Oh, that does not matter. I am sure to find my way. It is most urgent," +said Kitty. + +She rushed out of the room, pinned on her hat, and a moment later was +walking down the street as fast as she could go. She crossed a field +and a common, and after a time got into that part of the town where Elma +lived. By dint of asking half a dozen children and three or four +policemen she at last reached Constantine Road, and presently found the +right house. She ran up the steps and sounded a rattling rat-tat on the +knocker. The moment she did so a girl with a mop of untidy red hair +peeped up at her from the area below. + +"Come and open the door at once," called Kitty. "Why do you keep a lady +waiting?" + +The girl soon appeared, tying on her cap and apron as she did so. + +"I thought as they was all out for the day," she began, "--Oh, miss, I +beg your pardon." + +Kitty, notwithstanding her rather rude words, presented a very charming +spectacle as she stood on the steps. She was dressed not only in the +height of the fashion, but wore such a perfectly captivating little +toque at the back of her head as to fire the fancy and take the little +wit which she possessed out of Mrs. Lewis' maid-of-all-work. + +Maggie had never seen anything so captivating nor so ravishing. A wild +desire to make a toque like it to put on her own towzled locks on the +following Sunday caused her to stare so hard at Kitty with her mouth +wide open that she did not hear a word that young lady was saying. + +"Are you in a dream?" asked Kitty Malone. "I want to see Miss Elma +Lewis. Is she at home?" + +"Miss Helma? No, miss, that she ain't," replied Maggie. "Oh, I beg your +pardon, miss; but it's it's the bonnet at the top of your head." + +"My bonnet?" said Kitty. + +"Yes, miss. Oh, I do beg your pardon, miss--I was took all of a heap. +Yes, miss, I'm attending now. But oh, if you would just turn your head a +little." + +"You must be mad," said Kitty. But her eyes began to sparkle. + +"Do listen to me," she continued; "it's most important. Is Miss Elma not +at home?" + +"No, miss; she's out for the day, and so is the missus and Miss Carrie. +They're all out a-pleasuring in their different ways, and they has left +me at home to drudge. I'm the household drudge, miss, and no wonder I'm +took with anything so pretty. Do you mind telling me, miss, if them +wiolets is real?" + +"Oh, the violets in my toque--are those what you are staring at?" said +Kitty. "Well, now, I'll tell you what I'll do--I'll give you the whole +bunch if you'll let me come into the house and write a letter to Elma, +and if you'll further faithfully promise that you will give it to her +the instant she comes home." + +"To be sure I will, miss. Come right along in. Oh, what a beautiful +young lady you is!" + +"Every one tells me I am beautiful," thought Kitty. "It really is very +pleasant. I am more flattered here than I was in Ireland. People told me +there I had a face like cream and roses, or cream and strawberries, and +father used to say that I had washed it in the fairies' dew, and Laurie +would tell me that I was a bouncing girl and no mistake; but then Aunt +Honora was always saying: 'Kitty dear, beauty is only skin deep, and +don't be set up by it, child. Handsome is that handsome does, Kitty.' +Oh, how she would deave me with that old proverb. But here they seem to +think beauty is a talent, and I ought to be desperately proud of it. Oh, +faith, but why do I think of these things when my precious duck of a +Laurie is in the mess he has got into. He go to England to break his +heart, the darling! Not a bit of it; not while his Kitty has her wits +about her." + +Meanwhile Maggie conducted this ravishing and welcome visitor into the +tiny sitting-room, furnished her with pen, ink, and paper, and then +began to hover about near the door in order to get another view of the +lovely cap. + +Kitty bent her head over the sheet of paper and indited a letter in hot +and furious haste: + +"DEAR ELMA: I am so sorry, but I must ask you to return that eight +pounds to me immediately. I want it for Laurie. He has got into trouble +and requires it; so don't keep me waiting a single minute if you can +help it. I am so sorry you are out; but will you bring it to me the +instant you return home? It is of the most vital importance. I am in +dreadful trouble, and nothing else will save Laurie. Yours in great +haste, KITTY MALONE." + +Having written the letter, Kitty looked round for an envelope; Maggie +also searched to right and left, but could not find one. + +"But it will be all right, miss," she said. "I'll lay it just as it is +flat out on the table, and Miss Helma will see it the moment she comes +in." + +"Thank you," answered Kitty. "And now I must go. Be sure you give it to +her her the instant she returns, and tell her to come straight to me +with the money, for I must send it off to-night whatever happens. It is +a money transaction; and you understand, don't you? What is your name?" + +"Maggie, miss." + +"Well, you understand, Maggie, that any transaction connected with money +is very important." + +"Like the Bank of England, miss?" + +"Yes, to be sure, and--" + +"Oh, miss, forgive me; but you promised me them wiolets." + +"To be sure I did." + +Kitty snatched them from her toque, flung them to Maggie, who caught +them in an ecstacy, and a moment later was running home as fast as she +could. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +IN CARRIE'S BEDROOM. + + +Of the Lewis family the first who came home that special evening was +Carrie. She walked straight into the little sitting-room, where Kitty +Malone's letter lying on top of the blotter immediately attracted her +attention. It need not be said that she instantly read it, and not only +once but twice. + +"Ha! ha! Elma, I have got you into my power at last," she said to +herself. "So that accounts for the money. Now, what did you borrow it +from that queer Irish girl for? But now that I know a thing or two. I +may be able to draw on you to a considerable extent. Return it! not +you--you are not likely to; but I think I'll be able to frighten you. I +shall certainly do my utmost." + +It will be seen from these remarks that Carrie was by no means an +amiable girl. She ran up to her room, took off her hat, and surveyed +herself in the pale blue dress which had been purchased with some of +poor Kitty's money. She then returned to the sitting-room, and folding +up the letter, deliberately put it into her pocket. As she was doing so +Maggie came in to lay the tea. + +"Oh lor! Miss Carrie," cried the maid-of-all-work as she spread the +not-too-clean cloth upon the table, "whatever 'as become of that bit of +writin' that was lyin' atop of the blotter here?" + +"What bit of writing?" asked Carrie, turning calmly round and surveying +her. + +"Oh, a letter miss; I don't know what was in it, but it was a money +transaction, as important as the Bank of England, and it was to be give +to Miss Helma the very instant she come 'ome. Didn't you see it, miss, +when you come in?" + +"No, I didn't," said Carrie promptly. "I saw no letter of any kind. +Here's the blotter, there is nothing on it. It may have got between the +folds, however." She took up the thick pad of blotting-paper and shook +it, but no letter dropped out. + +"There," she said. "I have not the least doubt that Fido jumped on the +table and took it up and ate it." + +"Oh lor! miss, you don't think so?" + +"I should not be surprised. Fido can never resist paper; he is always +pulling it about and chewing it." + +Maggie looked frantically under the table for even stray pieces of the +letter, but she could not find any. + +"If he had ate it," she said at last, fixing Carrie with a very +determined stare--"if he had ate it he would have left some bits about. +I don't believe it; I believe you 'as took it Miss Carrie. Oh, miss, for +shame; and it was as important as the Bank of England--a money +transaction, miss, what ought not to be trifled with. I can't read +writin', though I can read books fair enough; but the young lady was +awful put about." + +"What young lady?" asked Carrie. "You had better tell me everything." + +"Oh, it was that Irish young lady, Miss Malone. She come here with the +most beautiful 'at on (no, it was wot they calls a talk), and the +wiolets in it they might 'av growed, I could a'most smell 'em; and she +come in distracted like, and writ the letter, and told me I was to give +it to Miss Helma the very moment she returned, and that Miss Helma was +to take her the money to-night--what money is more than I can tell, for +I didn't think Miss Helma ever had any. And she said it was an important +transaction. And I said, 'Is it like the Bank of England, miss?' and she +said, 'Yes, to be sure.' Why, Miss Carrie, you have not gone and hid the +letter, 'ave you? That would be real mean of you." + +"Look here," said Carrie; "what did you say about those violets?" + +"Why, she gave 'em to me, miss; she took 'em out of her cap, and she +give 'em to me, and I was to give the letter to Miss Helma. It was a +fair and honest bargain, and I must keep my part of it miss." + +"Would you like some roses to put with the violets?" said Carrie, making +a careful calculation. + +"Roses, miss? That would be prime, and very seasonable, wouldn't they +miss?" + +"Yes, violets and roses look very pretty together, and I'll pin them +into your hat and furbish it up. And, look here, Maggie, you can go out +with your young man on Sunday. I'll manage it--I can. I will stay at +home." + +"Oh, Miss Carrie, you don't mean it?" + +"Yes, I do. I'll manage it; but I'll do it only on a condition." + +"What is that miss?" + +"That you don't every ask me another question with regard to that +letter, and that you never, never on any account breathe a word of it to +Elma. If you do, why----" + +"Oh, Miss, it don't seem fair." + +Poor honest Maggie walked to the window and struggled for a few minutes +with her temptation. The thought, however, of roses to add to the +violets, the thought also of Joe, whom she dearly loved, to walk with +her on the following Sunday, proved far too seductive. She struggled +with her enemy for a few minutes, and then she fell once and for all. + +"I'll have the roses, Miss Carrie. I can't resist them and the thought +of Joe on Sunday. Joe is so passionate loving, miss, I can't resist +'im." And then Maggie rushed out of the room. + +She flew to her attic, threw herself by the side of her bed and burst +into sobs. + +"But I oughtn't to 'ave done it," she said several times--"I oughtn't to +'ave done it. If it worn't for the roses and for Joe I'd 'ave stood up +to her; but as it is I was too tempted. But all the same I oughtn't to +have done it--no, I oughtn't to 'ave done it!" + +Meanwhile Carrie up in her bedroom was thinking hard. Here indeed was a +revelation! So Elma possessed eight pounds, or nearly eight--for Carrie +knew that her blue dress, and the lobster, and the lettuces, and the +stout had not cost a great deal of that valuable sum of money. + +"At the present moment," she concluded, making a careful computation in +her mind, for she was a smart enough girl in certain ways--"at the +present moment Elma must possess the sum of seven pounds or thereabouts." +What in the world did that Irish girl lend it to her for? What an utter +fool she must have been! But as to Elma's paying it back! as to Elma +getting rid of those riches--Carrie thought she saw her way of +preventing that. In order to do so, however, it was all-important that +Elma should not see poor Kitty's passionate little appeal to her; for +although Elma was anything but an amiable girl, Carrie was certain that +mere fright would make her return the money. + +Carrie stayed some time in her room; she was thinking out a plan. How +could she prevent Elma returning the money to Kitty Malone? She +considered rapidly. Never before had she felt so full of energy and of +resource; it suddenly occurred to her as extremely unlikely that Elma +would carry about so much money on her person. Suppose she, Carrie, had +a thorough good hunt for it now on the spot. Suppose she found it, then +would it not be her duty, by taking possession of it, to guard Elma from +giving it away? Carrie made up her mind quickly; she determined to have +a search for the money at once. In the somewhat meagerly-furnished +bedroom there were not a great many hiding-places, and Carrie began her +search systematically. Elma and she had a little set of drawers each; +there were no locks to these drawers. With all her faults, Elma +absolutely trusted her own family. It never occurred to her even in her +worst moments that Carrie would examine her drawers; she also believed +that Maggie was perfectly honest. + +Carrie now began to search. She opened Elma's drawers and looked +through them. Soon she found what she sought for. In the small +right-hand drawer at the top corner was a little parcel. It felt heavy. +Carrie opened it and there lay seven shining sovereigns. There were also +a couple of shillings and a few pence; but Carrie's eyes were +principally fixed upon the sovereigns. Bright and new they looked, +almost as if they had just come from the mint. Carrie danced a pirouette +there and then. + +"I have found the treasure," she gasped. "Now I must take it where it +will be safe. I know what I'll do. I'll give it to Sam Raynes to keep +for Elma. It will be a nice excuse for seeing him again, and I'll tell +him it is money of my own, and ask him to bank it for me. He'll be ever +so pleased; he will think all the more of me if he supposes I am +wealthy. Yes, I'll take it to Sam; he shall keep it for me." + +Flushed, excited, her heart beating high, Carrie once more pinned on her +hat. She ran downstairs. As she passed through the hall her mother was +letting herself in with a latchkey. + +"My dear Carrie," she said, "you are not going out again at this hour of +night?" + +"I shan't be long, mother. I am just going into Summer Terrace to see +the Raynes." + +"I wish you would not go out so late, Carrie; it really isn't----" + +But Carrie had slammed the door without even waiting for her parent's +last words. She soon reached the Terrace, which was within three +minutes' walk of her own house. Florrie Raynes let her in. + +"My dear Carrie," she said, "what do you want? Oh, you naughty girl; +you knew Sam would be in." + +"Well, I want to speak to him. Can I see him just for a moment?" gasped +Carrie, panting and breathless, pushing the hair from her forehead as +she spoke. + +"Yes, come right in," said Florrie; "you need not apologize. He is only +having a cigar, and he'll be right pleased to see you." + +As she spoke she opened the door of a small sitting-room and pushed +Carrie in, slamming it behind her. The echo of her rude laughter as she +performed this unladylike feat was heard down the passage. + +Sam was seated in front of an open window smoking a cigar. When he saw +Carrie he removed it from his mouth and came forward in a somewhat +nonchalant way to meet her. + +"Now, Car," he said, "what's up? Any news? Can we have a jolly time next +Sunday?" + +"Yes," answered Carrie panting slightly, "and for as many other Sundays +as you like. See here, Sam, I cannot wait a minute now. You know you +once told me that I was a frivolous little thing, that I was +extravagant, and all that. Now, what will you say if I ask you to put +seven pounds in the bank for me?" + +"Seven pounds!" cried Sam; "'pon my word! Where in the world did you get +it, Car?" + +"It's out of my savings," replied Carrie. + +"Well, I must say--" Sam gave her a look of the broadest admiration he +had ever yet bestowed upon her. "You can bank it for me, can you not?" + +"Yes, that I can. But I say, Car, would you like me to speculate with +it? I might double it, you know." + +"Oh, do what you like with it, only keep it safe," answered Carrie. "I +shall want to draw a little of it from time to time. Now, good-by, Sam. +I can't wait another moment." + +She laid the money on the table. Sam's large and somewhat fat hand +closed greedily over it, and the next moment it was conveyed to his +waistcoat pocket. + +"This will come in very handy for myself," he muttered; but Carrie did +not hear the words--she ran home breathless and excited. She thought she +had managed splendidly. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +THE "SPOTTED LEOPARD." + + +Kitty was miserable that night. An Irish girl has always her ups and +downs. She is either up in the seventh heaven of bliss, or she is down +almost below the ordinary earth in misery. Kitty was suffering from an +intense revulsion of spirits. Laurie was in trouble. He was the best +brother in all the world; he was Kitty's idol. There never was anybody +more reckless, more passionate, more dare-devil than Laurie Malone; and +Kitty had always been with him heart and soul, always from the time that +they had been little tots together. And now Laurie was in danger. The +best broth of a boy might be condemned to go to a school in England; he +might be condemned to the misery, the want of freedom, which she was now +enduring. Oh, she must save him at any risk. She could do so. She could +send him ten pounds; she would have exactly that sum in her possession +if only Elma returned the eight which she had lent her. It did not occur +to Kitty as at all difficult for Elma to return the money. She had never +yet know money difficulties herself; and when Elma had asked for the +loan of it she imagined that she could have it back at any time. If this +was not the case it would not greatly matter; but now, of course, +Laurie's letter altered the complexion of everything. + +Kitty was too unsettled and anxious to stay quiet for a single moment. +She fidgeted Alice, who was busily engaged preparing her lessons for the +following day. + +"Kitty," she said, when that erratic young person had jumped up to lean +her body half out of the window for the twentieth time, "if you cannot +sit still yourself, you ought to have some thought for me. What am I to +do if you keep rushing to the window and back again to your seat every +couple of minutes?" + +"I am looking for Elma," said Kitty. + +"For Elma Lewis? Do you expect her to-night?" + +"Yes, and on a matter of vital importance. Oh, don't talk to me please, +Alice. If she doesn't come soon, I believe my heart will burst." + +"That is exactly like one of your exaggerated statements," said Alice. +"People's hearts don't burst. Oh, if you only would stay quiet." + +"I believe that's herself turning round the corner," cried Kitty, +bending out so far now that it was a wonder she was not overbalanced. + +"Really, Kitty, you make my heart stand still," said Alice. "You will +fall out if you are not careful. Oh, for goodness' sake, don't stoop out +any further." + +"It's not her," said Kitty, popping in her head. "I was only stooping +far enough to catch a glimpse of her boots. Elma always wears such +horrid shabby boots; and her feet are too large. By the way, Alice, what +do you think of these shoes; do you like them with straps across, and +little rosettes?" + +"I don't like anything in the way of dress at the present moment," said +Alice. "I want quiet and peace. It is impossible for me to do anything +while you fidget as you do." + +Kitty jumped with a bang into the nearest chair; opened a novel, and +tried to read it upside down. + +"If she isn't in time I won't be able to send the letter to-night and +then--Alice, do you mind my interrupting you for a moment? What time +does the last post go?" + +"The pillar outside the gate is cleared at twelve," said Alice. + +"It is only nine now. You don't happen to be able to tell me when a +letter, cleared at twelve, would reach Castle Malone?" + +"I cannot tell you. Forgive me, Kitty, I cannot stay in the room any +longer. I am going to our bedroom." + +Alice gathered up her books, and swept out of tho room. When she reached +the bedroom she shut and locked the door. + +Kitty was now left alone in the drawing-room, for Mr. and Mrs. Denvers +were spending the evening out. She was glad of this, as she could lean +as far out of the window as she dared, and there was no one to shout at +her. She could also pace up and down the room, which she presently did +with the rapidity and eagerness of a young tigress. + +Oh, to be back again at Castle Malone! What was Laurie doing now? +Suppose Paddy Wheel-about really told her father about Laurie! + +Squire Malone was extremely kind to Kitty; there was no saying what he +would not do for Kitty were she in trouble; but Laurie and Pat were +different matters. He had fits of severity-with them--only fits, mind +you; for he was too Irish in his character, too generous-hearted, ever +to keep his anger long; but in these fits he often made strange +resolves, and when these resolves were made, as a rule, he carried them +out. He was too proud to change his mind. If once he decided that the +boys were to go to school to England, to school they must go--to +"prison," Kitty termed it. Tears rose in her bright eyes, they rolled +down her cheeks. Oh, why was not Elma in time? How dreadful, how +dreadful if she (Kitty) missed the twelve-o'clock post! She was in this +state of fret and worry, when Fred entered the room. Fred hated all +girls, with the exception of Kitty Malone. He could not be said by this +time to hate her, for he admired her very much indeed. The moment she +saw him she called out to him to come in. + +"Ah, then, Fred, it is you. Come along in," she cried; "you'll be a +drain of a comfort--not much, but still a drain. Oh, Fred, it's I who am +in the trouble entirely. You wouldn't think it to look at me, but I am." + +"Dear me, Kitty I am sorry," said Fred. "What's up? Has Alice been +teasing you as usual?" + +"Oh, bother Alice! as if I minded her little pinpricks. It's that +darling Laurie in Ireland. He has got into trouble, the broth of a boy +that he is." + +She then related what had occurred in connection with Paddy +Wheel-about's coat. + +"And the poor old coat is in the bottom of the lake," she added, "and +the lake is feet deep in mud just at the bottom, and anything that falls +with a weight into it would sink and sink. Oh, they will never find the +coat till the day of judgment, and it full of beautiful money! And Paddy +Wheel-about has lost the little grain of sense he ever possessed, and +Laurie will be sent to one of those prisons." + +"To prison?" cried Fred; "but surely your father--" + +"Oh, I mean a school--it's all the same. Don't interrupt me, Fred. When +my mind is full I must rattle off the speech somehow." + +"And he wants you to send him ten pounds?" + +"Yes." + +"And have you got ten pounds to send him?" + +"To be sure I have--I have ten pounds ten. I am an awful girl for +spending money. I bought a whole pound's worth of chocolate yesterday. I +only wish I had the money now instead; but poor little Agnes Moore and +the other girls in my class, they do love chocolate, and they quite seem +to fatten them. I bought the chocolates, and I have got ten shillings in +my pocket." + +"But you showed me a whole purseful of gold the other day," said Fred. + +"Well, it's gone, Fred, and it isn't gone; but I know who could help me +to find it if I could catch a sight of her." + +"And who is that?" asked Fred. + +"Elma Lewis." + +"Elma Lewis! Do you like her?" + +"I can't say that I like her--no I don't think I do; but she would help +me, if I could only get to see her." + +"Then, do you want me to go to her house and tell her so?" + +"Why, Fred, that's a splendid idea. You are a jewel, a darling, a duck! +Let me fetch my hat, and you and I will go together." + +"But I don't know my lessons yet. It is that beastly German. I have +pages to translate. It is such rot." + +"Oh, what does the German matter? Think of the misery poor Laurie is in. +Just stay where you are, Fred; I'll be back in a minute." + +Kitty dashed upstairs, two or three steps at a time, and thundered a +loud tattoo on the locked door of Alice's bedroom. + +"You cannot come in, whoever you are," cried Alice from within. + +"Yes, but I must, Alice, aroon; let me in, jewel that you are. I want my +hat, and gloves and jacket, nothing else. Do, for goodness' sake, let me +in, Alice, asthore!" + +But Alice was obdurate. Once let Kitty in, she would never be able to +get rid of her again, and her lessons must be learned. They were +specially difficult and required all her attention. + +"Then if you won't," cried Kitty, whose quick temper was beginning to +rise, "at least fling the things out of the window." + +"You know you must not go out at this hour." + +"If you won't give them to me," said Kitty, "I'll go without them." + +"You are not to have them; you are not to go out. It isn't right," +called Alice, who felt strong in the cause of virtue. + +Kitty rattled violently on the handle for a moment longer, and then +rushed downstairs again to where Fred was waiting. + +"I can't get my hat," she said; "but it doesn't matter. I'll go as I +am." + +Now Kitty's dress was more picturesque than suitable. She had on a +crimson blouse and a skirt bedizened with many ribbons and frills. The +blouse had only elbow sleeves and was cut rather low in the neck. +Nothing could be more becoming to the dancing eyes, the rose-bloom +cheeks, the head of dark hair. + +"Lend me a cap of yours, Fred, there's a darling," called Kitty, "and +we'll be off. Alice is in one of her tantrums, and she won't let me into +our room nor give me my hat and jacket. If your mother were there it +would be all right." + +Fred only thought that Kitty looked remarkably pretty. It did not occur +to him as at all queer that she should want to walk a couple of miles in +this erratic dress. He went downstairs, accommodated her with a small +cap which bore the college coat of arms in front, and the two were soon +hurrying along the roads at a rapid rate in the direction of Elma's +house. + +There were two ways to Elma's home. One way was by crossing a wide +common, cutting off a certain corner, walking down a by-street, and so, +by a series of short cuts, reaching Constantine Road. By the other and +slightly longer way you had to pass an open thoroughfare in the center +of which blazed, with its shining lights and its gay exterior, a large +public-house called the "Spotted Leopard." Now the "Spotted Leopard" was +by no means a nice place to pass at night. Men considerably the worse +for drink were apt to linger about the doors. Gossiping and idle fellows +would congregate just by this special corner, ready to take up any bit +of fun or nonsense which might be coming, meaning no special mischief, +but being decidedly disagreeable to meet at night. + +Fred was as careless a schoolboy as could be found in the length and +breadth of Great Britain; Kitty was equally reckless, perhaps more so, +if that were possible. That special evening Fred decided that they would +not take the short cut across the common. + +"A beastly lonely place at this hour of night," he said, "and the road +is so uneven and there are no lamps. We'll go round by the 'Spotted +Leopard'. You don't mind, do you, Kit?" + +"Never a bit," answered Kitty. "Come along, Fred; stretch your legs. I +must get to see Elma Lewis to-night as quickly as possible." + +Fred walked fast, and Kitty laughed and talked and danced by his side. +Now that she was in action she forgot her fears; her volatile spirits +rose once again to a height. She entertained Fred with numerous stories +relating to Paddy Wheel-about, Laurie, and Pat, and invited him to come +to Castle Malone for the whole of the summer holidays, assuring him that +the fishing would be splendid, the cycling superb, the riding such as +would make your eyes water, and the shooting and the hunting when that +season began all that could stimulate the least ambitious of boys. And +when Kitty spoke she was apt to illustrate her words, dancing now in +front of her companion, now keeping by his side, now lingering a little +behind him, all the time gesticulating with eyes and lips and gay +motions. She was like a restive young colt--beautiful, excitable. The +boy felt that he had never had such a charming companion before. + +All went well, and Kitty's bizarre dress, her hair tossed wildly over +her head and hanging partly down her shoulders, her little feet encased +in the shoes with the rosettes and steel buckles, the frills on her gay +skirt, her bare arms, failed to attract any special attention. But when +they got into the neighborhood of the "Spotted Leopard," a blaze of +light fell full across her. She was a remarkable enough figure to be out +at this hour, and when joined to the somewhat peculiar spectacle, the +wild-looking boys--for they were little more--who had congregated round +this special corner, saw the college cap on her head, they made a rush +forward and the next moment had surrounded her. + +They began to laugh and to make facetious remarks. It was all done in a +second. Kitty stood stock still as if some one had shot her. He gay +manner ceased on the instant, she drew herself erect, and the next +moment aimed a blow straight from the shoulder at the nearest of the +men, knocking him over as completely as though he had been a ninepin; +then taking hold of Fred's arm--who had come to her rescue, although the +poor lad had not the least idea what to do--marched away, her face as +crimson as her gay silk blouse. + +"Well, Kitty, you did that splendidly," he said. + +"The impertinent wretches! Don't speak to me about them," answered +Kitty. But just then she came face to face with a more serious +obstacle. This was no less a person than Miss Worrick herself. + +Now if there was a prim mistress in the whole length and breadth of +England, it was Matilda Worrick. She liked girls to be neatly dressed; +she could not bear to see them out at what she called inclement hours. +She would have thought it the height of impropriety for Kitty and Fred +to walk together at such an hour; but when in addition to this Kitty +went out in a dress which Miss Worrick would have thought very +unsuitable for home, when she wore a boy's college cap on her head, and +when she had so far distinguished herself as to have been for a moment +the center of a lot of low noisy, rough men, Miss Worrick felt that the +moment had come for her to interfere. She grasped Kitty Malone firmly by +the arm. + +"What are you doing, Miss Malone?" she said. "How dare you be out at +this hour?" + +"How dare you interfere?" answered Kitty, who, excited already, could +not for a moment brook Miss Worrick's interference. + +"I shall march you straight home," said the mistress. "If Miss Sherrard +knew of this she would expel you from the school. You are a very wicked +girl. Fred Denvers, you can go home or go on with your walk, just as you +like, but I have charge of Miss Malone; she belongs to the Middleton +School, and I must see her home before I go a step further." + +Poor Kitty felt staggered. + +"I really meant no harm," she said. "I cannot imagine what you are +talking about. I could not get my hat and jacket, and as it was most +important that I should see Elma Lewis, Fred promised to take me to her +house. Please don't ask me to return now with you, Miss Worrick, I +really cannot come." + +But Miss Worrick was inexorable. She grasped Kitty very firmly by the +arm, turned abruptly in the direction of home, and walked forward with a +firm step. There was no help for it; Kitty Malone must accompany her. +They soon found themselves back again at the Denvers' house. Mr. and +Mrs. Denvers were out, but Miss Worrick inquired for Alice. + +"Ask Miss Alice to come to me immediately," she said to the servant. + +The girl looked pityingly at Kitty, who was a prime favorite with her, +and then went away to fulfill her errand. + +The instant Alice got this somewhat startling message, she forgot her +lesson, unlocked her bedroom door, and flew downstairs as fast as she +could. Miss Worrick was standing in the center of the drawing-room. +Kitty was leaning up against one of the window-curtains. Kitty's face +was red, her hair was tossed in wild confusion, and her dark eyes seemed +to flash fire. + +"Alice," said Miss Worrick, coming straight up to Alice when she +appeared. "I must ask you to take charge of Kitty Malone." + +"Why so?" asked Alice in some astonishment. + +"Just do what I say. Your father and mother are out. Kitty is not to +return to school to-morrow until she hears from Miss Sherrard. In the +absence of your parents I put her in your charge, Alice. She has behaved +disgracefully, and I shall have the great pain of reporting what I have +just witnessed to our head-mistress to-morrow." + +So saying, Miss Worrick walked quickly out of the room and out of the +house. + +"Well, thank goodness, she's gone--the old cat!" cried Kitty. + +"Now, Kitty what have you done?" said Alice. "Oh, this is terrible! +Fresh scrapes! We seem to live in constant hot water. What is the matter +now, you headstrong and dreadful girl?" + +"Nothing is the matter," replied Kitty, "absolutely nothing. It is all a +storm in a teacup. But if any one is to blame you are the one." + +"I?" cried Alice. "What next?" + +"Well, you are. You would not give me my hat and jacket. I have a nice +plain hat and a jacket to match. I should have put them on if you had +not locked our bedroom door, and prevented my coming into the room, +which is just as much mine as yours. As it was imperative for me to see +Elma Lewis immediately, I asked Fred if he would walk round with me to +her house, and I wore his college cap. When we were passing the 'Spotted +Leopard' a lot of rough, rude boys rushed out and began to make +impertinent remarks about my dress. I just gave one of them a black eye +and knocked him over. The next moment I found myself under the fire of +Miss Worrick's anger." + +"And small wonder," said Alice. "Kitty, what is to be done? Before you +came here I thought myself a respectable girl--all we Middleton girls +did; and now for such a fearful thing to happen. Why, it will be all +over the place in the morning. They will talk of it everywhere. Oh, +Kitty, you have disgraced me for ever." + +Here Alice burst into tears. + +"Good gracious!" cried Kitty, "what are you crying about? I did nothing; +it was the rude men, or boys, or whatever you like to call them, who +were to blame." + +"You did nothing, going out in that dress?" cried Alice--"that red +blouse, and your arms bare, and with Fred's college cap on your head. I +should not be a bit surprised if Fred were expelled; he will certainly +get into an awful scrape. Oh dear! oh dear!" + +"I cannot imagine what you are talking and crying about," said Kitty. +"But there; I have got a headache, and am going to bed. I suppose there +is no chance of my--Oh, poor Laurie! What a wicked girl Elma Lewis is!" + +Kitty rushed up to her room. Not that she was frightened--that was not +her way; but she saw that disagreeable things might be pending. In the +meantime her most anxious thoughts were for Laurie. What would happen if +she could not send him the money by an early post? + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +COVENTRY. + + +Early the next morning Mrs. Denvers was a good deal surprised by +receiving a letter from Miss Sherrard. It ran as follows: + +"DEAR MRS. DENVERS: I have just heard an extraordinary story from Miss +Worrick with regard to Kitty Malone. She met Kitty with your Fred at a +late hour last night just outside the 'Spotted Leopard.' She was not +wearing an outdoor jacket, and had the college cap on her head. In +consequence, she was spoken to impertinently by some men outside the +public-house, and when Miss Worrick came up had just knocked one of them +down. Miss Worrick says, further, that Kitty showed her great +impertinence; and, in short, that the whole affair was wrong and +disgraceful. It is my painful duty to look thoroughly into this matter, +and I should be glad if you would bring Miss Malone to Middleton School +this morning in order that I may do so. + +"Yours very truly, + +"EMMA SHERRARD." + +"My dear Alice," said Mrs. Denvers, as her daughter entered the room, +"what does this letter mean?" + +Alice read Miss Sherrard's letter hastily. + +"It is exactly as I feared, mother," she said. + +"Exactly as you feared, Alice! What do you mean?" + +"I always told you that Kitty would be certain to get into trouble +sooner or later. Well, she got into trouble last night." + +"But what occurred?" + +"What occurred!" said Fred, who came into the room at that moment. "I +thought you would be talking about poor Kitty. I will tell you exactly +what did occur mother; but first I want to say something else. Kitty is +just as nice a girl as we ever had in the house. She has not a low nor a +small thought in her, but she is excitable, and she has high spirits; +and yesterday evening, when I went into the drawing-room, I found her +there alone, and in no end of a fret because one of her brothers in +Ireland had got into trouble. He had written to her; but she would not +tell me what he said. For some extraordinary reason, which none of us +know, it seems that Elma Lewis can get him out of his trouble, I cannot +pretend to explain what this means; but such is the fact. Poor Kitty was +wild to see Elma, and she asked me if I would walk over to her house +with her. Of course I promised to do so, for it was difficult not to be +good-natured to the poor thing." + +"At what hour was this, Fred?" interrupted Mrs. Denvers. + +"It was rather late, I will own, mother--about half-past nine." + +"Go on, my dear boy. What happened then?" + +"Now it is Alice's turn to get into your black books," continued Fred, +darting a malicious look at his sister. "She doesn't like Kitty, and +nothing that Kitty can do or say is right in Alice's eyes." + +"Fred!" interrupted Alice--"Mother, you have no right to listen to him." + +"I am bound to hear both sides of this story, Alice," said Mrs. Denvers. +"Fred shall tell his side first. Go on, my boy." + +"When I arranged to go with Kitty, she ran upstairs to the bedroom which +she shares with Alice to get her jacket and hat; but Alice had locked +the door, and wouldn't let her in. I heard her crying out and begging of +Alice to do so, or, at least, if she would not, to throw her hat and +jacket out of the window; but no! good nature was not to be expected +from my amiable sister. So then Kitty ran down again, and said that as +the night was warm it really didn't matter a bit; and she asked me to +lend her a cap. I took one from the peg in the hall, never seeing that +it was one of the college caps with the coat-of-arms in front, and Kitty +popped it on, and off we set. We neither of us gave a thought to her +dress, and we walked as fast as possible, chatting and laughing all the +way. All went well till we got in front of that horrid 'Spotted +Leopard,' and there were several lads round the door. I suppose Kitty's +dress attracted them as well as her pretty face, and all in a minute +they surrounded her. Such awful cheek! But do you think Kitty would put +up with their impudence? I never saw a girl like her! She just aimed a +blow straight at one of the fellows and knocked him over as if he were a +ninepin. I can tell you she had the laugh on her side; and I don't +believe we would have heard anything more about it if that mean, +spiteful old cat, Miss Worrick, hadn't been coming round the corner. She +ran up to Kitty, and took possession of her, and marched her off home, +and put her, forsooth, into Alice's custody. That's the explanation of +Miss Sherrard's letter, mother." + +"Dear, dear!" said Mrs. Denvers, "it was a most imprudent thing to do. +But of course, the poor child meant no harm." + +"I should rather think she didn't," cried Fred. "The one you ought really +to blame is Alice. No one would have looked at Kitty, nor thought of her +one way or the other, if Alice had let her get her hat and jacket; but +what was she to do when she was locked out of her own bedroom?" + +"But she know very well that she was breaking rules," said Mrs. Denvers. +"None of the Middleton girls are allowed to go out so late in the +evening except with a suitable escort; and she certainly ought not to +have gone in the dress you have described, my boy. It was all +thoughtlessness; but she will get into sad trouble, I fear." + +"Of course it was thoughtlessness," said Fred; "and the poor thing was +bothered, dreadfully bothered, about that brother in Ireland." + +"I see, mother," said Alice, "that you are determined to take Kitty's +part, whatever happens. She has bewitched you, like all the rest of the +household." + +"Whom have I bewitched now?" asked Kitty, who entered the room just +then. + +"Oh, my poor, dear child," said Mrs. Denvers, "you have got into a +terrible scrape. See this letter which I have just received from your +head-mistress." + +Kitty eagerly seized the letter. She was looking pale, and not like her +usual self. There were heavy black lines under her eyes. The poor girl +had spent most of her night crying. The thought of Laurie was resting on +her soul; she was very anxious about him, and, in consequence, very +miserable. + +"I always said that I hated England," she cried, coloring as she spoke. +"Oh, I know, dear Mrs. Denvers, that you are a jewel; and as to Fred, he +is no end of a darling; and Mr. Denvers is as nice as a man could be. +But there's Alice, and she doesn't like me; and Miss Worrick can't bear +me; and half the girls at school don't understand me, and, for the +matter of that, I don't care for them; and I don't understand your +stiff, proper English ways. I am far and away too wild for England. In +Ireland we would only laugh at such a thing as happened last night. What +does it matter what sort of dress I go out in and at what hour I go, if +I am doing right all the time? I wanted to do something for Laurie, for +my dear, dear Laurie, who is in terrible trouble. Please, Mrs. Denvers, +let me go home again. Let us both go to Miss Sherrard this morning, and +tell her that it is all no use; Kitty Malone was born wild, and wild she +will remain to the end of the chapter. Let me go home; please let me go +home." + +"My poor child, I must not yield to you," said Mrs. Denvers. "You have +been sent to us to be made----" + +"Oh, don't begin it," cried Kitty. "Don't begin to talk about all the +things you have got to make me, and which, to be plain, none of you will +ever succeed in doing, for I was not half nor a quarter as wild in +Ireland. I was considered in some ways the steady one of the family; but +here, why, I am provoked every minute of the day, and I--I can't stand +it much longer." + +"Well, sit down now and eat your breakfast," said Mrs. Denvers, "for we +must soon hurry off to school. Miss Sherrard will want to see us +immediately after prayers." + +Kitty seated herself, but she had little appetite for her food. + +"Why don't you eat?" said Fred, who sat next to her. "Let me help you to +some of this porridge; it's jolly well done this morning, and you always +like it, don't you?" + +"Yes, yes; but I have got a lump in my throat and I can't swallow," +answered Kitty. "Thank you all the same, Fred. There are some chocolates +in my room if you like to steal up in the middle of the day in case I am +locked up, as twenty to one I shall be for this misdemeanor. There are +some chocolates and some rock and toffee. You'll find them in my +left-hand drawer in the corner. I spent a whole sovereign on sweets, as +I told you a few days ago." + +"Oh, thanks. Kitty, you are a brick," whispered Fred back in return. + +"You can take as many as you like, Fred, old boy, for you are a comfort +to me. I'll tell Laurie about you when I go back to Ireland." + +"Come, come, my dears, no whispering," said Mrs. Denvers. "Kitty, if +you don't care for your breakfast, perhaps you will go up to your room +and make yourself tidy for school." + +"Oh, am I not tidy now?" asked Kitty, jumping up and running to the +glass in the overmantel to survey herself. "By the way, do you like my +frock? it is quite new. Don't you think this crimson cotton with the +white sash very effective? It is cool, and yet it's gay. I belong to the +Tug--Oh! I must not mention that. I never did know such a place for +awful secrets as England. I am drawn up every minute by remembering that +I must not mention something. But how do you like my dress, Mrs. +Denvers?" + +"Well, dear, I prefer quieter colors; but we will say nothing more about +it just now. Get your hat, Kitty; put on your outdoor shoes and your +gloves, and come down immediately, for it is time for us to start." + +As soon as Kitty had left the room, Alice turned to her mother. + +"Are you going to encourage her in all her follies?" she asked. + +"My dear Alice, I don't encourage her in her follies; but there is no +use in pulling the poor child up short every moment. She expresses +herself quite correctly when she says that she is wild; she is not +broken in. But to break in Kitty Malone too thoroughly might also break +her heart, and that would never do." + +"Break her heart! I don't believe she has got one," said Alice. "But, +there, I can't talk any longer on the subject." + +It occurred to her that if she started immediately for school she might +call for Bessie Challoner, and tell her what had occurred. Bessie's +sympathy would be very sweet, and Alice determined to secure it if +possible. Accordingly she left the house, and at about a quarter to nine +found herself at Bessie's house. Bessie was standing on the steps +drawing on her gloves. + +"Why, Alice, what has brought you?" she cried; "and where is Kitty?" + +"Oh, don't mention Kitty, if you don't want to rile me beyond +endurance," said Alice. + +"I always do rile you when I mention her," answered Bessie; "but where +is she all the same?" + +"With mother--she is coming to school with mother." + +"With your mother--to Middleton School! What do you mean?" + +"Only that mother has to bring her. She has got into no end of a row." + +"Has she? Oh, I am sorry," said Bessie. + +"Come out, Bessie," said Alice. "It is a little early to get to school, +but we may as well walk slowly, and I will tell you all about it as we +go along." + +This Alice did, enlarging much upon Kitty's dress, her crimson blouse, +her bare arms, the college cap on her head, and her little shoes with +the buckles and rosettes. + +"She must have looked very pretty," said Bessie. + +"Bessie! you really are enough to distract any one. Don't you see the +impropriety of it? Don't you see that this will get all over the place? +People will say that a Middleton girl dressed so unsuitably, so loudly, +that--Oh, don't you see it?" + +"I don't see anything in it except a silly, foolish, girlish act, +uncommonly like Kitty Malone," said Bessie. "You are determined to make +mountains out of molehills, Alice." + +"No, I am not," said Alice. "Anyhow," she added in a tone of triumph, +"Miss Sherrard thinks it disgraceful, and so does Miss Worrick. I +suppose you will not go against the opinions of your own mistresses, +will you, Bessie?" + +"No, no; only I am sorry," said Bessie. + +At that moment the two girls reached the school. Gwin Harley was just +driving up in her pony-chaise, and Elma, as usual, was hovering near. + +"Come here, Elma," said Bessie. "We have something to tell you." + +"What is it?" asked Elma eagerly. + +"It is this," cried Alice. "Kitty Malone has got into the most awful +scrape. She went out last night with Fred in her red blouse--you know +that silk blouse she is so fond of wearing?" + +"I know; it is sweetly pretty," said Elma. + +"Oh, there you are, praising everything she does! Well, anyhow, she wore +it, and her arms were bare to the elbow, and she stuck one of the +college caps on her head. What will Dr. Butler say? She went with Fred +to see you, by the way, Elma. She seemed in an awful hurry to find you. +She was in trouble about her brother, and she said you could help her." + +"Oh, nonsense!" said Elma. But she had an uncomfortable feeling as the +words were said. Her thoughts naturally flew to the eight pounds which +Kitty had lent her. Was it possible that Kitty wanted that lovely, that +beautiful money back again? Elma had felt almost as if she were living +in fairyland from the time that money had been in her possession. She +would part with it whenever the day came with extreme reluctance. + +"Well," she said, "I cannot imagine what she wanted with me; but what +happened?" + +"Some rough boys outside the 'Spotted Leopard' were rude to her, and she +knocked one of them down; then Miss Worrick came up and took her back to +our house; and Miss Sherrard has written this morning to say that mother +is to bring Kitty up to school, and that she must have the whole thing +explained. There's a nice state of things!" + +At that moment the great gong was heard, and the girls were obliged to +troop into the school. Prayers were conducted as usual in the great +hall, and Elma, Gwin, Alice, and Bessie looked in every imaginable +corner for a sight of Kitty Malone. She was not present, however, and +they were obliged afterward to go to their class-rooms without having +caught sight of her beaming and brilliant face. + +Meanwhile Mrs. Denvers and Kitty were waiting for Miss Sherrard in the +head-mistress' private sitting-room. Kitty went to the window and looked +out. + +"I like Miss Sherrard," she said, turning to Mrs. Denvers as she spoke. +"I am really sorry to annoy her. It is about a fortnight ago since she +spoke to me in this very room; she spoke so kindly, and told me that I +had got talents. I was astonished, for I thought she meant cleverness, +and I have always been told that I am a dunce; she said that she knew I +had good abilities, and that besides I had plenty of other +talents--nice dress, and good looks." Kitty colored and flashed a +half-defiant, half-roguish glance at Mrs. Denvers. "She also spoke about +my money as a talent. Oh, dear, I felt half-conceited, half-delighted +when I left her, and I made up my mind that I would be good; but it +seems useless, more than useless. Oh, my poor money, my poor money! I +have got none of it left now, or at least scarcely any." + +"My dear child, no money!" exclaimed Mrs. Denvers. "Impossible. When +you spoke to me last you had about fifteen pounds. Kitty, my dear, it is +wrong for you to squander money in that fashion." + +"But I haven't squandered it, Mrs. Denvers, not really. I have not got +it with me, it is true; but most of it is safe, only I must not talk +about that. There's another secret for you. What an awful place England +is! Oh, dear, dear! I am in a muddle about everything. I can't bear to +stand in this room and remember Miss Sherrard's talk. Fancy her saying +that even my dress was a talent! Now there's something in favor of my +nice red cotton and my dear red silk blouse; and fancy her saying still +more that my looks, my pretty face, was a talent! Mrs. Denvers, do you +think me pretty, very, very, very pretty?" + +"No, Kitty dear, not so wonderfully pretty as that; but you have an +attractive face. Miss Sherrard is quite right; beauty is a gift, +although it used to be my old-fashioned idea that the less girls were +told about their looks the better." + +"Oh, but that's all exploded, love," cried Kitty. "In these days girls +are told when they are pretty just as much as they are told when they +are clever. Now, I'm not clever, not a bit. I'm a dunce, an out and out +dunce; but at any rate I've got a pretty face, and I promised that I +would use my talents for--for the best--" Here she lowered her face and +a thoughtful and beautiful expression came into the great big eyes. "But +it's no use," she added. "I am bothered entirely every day of my life, +and I am just going from bad to worse." + +"Hush, Kitty, you must not talk in that way Hark! I think I hear Miss +Sherrard's step." As Mrs. Denvers spoke the door was slowly opened and +Miss Sherrard, accompanied by Miss Worrick, came in. Miss Sherrard was +just about to speak; but before she could utter a word Kitty rushed to +her. + +"I have failed, darling; I have failed entirely," she gasped out, "I +meant to do right, but I did wrong; I have become worse and worse, +although I cannot see the wrong myself. But Miss Worrick has found it +out. I want to give up the school, darling, and to go back to Old +Ireland. They don't think so badly of me in Old Ireland, and they'll let +me dress as I like and go out when I like; and--and, I am not fit for +England, dear. Please write to dad and tell him so--tell him I am a +failure as far as England is concerned. He'll understand, dear old man. +He'll be sorry, but he'll understand. Let me go home again, please, Miss +Sherrard--let me go home!" + +"No, Kitty, I shall do nothing of the kind," answered Miss Sherrard. +"You must not kiss me just now, my dear; no, I am not pleased at all. +You did very wrong to go out as late as you did last night. You broke +one of the strictest rules of the school, and have brought discredit +upon us all. Miss Worrick, will you please relate exactly what +occurred?" + +Miss Worrick now stood up and made as much as she possibly could of poor +Kitty's little escapade in front of the "Spotted Leopard." The story so +described made anything but a pleasant picture. Miss Sherrard who was +tenacious with regard to the school, and most anxious that each and all +of her girls should bear the highest character for quiet and orderly +behavior, was deeply annoyed. + +"Kitty," she said, "I have always been strangely unwilling to punish +you. I have never ceased to remember that you have not been brought up +like most of the girls here--that you have enjoyed a freer, wilder life. +On that account I have tried to be very patient with you, my dear; but I +am sorry to say that I have no alternative now. I must punish you, and +severely. For the next week you are to stay in during the morning +recess, and after school is over will remain here day by day to learn +different tasks which will be set you. Further, my dear--and this, I am +sure, will be the most severe part of your punishment--your school +companions are absolutely forbidden to speak to you, and you must give +your word of honor that you will hold no communication with any of them +until the week has expired." + +This very severe sentence made poor Kitty quite collapse. She sat down +on the nearest chair and her rosy face turned pale. + +"Oh, I cannot give my word of honor," she gasped. "I must speak. I must +at least speak to Elma Lewis." + +"You are not to speak to any of your companions, with the exception of +Alice Denvers, in whose house you live," said Miss Sherrard. "Kitty, if +you disobey me, I shall have to expel you, and then indeed you will be +disgraced for life. My dear you must bow to my authority--you are to +speak to no girl in the school. I trust to your honor to obey me in this +particular. If you are expelled--and it will certainly happen if I find +that you are not keeping your word--you will be branded for life." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +THE LOST PACKET. + + +After parting with Kitty, Miss Sherrard went back to the school. As she +did so, she said a few words to Miss Worrick. The result of this was +that all the girls were summoned to appear in the great central hall. +When there they were told very briefly--Miss Sherrard standing by her +desk as she spoke--that Miss Malone was in disgrace. + +"Miss Malone has done something which obliges me to put her into +Coventry for a week," said the head-mistress. "Her schoolfellows are +forbidden to have any intercourse with her. If she attempts to speak to +any girl belonging to Middleton School, with the exception of Alice +Denvers, in whose house she is living, that girl holds communication +with her at her own peril. Such a girl stands a grave chance of being +expelled from the school." + +Miss Sherrard then descended from her platform, and the usual work of +the morning went on. + +It may easily be guessed that Kitty Malone, and Kitty Malone only, was +the subject of conversation during recess. What had she done? Why was +Miss Sherrard so very severe on her? It was not often that a Middleton +girl was given such a very terrible punishment. Alice who knew all about +it, and Bessie, who knew a little, were therefore in immense request. +Girls came up to these two in groups to find out what was the matter; +and when they heard from Alice the very glaring account of what Kitty +had really done on the previous night, they listened with open mouths, +giving vent to their feelings in different ways. The larger number +pronounced Kitty's conduct to be the height of all that was disgraceful. + +"Is it true," said one, "that she really wore the college cap? Oh, what +will Dr. Butler say if he finds it out? Alice, you cannot mean that she +had bare arms, bare from the elbows? Oh, impossible!" + +"But Alice," said another, "tell me, did she really, really, knock one +of those horrid boys down?" + +"Yes; like a ninepin, so Fred says," replied Alice. "Oh, it was +disgraceful. Don't talk of it any more; my cheeks burn whenever I think +of it." + +"But after all, Alice"--said Gwin, who came up at that moment. Gwin's +tone sounded quiet, stately, penetrating; it rose above the din which +the other girls were making. "After all, Alice, don't you think that you +were to blame too? Why did you not let Kitty get into your room and +hers? If she wanted to go for a walk it was surely natural enough to ask +for her hat and jacket; you refused to give them to her." + +"Of course I refused," said Alice, who did not at all wish to share any +of poor Kitty's blame. "Kitty knew perfectly well that she was breaking +one of the school rules as well as one of our home rules by going out at +such an hour--it was between nine and ten o'clock. As to her going +without her hat and jacket, such an idea never entered my wildest +dreams. No; bad as I thought Kitty, I did not think her bad enough for +that. There is no excuse for her. She is well punished, and for my part +I cannot but rejoice." + +"For my part," said Gwin gravely, "I am extremely sorry. I like Kitty; I +like her much. She has her faults of course; she is different from any +of the rest of us; she is wild and daring and eccentric; but she is also +the soul of honesty and candor. She is very affectionate and very +generous. She has not been brought up in the least as we have been. +Things we think wrong are not considered wrong by Kitty Malone. As she +herself expresses it, she is a little bit wild. Oh, I am sorry for her, +dreadfully sorry; and I think Miss Sherrard has been too severe. I +wonder at Miss Sherrard. I thought she understood Kitty. She spoke to +mother so kindly about her yesterday; she said there was a great deal of +good in the Irish girl, as she called her; and also said that she was +very glad that I was her friend. Although Miss Sherrard does not know +any of the rules of the Tug-of-war Society, she naturally knows that we +have formed it. She told me that she could not express how pleased she +was at our having asked Kitty to become a member. Girls, I wish I could +speak to Miss Sherrard. I think I will. It will break Kitty's heart to +be kept in Coventry for a week." + +"I doubt if she has a heart," said Alice. "It is all very fine to talk +of her affectionate ways; for my part I call them nothing but impetuous. +She is vain, conceited, and selfish; and provided she gets her own way +does not care what prejudices she rides roughshod over. Oh, I have no +patience with her." + +"But," said Bessie Challoner, who was standing stolidly by, looking +very determined and very quiet, "what did Kitty want out at that hour? +Kitty with all her faults, would not break the rules unless she had a +strong motive. What could have been the matter?" + +"And why did she want to see you, Elma?" said Gwin. "Can you throw any +light on the subject?" + +Elma colored first and then turned pale. Several pairs of eyes were +immediately fixed on her; one girl looked at the other, and a few nodded +significantly. Elma observed the looks and turned away in hot fear. + +"I don't know what she wanted with me," she muttered. + +The rest of the school hours passed as usual, and just before dinner, +when the great school broke up for the day, Kitty was still the subject +for conversation. Gwin lingered a little behind the others, and Bessie +stopped to ask why she was doing so. + +"I have almost made up my mind," she said, "to plead with Miss Sherrard +for Kitty." + +"Oh Gwin; how noble of you. I respect you, I do from my heart; but I +tell you what. Would it not be better for us to do something of this +sort? Why should not all the Tug-of-war girls plead for her? That would +seem more effective and stronger, would it not? Suppose we wrote a +letter, a sort of round-robin, and sent it to Miss Sherrard, begging of +her to forgive Kitty this time; and taking upon ourselves the +responsibility of her future conduct. Oh, I say, Gwin, could we not do +it?" + +"It is a splendid thought," said Gwin; "much--much better than my +talking to Miss Sherrard alone. Look here, Bessie; could we not manage +to have a meeting of the Tug-of-war at my house this evening? Oh, +there's Elma; I'll ask her at once. Elma come here." + +Elma who was just shouldering her books preparatory to leaving the +school, turned when she heard Gwin's voice. + +"What is it, Gwin?" she asked; her manner was a little nervous. + +Gwin hastily repeated Bessie's daring suggestion. + +"Oh, I'll come of course," said Elma; but there was a certain amount of +apathy in her tone. + +"And I will secure Alice; I am getting quite to dislike Alice, though," +said Bessie. + +Gwin promised to write to the other girls at once, and it was finally +arranged that a meeting should be held at Harley Grove that evening +between four and five o'clock. + +Elma walked home alone, musing much over the aspect of affairs. + +"I wonder what Kitty did want with me," she said to herself. "Doubtless +it had something to do with that money. Kitty was in despair, so it +seems. Oh, there's Fred Denvers; perhaps he can tell me something? +Hullo, Fred!" + +Elma stopped; Fred was on his way from college; he was whistling a gay +air, and did not see Elma until he had almost reached her side. + +"Hullo, Elma," he answered; "how are you?" + +"Oh, I am very well, Fred, thank you; but have you heard about Kitty +Malone?" + +"How everybody does cry out Kitty Malone; it will soon be sung by the +birds in the air," said Fred; "Kitty Malone! Kitty Malone! What's the +matter with her now?" + +"Oh, she has got into the most awful scrape; of course you know what +occurred last night?" + +"Rather!" said Fred. "I was with her. I say, Elma, she is about the +pluckiest girl I ever met. Didn't she hit out straight from the +shoulder; and didn't that fellow go down like a ninepin! I don't believe +he is able to see out of his eye to-day. Why, that little hand of hers +is as hard as iron. Who taught her the art of boxing like that? She's a +born fencer! She's a splendid girl. I never met any one like her." + +Elma did not feel so much annoyed at this praise of Kitty as Alice would +have been; but all the same it was scarcely gratifying to her. After +reflecting for a moment, during which Fred was preparing to continue his +swinging pace toward his home, she said suddenly: "But where was she +going, Fred?" + +Fred's big blue eyes lit up with a sudden light of intelligence. + +"What a fool I am!" he said. "You perhaps can throw light on this +mystery. She wanted to see you, Elma. I cannot imagine what about. You +know how fond she is of her brother Laurie? Well, it seems that Laurie +got into some sort of scrape; and Kitty, poor girl, she was in a way +about it; fretting like any thing, and she said no one could help her +but you. Can you tell me what she wanted with you? She was in a rare +hurry to get to your house." + +"Of course I cannot tell," answered Elma. "Who could be responsible for +the vagaries of Kitty Malone? I thought I would ask you. I thought +perhaps you would know. Of course they are talking about it at school, +and they are wondering what I can have to do with it. It is anything but +pleasant for me I can tell you." + +"Oh, you'll manage well enough; you'll fight your own battles. Well, +what have they done with her at the school? You look quite mysterious." + +"I forgot I had never mentioned it to you. They have sent her to +Coventry; Miss Sherrard has done it. We are none of us to speak to her +for a week." + +"Whew!" said Fred, rounding his lips for a prolonged whistle. "Well, +that won't bother Kitty much; I don't suppose talking to you would be +much of a loss to her." + +"But you don't understand, Fred. It's the disgrace, and Gwin Harley +thinks it will break her heart; and--But I must not tell you any more; I +must hurry home." + +"Poor Kitty! Anyhow, there's no embargo put on my talking to her," said +Fred to himself. "Poor old Kit, poor old girl; I'll make it up to her if +I can." + +Fred ran home as fast as he could, and Elma continued her way. + +"There's no doubt of it," she said to herself; "she wants that money. +She will manage, Coventry or not, to ask for it. She promised me +faithfully that she would never tell that I borrowed it from her; but, +being an Irish girl, she is scarcely likely to keep her word. Now that +she is in trouble for some unknown cause, she is certain to blab it +out. Did she not say herself that she could never keep a secret? Oh +dear, what an awful mess I have got into. If it gets to be known that I +borrowed eight pounds from Kitty I shall be expelled. If there is a rule +that the Middleton governors are strict about, it is that by which the +girls are forbidden to borrow money from one another; and eight pounds +is such a large, large sum. All my future will be ruined if this is +known. I had better give her back all the money that is left, and at +once. It would be the safest plan. I can at any rate let her have seven +sovereigns; and perhaps if she has that, she will not say anything +whatever about the matter. How miserable I shall feel without it; but +anything, anything is better than the dreadful fact getting to Miss +Sherrard's ears that I broke one of the strictest rules of the school, +and borrowed eight pounds from Kitty. The Tug-of-war Society would never +again have anything to do with me. I should have the poorest chance of +remaining in the school. It would get to Aunt Charlotte's ears. Yes, +yes; all my future depends on keeping this thing dark. I must get rid of +that dreadful money as quickly as possible. I thought my luck was going +to turn; but it is far too good to be true that I might keep such a +large sum of money safely. Poor Kitty! yes of course, I'm sorry for her; +but she is certain to tell on me. She would think nothing of getting me +into the most terrible scrape. I--I am bound to think of myself first." + +At this point in her meditations Elma reached the house in Constantine +Road. She ran up the steps, let herself in with a latchkey, and went +straight to her room. She opened the drawer where she kept Kitty's +precious sovereigns and put in her hand to take out the little paper +parcel. More than once since she had possessed this money had Elma +examined that little packet, getting up early in the morning to gloat +over it, looking at it the last thing at night; but always taking care +that Carrie should be sound asleep. It gave her comfort, the comfort +almost of a miser to gaze at her gold. She used to forget at these +supreme moments that the gold was in reality not hers at all. She used +to forget everything but the delightful sense of possession. She felt as +if she could never spend the money, as if she must hoard it and hoard it +just for the mere pleasure of looking at it. She knew the exact corner +of the drawer where she kept it; no one ever dared to meddle with Elma's +drawers. She kept the rest of the family more or less in awe of her. As +to Maggie, she was honest as the day. But what was the matter? Search as +she would she could not find the precious little packet. She looked +frantically here, there, and everywhere. Soon she had removed the drawer +from its case and had tumbled all the contents on her bed. Nowhere was +the money to be found. Elma's face turned white as a sheet. She trembled +from head to foot. In the midst of her meditations Carrie entered the +room. + +"My dear Elma, what is the matter?" she cried. + +A glance had shown her what was really wrong. A smile crossed her face. +She walked deliberately across the room and flung herself on her bed. + +"How hot it is," she said with a pant. + +"Dear me, Carrie, why are you so incorrigibly lazy?" said Elma. "Not +that I care--I am in dreadful trouble I------" + +"You look like it," said Carrie. "What is the matter?" + +"I am looking for some money." + +"Money? What money are you likely to have?" + +"Well, it so happens that I have some--a good deal. Carrie have you seen +it?" + +"Have I seen what?" asked Carrie in a provokingly drawling voice. + +"Why, my money. How did you think I got that dress, that dress which you +are racking through at such a furious pace?" + +Carrie was attired in the pale blue nun's-veiling. It was Carrie's way +to have a dress and to wear it morning, noon, and night, destroying all +its freshness. The nun's-veiling was already dirty and draggled-looking. + +"How do you think I got that dress that you made such a fuss about if I +had not money to pay for it?" + +"I am sure I couldn't tell, and what's more, I didn't care," said +Carrie. "What is vexing you now, Elma? Oh! what a commotion you are +making in your poor drawer!" + +"I have just lost seven sovereigns and--Carrie, I see by your face that +you do know something about it. Is it possible that you stole the +money?" + +"How dare you accuse me of such a thing?" said Carrie, flaring up in +apparently most righteous indignation--- in reality she was enjoying +herself immensely. She had made up her mind not to tell Elma the truth +at present. By and by she would tell, after she had well frightened her +sister, but certainly not yet. + +"I know nothing whatever about it," she said, caring little for the lie +which she was telling. "I am sorry you have lost it; but how did you get +it?" + +Elma was silent, shutting up her lips tightly. The dinner-gong sounded, +and the girls went down to their midday meal. + +Carrie soon perceived that Elma was in real trouble. With all her low, +idle, careless, and unprincipled ways, at the bottom of her heart she +was fond of her sister. She made up her mind to visit Sam Raynes that +evening and get him to return the money. + +"Poor old Elma," she said to herself. "I don't want to be too hard on +her. It is not the fun I expected when she looks at me with such +miserable eyes. It would certainly not do for her to get talking to +Maggie." + +"You leave the matter to me. I may have a clue," she said, when dinner +was over. "But rest assured on one point, Maggie has nothing to do with +it, nor has mother." + +Here Carrie ran upstairs, to put on her things preparatory to returning +to her pupils. + +Elma was now alone. The hour was three o'clock. At half-past four she +was to meet Gwin Harley and the rest of the Tug-of-War girls. In the +meantime she knew she could not possibly have any peace of mind until +the seven sovereigns were discovered. + +Mrs. Lewis had gone up as usual to her room to lie down. She had a +headache and was in very low spirits. Elma glanced at her once or twice +and determined not to worry her; but Maggie she considered her lawful +prey. She had given Carrie no promise, and felt sure that Maggie and +Carrie between them were at the bottom of the mystery. She determined to +go into the kitchen and terrify Maggie into confession. + +That young woman was busy giving sundry touches to the charming toque +with which she intended to electrify her young man on the following +Sunday. + +"Maggie," said Elma, "I wish to speak to you." + +"Oh lor! miss, how you startled me," cried Maggie. She jumped up as she +spoke, dropping Kitty's violets to the floor. They were so natural, so +beautiful, so exactly like the real flowers, that more than one girl had +remarked upon them, and among these had been Elma. As they lay on the +by-no-means-too-clean kitchen floor, she stooped now to pick them up. + +"Where did you get these?" she asked in a sharp voice. + +"Oh, Miss Helma, they're mine, and you have no right to 'em," was the +quick reply. + +"Where did you get them, Maggie? You're a bad girl; you must have stolen +them." + +"I steal 'em! I like that," said Maggie, turning first crimson and then +very white. "They was give to me by the young Irish lady." + +"By Miss Malone, Miss Kitty Malone?" + +"Yes, miss; the prettiest young lady I ever clapped eyes on; she give +'em to me herself." + +"Look here, Maggie," said Elma, "the violets don't matter. Let us talk +of something else. Do you know anything about some money which I keep in +my drawer upstairs? Now look me straight in the eyes. I miss that money, +and you know I can call in the police and have your boxes searched. Do +you know anything about it? If you'll tell me the truth I'll be merciful +to you. Last night I had seven sovereigns in my drawer, but now they are +gone. Did you touch them, Maggie? Tell me the truth and at once." + +"I touch your money, miss! I didn't know you had any, that I didn't." + +Poor Maggie's face was a study. Perplexity, despair, indignation swept +over it in a sort of terror. + +"Miss Helma, you're cruel to talk to me like that," she cried. "Me touch +your money! No, that I didn't. Oh, miss, is it the money Miss Malone +come about? Is it gone?" + +A wild hope flashed through Elma's brain, to be discarded the next +moment. Could Kitty have come to the house and visited her room and +taken away her own money herself? + +"What do you mean about Miss Malone?" she cried. + +"She come here miss. Oh, Miss Helma, don't look at me so scornfully. She +came here yesterday and asked for you and when I told her you was out +she writ a letter, and said you was to have it the moment you come in, +and that it was as important as the Bank of England. Yes, that she +did--and she laid it on the blotter in the dining-room. She was the +prettiest young lady I ever set eyes on, and she took them violets out +of her cap and give them to me. She was in an awful way, and said she +wanted to see you on a most important matter. I don't know what she +wrote in the letter; but it may have been about the money, miss." + +"Of course it was about the money," said Elma, who felt more and more +uncomfortable each moment; "but where is the letter, Maggie? Why did I +not get it?" + +"You ask Miss Carrie that, miss. She come in, and--. Oh, but I mustn't +tell any more." + +"But you must and shall," said Elma. She took hold of Maggie fiercely by +her arm, dragged her forward to the light, and looked her full in the +eyes. "Now, tell me every single thing you know, or I'll summon the +police this moment," she said. + +Thus adjured, Maggie fell on her knees and made an ample confession. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +GWIN HARLEY'S SCHEME. + + +Elma felt nearly driven to distraction. All her future depended on the +character which she was able to maintain at school. She did not, and she +knew it, belong to the best class of girls who attended Middleton +School. Elma's father was a man of bad reputation. He had long ago +disgraced his family, and had been obliged to go to Australia. Mrs. +Lewis was better born than her husband; and when trouble came, a sister, +who had been much shocked at her marrying Lewis, came to her aid. She +did not do much for her; but she did something. This sister, a certain +Mrs. Steward, the wife of a clergyman in Buckinghamshire, promised to +look after Elma, who was the cleverest and most presentable of the two +girls. Mrs. Lewis begged that Elma should not be taken away from her; +and Mrs. Steward, angry with herself for what she termed her folly, had +yet yielded to her sister's entreaties. She said she would give Elma +what would be better than a fortune--namely, a first-class education; +and if, when her education was finished, she showed intelligence, and, +above all, a good, sterling, moral character, she would do what she +could to place her in life. Her present intention was, after Elma had +gone through a course of instruction at Middleton School, to send her +to Girton, thus enabling her by and by to take a really good position as +teacher. + +All these things Elma knew well. She was an ambitious girl; she +earnestly desired to secure a good position for herself in life. She +hated her sister Carrie's ways, and detested the grumbling, weak sort of +character which she could not but see that her mother possessed. All the +same, she was not really scrupulous nor high-principled; it was only +that the little mean ways and the petty shifts which went on in the +small house in Constantine Road sorely fretted her. Her intercourse with +girls like Gwin Harley and Bessie Challoner could not but raise her +standard. Carrie's manners and ways disgusted her more and more each +day. + +Now, as she put on her hat and prepared to walk to Harley Grove, she +could not help thinking, with great bitterness, of the unlooked-for +calamity which had come upon her. She was naturally intensely selfish, +and had no idea of sacrificing herself on this occasion. No matter to +what subterfuge she must be obliged to stoop, she would never, never, +let any of the Middleton girls know that she had broken the rule of the +school, and borrowed money from Kitty. For a Middleton girl to borrow +money at all was a black crime; but for any one to take advantage of +Kitty's innocence, her _naļveté_, her wild, daring, reckless ways would +make the crime all the blacker. Elma, were such a sin to be discovered, +would be, if not expelled from the school, which was extremely likely, +at any rate tabooed on the spot by all the nice girls who went there. +Above all things, she longed for and esteemed popularity. Such a course +of treatment would be intolerable. As a matter of course, Mrs. Steward +would be told of her niece's transaction. Mrs. Steward would say, "Like +father, like daughter." She would cease to patronize Elma. The fees for +her schooling would be withdrawn, and Elma herself must sink to the +level which Carrie had long ago reached. + +"It cannot be," she thought; "whatever happens, I must keep this +miserable story from the ears of the girls and mistresses. At the +present moment I am fairly safe. Wild and reckless as Kitty is, she +would not dare to hold intercourse with any of the Middleton girls now. +Alice is the only one allowed to speak to her, and Alice she will +certainly not confide in, for she so cordially hates her. Yes, I know +perfectly well what I am going to Harley Grove for. Gwin is full of +sympathy for Kitty; so is Bessie Challoner. Romantic and silly they both +are; but Alice at least will be on my side. I will oppose the petition +which the Tug-of-war girls intend to send to Miss Sherrard. Kitty must +not be set at liberty until I can return her the money. Carrie has it, +beyond doubt. What she has done with it I don't know; but most likely I +shall be able to give it back to Kitty to-morrow." + +Having made up her mind, Elma walked briskly forward. She would she felt +certain, be very unpopular if she opposed the vote which, unless she did +something to prevent it, would be carried by the majority in Kitty's +favor. She was anxious to see some of the other Tug-of-war girls. It was +all-important that a majority should be against Kitty, not for her. + +When she arrived at the avenue which led to Harley Grove she met Alice, +and a moment later two other girls of the names of Matilda and Jessie +Forbes came pantingly up. + +"Oh, do wait for us," they cried, seeing Elma and Alice linger for a +moment at the gate. + +"Alice," said Elma, "before they join us I want to speak to you. Are you +for Kitty, or against her?" + +"How do you mean?" asked Alice in some wonder. + +"I mean, are you going to vote that this petition should be sent to Miss +Sherrard or are you not?" + +"I am going to vote against it, of course," said Alice, with a short +laugh. + +"Well, I am on your side; I wish to say so." + +"You, Elma! I thought you would never oppose Gwin Harley. You are one of +those people who know where their bread is buttered. Why do you take my +part on this occasion?" + +"Because," said Elma, flushing deeply, for, hardened little sinner as +she was, she had not perfect control over her emotions--"because I think +Kitty richly deserves what she has got. It would never do to have this +sort of thing going on at the school. But look here, Alice, if the +petition is not to be sent to Miss Sherrard, we must try and have a +majority on our side. Why should we not secure Matilda and Jessie +Forbes?" + +"I never thought of that," said Alice; "but really, Elma, now I come to +consider it, as far as I personally am concerned, I don't much care. It +matters very little to me whether Kitty gets out of Coventry or not. I +shall have to speak to her however the tide turns. You do seem strangely +eager on the subject." + +"When I join a certain side I don't wish it to be the losing one," said +Elma, as calmly as she could. "Hullo, Matilda, how out of breath you +are! You need not have run so fast; you could see that we were waiting +for you." + +"Well, you see," said Jessie Forbes, who was also panting as she came +up, "we have never yet been to Harley Grove. Is it not a very grand +place, Elma? Was it not kind of Gwin to ask us, and--Oh, of course, we +are full of sympathy for that poor, dear Kitty Malone." + +"Why do you pity her?" asked Elma coldly. + +"Because the poor darling didn't know any better. Does it not seem silly +to make such a fuss about such a trifle? I can't imagine why Miss +Sherrard has been so very severe." + +"I don't agree with you at all," said Elma. "I think Kitty richly +deserves her punishment. Of course," she added, "I don't want to be +really hard on her; but unless she is made to feel shame when she does +an _outré_ and extraordinary thing like she did last night, she will go +on doing similar deeds, and get the whole school into disgrace." + +"Oh dear, yes," said Jessie, "that is perfectly true, and I should not +like father to know that one of the Middleton girls had been spoken to +by a rude boy in the street. I really believe he would take us both from +the school." + +"If you think so," said Elma, "you ought to oppose the petition." + +"Are you going to, Elma?" + +"Certainly." + +"But you are a friend of hers, are you not?" + +"Of course I am. I am very fond of her." + +"And you oppose it for her good?" + +"Undoubtedly; altogether for her good." + +"And Miss Sherrard does know what is right," said Matilda, in a +thoughtful voice. "Miss Sherrard was never a severe teacher. We all love +her dearly." + +"And she is very fond of Kitty," said Elma. "I know that for a fact." + +"Yes, and so do I know it to my cost," said Alice shrugging her +shoulders. She walked up the avenue as she spoke. Jessie ran after her. + +"What side are you going to take Alice?" she asked. + +"Miss Sherrard's," replied Alice shortly. + +Meanwhile Elma had slipped her hand gently through Matilda's arm, and +looking up into the face of the taller girl, said in her most +insinuating voice: + +"I do think, painful as it is, that we ought to take Miss Sherrard's +side. Gwin is so enthusiastic, poor dear, and so is Bessie Challoner, +that they are certain to be led away by their feelings. Now, Miss +Sherrard is the most sympathetic and kindest of head-mistresses, she +would not have given Kitty so severe a punishment without reason." + +"That is true," said Matilda. "Only, of course, you see, Elma, I don't +want to go against Gwin. I am so terribly anxious to become her friend. +I admire her so immensely. I don't think there's any other girl in the +school to equal her." + +"I should think there isn't," said Elma with sudden warmth. + +"I am sorry she has taken Kitty Malone's part--poor Kitty! We certainly +all think her charming; but if father were to hear of it!" + +"You would not like him to take you from the school now," said Elma, +"just when you have such a good chance of the literature scholarship?" + +"I should think not; it would be a dreadful blow. But he would be--oh, I +cannot tell you how shocked he would be!" + +"And he would be more shocked, would he not, if he heard that you had +taken Kitty's part, and had signed the petition against Miss Sherrard?" + +"Of course, I never thought of that. I declare Elma, you are clever. I +will mention what you say to Jessie, and tell her that she must go +against the petition." + +Elma felt that she had won her point. There would be at least four girls +against Gwin's motion, and probably others would follow their example. + +When the girls arrived at the house, they were shown immediately into +Gwin's pretty private study. Gwin was standing by the open window. She +had a book in her hand, but was not reading it. She was looking +anxiously out. There was a perplexed expression on her fine face, and +her large deep gray eyes were full of emotion. + +"I am so glad you have come," she said when she saw the girls. "I hope +all the Tug-of-war girls will be present. The more I think of this +affair the more certain I am that it will be the ruin of Kitty Malone." + +Elma looked sympathizingly at her friend, Alice frowned, Matilda and +Jessie did not know where to look, nor what to say. If they had not met +Alice and Elma they would have certainly gone heart and soul with Gwin +in the matter. + +"Sit down, won't you, girls?" said Gwin. "Tea will be ready in a +moment--are you not thirsty?" + +"Yes, it's a very hot day," said Jessie, somewhat timidly. + +"And you had a long walk; but it was really kind of you to come. We +won't do anything until some more of the Tug-of-war Society arrive. But +perhaps my letters have not reached the others." + +"Oh, I know the Hodgsons are coming," said Matilda Forbes, "because I +met them." + +"I am glad of that. Ah, and here is Bessie." + +Bessie Challoner at this moment entered the room. She shook hands with +the Forbes girls, whom she had not met before that day, nodded to Alice, +and going up to Gwin began to whisper in her ear. + +Gwin looked more anxious. + +"All the same I am determined to do it," she said. + +"I am certain Miss Sherrard will be very angry," said Bessie. "Had you +really better, Gwin?" + +"I certainly had better. I am not afraid of Miss Sherrard, nor twenty +Miss Sherrards, when I think I have a righteous cause. She does not know +Kitty as well as I know her. Ah, here you are," she said as, the +Hodgsons, two rather dowdy, but affectionate girls, came quickly into +the room. + +"What's this Gwin?" cried Mary, the elder; "something wrong with that +Irish girl? What can be up?" + +"I will explain everything to you after we have had tea. Ah, here it +comes!" + +Gwin walked to the table, where the footman now placed tea and cakes, +and began to dispense the refreshments. The girls stood round her +chatting, munching cake and drinking tea. The afternoon sun poured into +the room. Outside it was cool and shady. Gwin went to the window and +drew down the green venetian blinds. + +"Now, that is cooler," she said. "Have you all had enough?" + +"Yes, thank you," answered one or two. + +Gwin rang the bell, and the servant came to remove the tea equipage. + +"And now to business," said Gwin. "What I briefly propose to do is this: +Kitty Malone is in trouble. As a member of the Tug-of-war Society, the +rest of the society is bound to support her. I am most anxious that she +should get all the support in our power. She is not like any of us; she +has been differently brought up. What she did last night was the result +of impetuosity and overzeal. She was troubled about her brother, and for +some extraordinary reason thought that Elma could help her. Elma, can +you throw any light on the matter?" + +"None whatever," answered Elma in a stout voice. + +"She went out with the college cap on and without her jacket, and for +that reason some rough, rude boys talked to her, and she knocked one of +them down in trying to defend herself, and so got into a terrible +scrape. Miss Worrick, it seems, witnessed the transaction, and she told +Miss Sherrard. Miss Sherrard was very much annoyed, and has put Kitty +into Coventry for a week. We are none of us allowed, on pain of instant +dismissal, to speak to her. Now, my proposal is this; that we write a +little petition, and each of us sign it, and then that I take it to Miss +Sherrard. I want to ask Miss Sherrard to allow the members of the +Tug-of-war Society to speak to Kitty. I want to ask her to allow us all +to do our best during her week's punishment to show her that this wild +and erratic way will not go down in England; I want her to allow us to +do our utmost by kindness to overcome Kitty's wild nature. I have +scarcely any doubt, girls, that Miss Sherrard will approve of our +scheme." + +"Well, I for one approve of it most heartily," said Bessie Challoner. "I +believe severity would ruin a girl like Kitty. You cannot drive her; she +must be led." + +"Thank you, Bessie. I knew you would feel with me. And now, girls, I +will put this thing to the vote. All who are in favor of the scheme hold +up their hands." + +The Forbes girls looked tremblingly, with flushed cheeks and glittering +eyes, at Elma and Alice. Their hands went half up and then dropped again +into their laps. It was the fear of their father's displeasure which +prevented their going altogether with Gwin. The Hodson girls immediately +held up their hands; but Alice, Elma, Matilda, and Jessie plainly showed +that they did not mean to sign the petition. + +"Is this possible?" said Gwin in a vexed voice. "I surely thought there +was not--Elma, you must be at the head of this. What is your reason for +not joining us?" + +Alice looked as if she were about to speak; but Elma jumped at once to +her feet. + +"I don't join you because I do not agree with you, dear Gwin. I believe +Miss Sherrard knows a great deal better than we do what is good for a +girl. I am certain she will be much annoyed by our interfering; and for +my part I think a week in Coventry will do Kitty Malone no harm." + +"I am surprised and disappointed in you, Elma," said Gwin, "Alice, what +is your feeling?" + +"Oh, I absolutely agree with Elma," said Alice. "I think it would be a +rare comfort to take any means to subdue and crush out of sight, even +for one week, that most obnoxious person Kitty Malone. The unfortunate +part is that I shall have to do with her even during her week in +Coventry." + +"But surely," said Gwin, in some astonishment, "you two Forbes girls can +have nothing to say against Kitty. It cannot injure you in any way that +we should plead for the mitigation of her punishment." + +"Well, the fact is this," said Jessie, standing up as she spoke, and +looking very miserable. "Father is most particular; he is almost faddy, +you know, Gwin--and if he ever heard that a girl from the school did +exactly what Kitty did last night--I mean that she went out so late +against rules, and was dressed in such a queer way, and was obliged to +knock down a rude boy in order to protect herself--why, I think he would +take us from school. Then if father also heard that we had gone against +Miss Sherrard's authority, we--Oh, I cannot say it exactly as I ought; +but Gwin, I would rather not sign that paper." + +"All right," answered Gwin in some vexation. + +"Then my scheme falls through. Four against and four for. We have only +one other member of the Tug-of-war except poor Kitty herself, and she, I +am afraid, cannot come, as she is ill with a bad cold. Well, I shall see +Miss Sherrard alone and must take my chance." + +"Yes, if you please; that would be much the best plan," said Jessie, +sinking down into her seat with a sigh of relief. + +Soon afterward the little party at Gwin Harley's house separated. There +was a feeling of restraint over them which Gwin's guests seldom +experienced. They were not at one. It was impossible to talk any longer +on the subject with which their hearts were full. Gwin was anxious to +prepare the exact arguments she intended to use with Miss Sherrard. She +looked relieved when Elma made the first move of departure. Alice jumped +up also with alacrity. + +"Good-by Gwin," she said. "I think you are doing wrong to interfered in +this matter. A little punishment will do Kitty Malone no more harm than +it does any other girl. Of course it's not pleasant; punishment never +is. Good-by; take my advice and allow Kitty Malone to shift for +herself." + +Gwin made no reply at all to this. She gave Alice a cold nod, and the +four girls who now formed the opposition left the house. + +"Good-by to all chance of my friendship with Gwin," said Jessie Forbes +rather miserably as they walked up the avenue. + +"Oh, never mind, Jessie, you did the right thing," said Alice. "What is +the good of toadying? I hate toadies. If you are ever to become a +friend of Gwin Harley's you will see that she hates them also, although, +perhaps I am wrong to say that." Here she glanced somewhat significantly +at Elma. Elma colored and turned her head aside. + +When they reached the top of the avenue the girls turned each to go +their several ways. Elma hurried home as fast as she could. + +"I must get that money by hook or by crook this evening," she said to +herself. "I wonder where Carrie has hidden it. Bad as she is, she would +certainly not steal it from me. Oh, it is safe of course, and I must get +it and manage to convey it to Kitty to-night, and then as far as I am +concerned I don't care how soon the poor thing gets out of Coventry." + +When Elma reached home the first person she saw was Carrie. Carrie was +standing on the steps of the shabby little villa in Constantine Road +talking to a fiery-haired young man. + +Elma never condescended to have anything to do with Raynes. Giving him a +very cold nod now, she was about to enter the house when Carrie caught +her arm and stopped her. + +"Why don't you speak to Sam?" she said. "Sam, this is my sister, Elma." + +"How do you do?" said Elma. "I am sorry I cannot wait now; I want to see +mother." + +"There's no use in your going in if it's mother you want," pursued +Carrie. "She has gone out for the evening. Mrs. Duncan has asked her to +tea. I am glad of it. A little change will do her good." + +"I won't keep you now, Car," said Raynes, turning to Carrie and giving +her a somewhat clumsy nod. He looked askance at Elma, and the next +moment had clattered down the steps, and, turning the corner, was out of +sight. + +"What a creature!" said Elma. "I wonder you have anything to do with +him, Carrie. I think, even for my sake, seeing that Aunt Charlotte is +doing so much for me--" + +"Now stop that," said Carrie; "I won't have a word of abuse against Sam. +He suits me very well. I'm not a fine lady, and I never mean to be a +fine lady. I shall be very comfortable as his wife some day, and I don't +want you to abuse him. Whether you like him or not, he is going to be +your brother-in-law and--Why, Elma, how tired you look!" + +"I am tired and worried, and I want to speak to you," said Elma. + +"To speak to me?" answered Carrie, a little alarm coming into her voice +in spite of herself. "What for? Anything special? Are you prepared to +make me a present of another dress; I could do with a white one now the +weather is getting so very hot, and Sam would like me in white. White +with pink ribbons would be a change, or mauve--mauve ribbons look so +sweetly cool with white." + +"I am not going to listen to any of your nonsense," said Elma. "I want +to ask you a straight question. Where is my money?" + +"Your money? What do you mean?" + +"What I say. I have heard the whole story from Maggie, and I can bring +her as a witness. You have put that money in hiding, and I want it at +once. There, Carrie, like a dear old soul, do own up. Let me have the +money without any more delay. Of course you have not stolen it. I know +you have not; but you have hidden it. I wish you would give it back now. +If I can't return it to its rightful owner to-night I shall get into +worse trouble. Do let me have the money back." + +Carrie's face also now became pale. + +"I wish I could," she said in a frightened voice. "Do you mean to say +that you really want it back?" + +"Why, of course. You haven't spent it? Oh, if you have I am +ruined--ruined for life." + +"No, I have not spent it; but the fact is I--What a little wretch that +Maggie was to tell!" + +"She couldn't help herself; I made her. Now, speak out, Carrie. Oh, we +need not go indoors. Where is the money? Please, please, Carrie, let me +have it at once." + +Elma's troubled face, her trembling hands, the anxiety depicted all over +her nervous little figure, could not but show Carrie that there was +something serious in the wind. + +"Well," she said, "I am awfully sorry. I--I just did it in a fit of +mischief. I read that letter which Kitty Malone wrote to you, and it +seemed to throw light on some of your actions which had puzzled me of +late. I went to your drawer and found the money, and thought I would +give it to Sam to keep for you." + +"To Sam Raynes?" cried Elma, backing a few steps, her voice assuming a +tone of terror. + +"Yes. Do be careful, Elma, or you'll fall right down into the area. Why +shouldn't I lend it to Sam Raynes?" + +"Lend it?" + +"Well, well, it's all the same; I asked him to keep it for me." + +"I'll go to him at once and get it," said Elma, preparing to run down +the steps. + +Carrie caught her by the arm. + +"I'm awfully sorry," she said, "but it's no use, he--he says we cannot +have it for a week, perhaps a fortnight. He is doing a little deal with +it, as he expresses it. He says perhaps we'll have it back doubled." + +"What can you mean, Carrie?" Elma knew nothing whatever about +speculation. That will-o'-the-wisp which leads so many astray had not +yet entered into her life. + +"You need not look so miserable. Won't you like to have it back again, +not seven pounds but fourteen? and Sam says this will probably be the +case in a week or a fortnight, or at any rate in a month from now." + +Elma threw up her hand in despair. + +"If I have to wait a month for the money," she said, "I may as well +never have it. Oh Carrie, what have you done? You have ruined me, ruined +me! Carrie, I cannot lead a low, common life like yours; I am not fit +for it. Oh, Aunt Charlotte will never do anything more for me after +this. Kitty wants the money, and I cannot give it to her. Oh, Carrie, to +think that you should have ruined my life!" + +Poor Elma covered her face with her trembling hands and went into the +house. She entered the shabby little sitting-room and sank into the +nearest chair. Carrie stood near her in real perplexity and agitation. + +"What a pity you didn't confide in me when you brought it home," she +said. "Of course I didn't really want to do you an ill turn, Elma; but +you were so sly and secretive, and--and I thought I would have my joke. +You don't know how precious dull my life is; and when I saw that letter +and felt that you were keeping a nice little hoard of money, all private +and without the knowledge of your sister, it was just too much for me, +and I took it to Sam because I didn't know where to hide it safe in this +house." + +"The thing that matters," said Elma, "is the fact that I cannot get it +back. But I must get it; I must see Sam Raynes at once." + +"Tell me why it is so bad," said Carrie. "You must confide the whole +thing to me now. There's no use in keeping secrets from your sister." + +Thus adjured, and because she was almost distracted, poor Elma did tell. +She described as well as she could the terrible position she would be in +at Middleton School if the whole of this transaction were known. She +managed to a certain extent to open Carrie's eyes. + +"Although, I cannot see what they would be so angry about," said Carrie. +"You were offered the money and you accepted it. You never wanted to +keep it; you would have given it back some time; and even if you did +keep that Irish girl out of it for a month, what would it have mattered? +But there--I see you are in a state, and I am sure I don't want to ruin +your life. You, with your high-faluting notions, must not have all your +ambitions dashed to the ground. We'll go together to see Sam, and try to +find out what can be done." + +"Yes, let us go at once," said Elma in feverish haste. "I wanted to take +the money to Kitty to-night. At present she cannot tell on me; but she is +quite certain to do so if I don't return it to her at once. Let us go +down to see Sam now." + +"All right," answered Carrie; "come along. I dare say we'll find him at +home. I hope we shall." + +Five minutes later the girls were standing outside the door of the +Raynes' very humble dwelling. It was opened by Florrie Raynes herself. + +"Hullo, Carrie, what do you want now?" she cried. "Oh, and _Miss_ +Lewis," with a mocking emphasis on the word "Miss." "To what do we owe +the honor of this visit?" + +"I want to see your brother," said Elma brusquely. "He has got some +money of mine, which I must ask him to have the goodness to return at +once." + +"Money?" said Florrie, opening her eyes rather wide. "Well, you can see +him for yourselves; but if it's money that is lent to Sam, I--I rather +pity the girl who wants to get it back from him again. Sam is a very +whale on money. He always swallows it wholesale." + +With these anything but encouraging words, Florrie threw open the door +of the shabby little smoking-room, where Sam, with a pipe in his mouth, +was lying at his ease. He started up when he saw the girls, removed his +pipe, and going up to Carrie, laid his hand familiarly on her shoulder. + +"Well, Car, so you could not do without me," he said with a smile. + +"The fact is this," answered Elma, "my sister has told me that she gave +you seven pounds a couple of nights ago to keep for her. That money +happens to have been lent to me, and I want it back immediately. I have +come for it. Will you give it to me, please?" + +Sam drew in his breath preparatory to giving a long whistle. + +"Highty! tighty!" he cried. "You have very grand airs, Miss Elma Lewis; +but I didn't know that money was borrowed. Ho! ho! this puts a very +unpleasant complexion on things. When dear old Car brought it to me I +thought I might do what I liked with it. Did you not give me to +understand as much Car?" Here he gave Carrie a perceptible wink. She was +very much under his influence, and immmediately too her cue. + +"Well, yes, Sam," she answered. "I did say you might speculate with it +if you liked." + +"Of course you did, my little girl, and I took the hint and did +speculate with it, and a pretty little deal I made. So if you have +patience, Miss Elma, you will get your money back doubled, then you will +be able to return the principal and have a nice little nest-egg of your +own. Now, what do you say to that? Aren't you awfully obliged to me?" + +"I say," replied Elma, "that I want the money immediately. I cannot wait +until you have doubled it, as you call it, whatever you mean by that. +Please let me have it at once, Mr. Raynes. I must have it, I----" + +"I am afraid you ask for the impossible," said Sam in a careless tone. +"I have speculated with the money, and the returns will come in perhaps +in a week, perhaps a fortnight, perhaps longer. I say again that you +ought to be obliged to me. It is not every fellow who would take so much +trouble." + +Poor Elma gave him a despairing glance. There was evidently nothing more +to be got out of him. She left the house without a word. Carrie followed +her into the street. + +"Oh Elma, don't look so miserable," said Carrie. "What is the good of +sinking into despair?" + +"Don't talk to me," said Elma, pushing her sister's hand away. "You have +ruined me; that is the sort of sister you are. And I would have done +anything for you, Carrie. When I rose myself and improved myself in the +social scale, when I got my post as teacher, I would have done all in my +power to aid you and mother; but now--now we must all sink together. Oh, +Carrie, to think that I should be ruined by my own sister!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +PADDY WHEEL-ABOUT'S OLD COAT. + + +It was a moonlit evening in the County Donegal, and there was a broad +bar of silver shining in burnished splendor across the beautiful Lake +Coulin. Two boys were standing on the edge of the lake. A +prettily-trimmed little boat was lying at their feet. One, the taller of +the two, was standing with his hand up to his ear, listening intently. + +"Ah, then, Pat, can't you stop that shuffling?" he cried to his younger +companion. "I can't listen if you keep whistling and moving your feet. +It is about time for Daneen to appear. Kitty is sure to send the tinos, +dear old girl. Father takes care to keep her well supplied." + +"There, I hear Dan's horn; he is coming through the Gap," cried Pat, his +face lighting up. "Stay there, Laurie, and I'll run to meet him. He'll +just be at the other side of Haggart's Glen when I get up." + +The younger boy put wings to his feet, and the next moment was out of +sight. The older boy, thrusting both his hands deep into his pockets, +stood staring straight before him into the silver light caused by a full +moon. The white radiance lit up his young person, his pronounced +features, and handsome face. There were gloomy depths in his big black +eyes, although the slightest movement, the faintest play of expression +would cause them to dance with vitality and fun; the petulant +expression, round lips, curved and cut with the delicacy of a cameo, was +very manifest. The lad was built in almost Herculean mould, so broad +were his shoulders, so upright and tall his young figure. With his head +thrown back, the listening attitude on his face, his black hair swept +from his forehead, he looked almost like a young god--all was _verve_, +expectancy, eagerness in his attitude. + +"If only Kitty is true it will be all right," he muttered. "Ah, then, +what a fool I was when I allowed the other fellows to tempt me to play +that practical joke on old Wheel-about. I don't think the governor minds +anything else; but he cannot stand our making fun of that poor, old, +half-witted chap. Never again will I do such a thing. I would not have +father know this matter for all the world. Hullo! there comes Pat. I +wonder if he has got my letter." + +"Nothing, nothing, and worse than nothing," sang out Pat, extending two +empty hands as he approached. + +"No letter for me?" cried Laurie. He stepped out of the light, and +striding up to his brother, laid one of his big hands on the boy's +slighter shoulder. "No letter? But did you really meet Daneen?" + +"Of course I did. Don't grip me so hard, old chap. He had only one +letter in his pocket, and that was for Aunt Honora, two newspapers for +father, and a heap of circulars--nothing else whatever." + +"But are you certain sure? Surely Kitty would not fail a gossoon when he +was in trouble." + +"I tell you, Laurie, there was nothing from her, nor from any one, +except that one letter for Aunt Honora; but perhaps you'll hear in the +morning." + +Laurie made no reply; his hands dropped to his sides. The next moment he +dived into his trousers pocket and extracted a few coins. + +"Have we enough for a telegram, I wonder?" he said. "Ah, to be +sure--why, we can send one now for sixpence. And I have tenpence here. +I'll wire at once. I say, Pat, we must go to the nearest post office, +and to-night. We will start now; do you mind? We can row across the +Coulin, and anchor the boat at the opposite side, and then it is only +eight miles across the mountains to Ballyshannon." + +"But James Dunovan will have shut up the office," exclaimed Pat; "and if +we are absent from supper what will father say?" + +"Old Jim knows us; he'll open fast enough when he hears that we two lads +have come on business." + +"But they can't send the telegram after the office is shut." + +"Don't make difficulties, Pat. I tell you this is a serious business. +You don't want to be banished from the country do you? We'll go +to the post office at once, and see that the message is sent to Kitty +the very first thing in the morning. Come, what are young lingering +for?" + +"Supper is waiting, and Aunt Bridget will make a fuss. You know we are +not allowed to be out after ten at night." + +"Bother!" cried Laurie. "Well, then, we must go home first. What a +nuisance. We'll have a bite, and then slink out. The dad can think we +have gone to bed. Why, Pat, old boy, I met Wheel-about to-day, and he +was like a mad man. He told me he had collected all that money for his +funeral. What apes we were to touch the coat!" + +"Sure, it's unlike Kitty not to write," said Pat. "She is the last in +the world to leave a fellow in the lurch." + +"Don't I know that? Who's fault it is it isn't hers, poor old girl. +Something has happened to the letter. Now, Pat, let us get supper over, +for we have no time to lose." + +As Laurie spoke he fastened the little boat securely by a rope to a +stone near by, and then the lads turned their backs upon the +silver-burnished lake, and strode into the darkness of a narrow mountain +defile. The path was steep, and they had to scramble up, doing so with +the agility of young ponies. + +"It is the thought of Wheel-about that bothers me entirely," said +Laurie, after a pause. "I don't want to have it lying on my soul--upon +my honor I don't--that I turned the poor old chap's brain still +crazier." + +"Oh, the money will come along before Saturday," said Pat; "and you know +you told him he must wait until Saturday. Don't you worry, Laurie. Come +on, I tell ye; there's the gong sounding at the Castle." + +The deep notes of a very sonorous old gong were distinctly borne on the +breeze; the boys ran, hurrying and panting. A few moments later they had +climbed an almost inaccessible rock, had tumbled over each other up a +lawn, and entered a huge hall, where supper was spread. Squire Malone +was seated at the head of the table; down both sides were crowded +guests and different retainers--Squire Malone's cousins, all of them, +some to the fifth or sixth removed. Miss Honora Malone was at the foot +of the table, and Miss Bridget presided at the tea tray at one of the +sides. + +"Sit down, you lads," roared the squire when he saw his sons; "you have +been keeping us waiting. Now take your places and fall to." + +The boys dropped into the seats reserved for them without a word. They +were hungry, and enjoyed the abundant fare provided. Miss Honora began +to address them with a volley of words. + +"Ah, then, boys," she said, "it is ashamed of you I am. Why should you +come in to supper like that, without your hair brushed or your hand +washed and looking as rough as a pair of young colts? Look at me, now, +how neat I am--I have changed my dress for the evening." As she spoke +she glanced at her thin arms, bare to the elbow, and touched the gold +chain that encircled her scraggy throat. "You'll never get Dublin +manners, you two," she continued, "and what will you do when you go into +society? Ah, it is enough to break the heart to look at ye." + +Laurie winked boldly at her; Pat laughed, and helped himself so some +potatoes. + +"Dennis," called out the lady, addressing her brother, "don't you agree +with me that it is very bad manners on the part of the boys to come to +supper without so much as washing their hands or brushing their hair? +Ought they not to put on evening clothes now that they are almost +assuming manhood's estate?" + +"Oh, leave 'em alone, Honor," was the reply. "Boys will be boys, and +Castle Malone is Liberty Hall. Time enough a few years hence to put on +that high-faluting style. I like 'em as they are: rough diamonds no +doubt, but diamonds all the same." + +The old man looked fondly at his sons. He was a picturesque-looking +figure, with snow-white hair. + +"What will you do, lads, when I send you to England to school?" he said. + +"England, father?" said Pat, turning pale. "It would kill me to leave +the soil on which I was born. Ah, now, father, I could not live through +it; and as to Laurie, why he would--Laurie, you know what you would do." + +"Oh, father's joking," said Laurie, but his face went a little white, and +as he drained off a great glass of ice-cold water his hand trembled a +trifle. + +"It would not be for the making of our happiness, father," he said, just +glancing at his father. "Pat is right--it would about kill us both." + +"You young beggars, kill you, indeed!" cried the squire. "Well, I have +not made my plans yet. I am thinking of it, and you may as well know it. +I have sent the girleen away, and if you can't stand what she can, why, +I don't think you have much grit in you. As to Pat, when he's a little +older he'll have to prepare for the army." + +"Ay, and that's a fine polishing up," said Aunt Bridget, bridling as she +spoke, and arranging the set of her very fashionable sleeve. "My jewel +of a lad, you'll know what life is like then. You'll think a deal of +your clothes, and of the sort of thing that will kill the girls then. +Why, if you know how to manage, and with my help I dare say I can +contrive it for you, you'll get easily into the very height of Dublin +society, and be petted, and spoiled, and coaxed no end. I wonder, now, +how that girleen is conducting herself. Sometimes, Dennis when I look at +you and think how your heart is wrapped up in her and how she is so to +speak the jewel of your eye and the core of your heart I wonder how you +had the courage to let her go." + +"Don't you worry me about it," cried the squire. "I did it for her good. +Laurie, where are you off to?" + +"I have had about enough supper," answered Laurie. Pat also scrambled +to his feet. + +"You are as ill-mannered a pair of young cubs as I ever came across," +cried Miss Honora, now really angry. "Why, the syllabub is coming on +soon, and the trifle, and the cream that I whipped myself. Well, Pat, +you'll have to mend your manners when you get into the army; and as to +you Laurie, you'll never be as good a squire as your father, try hard as +you may." + +A loud laugh at the head of the table interrupted the good lady's flow +of words. + +"Honora, my woman, you are talking to the air," called out the squire. +"The boys are out of earshot. Bless 'em can't you let 'em be? They are +hearty lads, and I don't think I'll send either of them out of the +country unless they happen to displease me." + +Meanwhile the lads had gone down to the lake, unshipped the little boat, +and were by this time half across the Coulin. They soon reached the +opposite shore, jumped to land, pulled up the boat, fastened it, and +started along a long narrow and mountainous path which was the shortest +cut to Ballyshannon. They walked so quickly and the hill was so steep +that they had little or no time for words. Nor were they boys who talked +much when they were alone. Laurie was given to his own meditations. Pat +was always planning some scheme which should circumvent Aunt Honora, who +lived with them, and annoy Aunt Bridget, who nearly lived with them, +although not quite. Aunt Bridget was the most fashionable member of the +family; her real home was in Dublin. She was the one who had worked upon +the squire's feelings until he had decided to send Kitty to an English +school. Pat was not fond of either of his aunts, but he disliked Aunt +Bridget the most. After an hour-and-a-half's brisk walking they reached +Ballyshannon, knocked up the postmaster, who had gone to bed, asked him +to let them in, and confided to him what they wanted. He was a +hearty-looking Irishman, and was soon as much interested in the telegram +which Laurie was to send as the boy was himself. + +"You have heard what a scrape I have got into?" said Laurie. + +"About that poor, mad fellow?" said James Dunovan. + +"Yes; some other fellows and I stole his coat away in a fit of frolic +that day when we were out in the crazy boat on the Coulin. A sudden +breeze got up and the boat upset; and the coat--bad luck to it--sank to +the bottom like a stone. We have tried to get it up, but it is all no +go; it has got right into the mud, and not all the boys in Ireland +could move it. If the squire heard we had played a trick on Wheel-about +he would just do what I don't want him to." + +"And what may that be, Master Laurie?" + +"Why, Jim, he would banish me to England. You think of that!" + +"Ah, to be sure, sir; and it would be a hard punishment entirely, and +all for a boy's freak. But how can you circumvent him, sir? that's the +puzzle, for old Wheel-about is as sly a fellow as walks. He knows his +power with the squire--there's a story about, but I have not got the +rights of it. Anyhow, the squire is always trying to help him. If he +cannot get his coat in which he has hidden all his money he will go +raving mad about the country, and the squire will soon get at the bottom +of the mischief." + +"Oh, that's all right," answered Laurie. I saw there was no help for it, +and I took Wheel-about into my confidence. He promised if I gave him ten +pounds by Saturday next to let the matter of the coat slip by. He said +he would never tell." + +"I wonder now if the craychur is to be trusted," muttered Jim, in a +thoughtful tone. + +"Oh, yes, he is, Jim; don't you meet trouble halfway. If once he gets +the money everything will be as right as possible. But this 'gram must +go off, and you must see to it for me." + +"I'll do that, sir, and welcome, the very moment the office opens its +doors in the morning." + +"How soon do you think it will reach my sister?" + +"Well, to be sure, I expect in about half an hour or an hour at the +most. I often think I'd like to see them messages a-tumbling along the +wires. Do you believe as they go by the wires sir?" + +"Oh, I suppose so; I don't bother my head about it. Now, then, Jim, hand +us a form and we'll fill it in. What do you think we had best say, Pat?" + +"Make it strong," said Pat. + +"Yes, I know that." Laurie stood biting the end of his pencil and +considering the blank form which Jimmy had provided him with. + +"We must make it powerful strong," he said after a pause. "If dad hears +this, we two are about done, Pat. He's the easiest old boy in the world, +but when once he takes the bit between his teeth he is just like Slieve +Loon, our new mare. But I must not keep you up Jim; you are wanting to +get back to your bed." + +"It don't matter, sir; don't you hurry yourself. I told the wife it was +two of the young gentlemen from Castle Malone, and she said I wasn't to +mind how much time I spent with you; it was only proper respect to the +family." + +"All right Jim. Now, then, Pat, what shall I say?" + +"Hurry up," said Pat; "if you're not sleepy I am, and the whole house +will be locked up if we are not quick." + +"I cracked a pane of glass in our window on purpose this morning," said +Laurie. "I thought it might turn out convenient." + +Pat laughed. Laurie, his face flushed, bent over the telegraph form. +After a time, during which beads of perspiration stood out on his +forehead, the following message was transcribed: + +"Miss Kitty Malone, care of Mrs. Denvers, Franklin Avenue, Middleton, +London, S.E.--Wake up, old girleen; hurry with the tin.--Laurie." + +"That's the time of day," he said. "You read it, Jim. Can you make out +the address plain?" + +"Yes, to be sure," answered Jim. "Very well, sir; this shall go. I am +sorry you're in trouble, sir; but I know the squire sends a lot of money +to Miss Kitty, for he is always coming here for postal orders." + +"Oh, I am safe to have it," said Laurie. "Well, good-night Jim, and long +life to you." + +The boys left the office and retraced their steps across the mountain. +They had gone about halfway home when they were interrupted by a curious +sort of sound, something between a croon and a chant. It came nearer and +nearer, and the next moment a grotesque figure showed clearly in the +moonlight. This was no other than Paddy Wheel-about himself. He was a +tall man, with a long shaggy beard, penthouse eyebrows, and eyes which +were lit now with a fitful and uncertain gleam. He was dressed in rags, +his hat was pushed far back on his head, his hair streamed over his +shoulders. The savage and yet pathetic-looking creature stopped now +before the two boys. + +"I say, Paddy, it is all right," said Laurie, going up to him and laying +his hand on his shoulder. "You'll get the tin I promised either +to-morrow morning or the day after. I have just sent a telegram to the +girleen in England. Why, Kitty wouldn't let you suffer; no, not if it +were to break her heart." + +A wild and yet softened look came into the man's eyes. + +"It is because of the girleen I'm fretting," he said. "Listen, you two, +I feel fit to die sometimes when I think the coat is lost, and it is all +on account of the girleen herself. Why, it was she put in the last patch +and a bit of gold was hidden in it; yes, and she sewed it round with her +own pretty hands, the darling." + +"We'll get back the coat some day, see if we don't," said Laurie. "And +meanwhile Paddy, you are safe to have your money on Saturday." + +"All right if I do," said Paddy; "if not it is all wrong. I go to Squire +Malone. Yes, I go to Squire Malone; but I'll wait until Saturday. I +promise that much, and I'll keep my word." + +"You'll keep your word for Kitty's sake?" said Laurie. + +The man nodded; again his eyes softened and changed in expression, the +next moment he had turned on his heel and was out of sight. + +"I do believe the only person he cares for in the world is Kitty," said +Laurie. "Do you remember when he was so ill he would only allow Kitty to +visit him? I say, Pat, we must get back that coat somehow; but in the +meantime the ten pounds will keep matters quiet." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +"WE ARE BOTH IN THE SAME BOAT." + + +Gwin had explained all her points, and Miss Sherrard had listened to her +with indulgence, sympathy, and comprehension. They were seated together +in Miss Sherrard's charming little sitting-room. + +"I am glad you take such an interest in Kitty," she said when the girl +had stopped speaking. + +"I do. She is uncommon; she is unlike anybody else," said Gwin Harley. +"I hope," she added, looking anxiously at the head-mistress, "that you +will feel it right so far to mitigate her punishment as to allow the +Tug-of-war girls to talk to her. This seems just the time for a society +of this sort to help its members. + +"There's a great deal in what you say, Gwin; but all the same, to my +regret, I am obliged distinctly to refuse your request." + +Gwin's face, which had been slightly flushed, now turned pale. She rose +to her feet. + +"Don't be hurt with me, dear," said the mistress in a gentle voice. "I +admire you for your kindness, Gwin, and I can also see the thing from +your point of view; but all the same Middleton School is a very +important one; there are from six to seven hundred girls here. Most of +these girls have got parents; all have got guardians and friends. It +would not do for them to know that such a wild and reckless act as +Kitty Malone has perpetrated should be passed over without a severe +punishment. Kitty will live through this week of isolation and be all +the better for it. At the end of that time you Tug-of-war girls can do +all in your power to help her. For this one week I must insist on her +living in Coventry. She will do her lessons, of course, for it would not +be at all wise to give her a holiday; but no girl belonging to the +school with the exception of Alice must speak to her." + +"I am sorry; and you will forgive me for saying, without any disrespect +to you, that I think you are wrong," answered Gwin. She now held out her +hand to Miss Sherrard. Miss Sherrard took it and pressed it gently. + +"You are a very good girl, Gwin; and I wish with all my heart and soul +that I could grant your request." + +Meanwhile Kitty had returned to the Denvers' house in a whirl of +passionate protest and indignation. She could not understand why she had +been punished. The sin she had committed did not seem to be any sin at +all to her. What did it matter how she dressed or when she went out? The +fact that she had broken a very strict rule of Middleton School did not +affect her. She was now seriously unhappy--the fetters with which she +was surrounded tortured her. How could she live through the terrible +week of isolation? And what made her more wretched than anything else +was the fact that she could not see Elma in order to get the money from +her to send to Laurie. + +Kitty and Laurie had always been more than ordinary friends. The +thoughts of each were known to the heart of the other. If there was one +person in the wide world whom Kitty loved with passion, almost with +idolatry, it was her handsome brother Laurie. The bare idea that Laurie +should plead to Kitty to help him, and that Kitty would be obliged to +turn a deaf ear to his entreaties was enough to madden the reckless +girl. + +The whole of that afternoon she spent in her bedroom, pacing up and down +like a young caged tiger. Mrs. Denvers went to talk to her, but Kitty +would not speak. She would pour out her troubles to no one. Her proud +Irish heart felt as if it would burst from misery; but she would not +stoop to the sympathy of those who, she felt, could not possibly +understand her. + +Of all the Denver family, she liked Fred the best; and when he ventured +to knock at her door in the course of the evening she did not refuse to +open it to him. + +"Come along downstairs at once, Kitty," said Fred, holding out his hand +to her. + +"I would rather stay where I am, Fred, asthore." + +"I say it's a beastly shame to have you treated like this." + +"Oh, don't begin to sympathize with me," said Kitty; "if you do, I'll +cry the ocean full of tears. I am holding them back hard now. You don't +know what a thing it is when an Irish girl fairly gives way." + +"Well, they're beastly hard on you; but I'm sure I would not cry if I +were you," said Fred. I'd just be too proud. But come downstairs to my +den, Kitty; I have made it awfully comfortable." + +"Your den?" said Kitty, her eyes lighting up; "have you got one?" + +"Yes; it's not in the house; it's in the garden, at the further end. +It's a shed; but I have made it waterproof, and I have got a little +lamp, an oil one; and we can sit there and have a jolly talk." + +For a moment Kitty's eyes sparkled with renewed hope. "And I have still +got some chocolates in my drawer," she exclaimed. "We might eat them +together and have a real good time. But oh, that money! it's the money +that's bothering me entirely. Oh dear! dear! I'll let the whole thing +out if I talk any more to you Fred. Fred, it's the true comfort you are +to me, and I'll never forget it to the longest day I live; but I can't +go to that shed with you, gossoon asthore, for if I did I'd let out +everything." + +"But why shouldn't you let out everything?" said Fred. "There's +something bothering you, and you're keeping it all to yourself." + +"But I promised I wouldn't tell, and I don't want to break my word. I +said when she asked me, 'No; I can't keep secrets;' but then it was put +in such a way that I must keep it. I can't go with you Fred; pray don't +ask me again. Good-by to you, and thank you, thank you." + +Kitty ran into her room, shut the door, locked it, and retreated to the +window, to be as far as possible from Fred's insinuating voice and ways. + +Mr. and Mrs. Denvers were out again that night, and the time dragged +terribly. Kitty wondered how she was to live through a whole week of +this torture. + +"I promised Elma that I would not tell about her asking me for that +money," she said to herself. "I wish I hadn't said so now; but she +seemed so earnest, and I really thought nothing of it at the time. Oh +dear, dear! I wonder she does not bring it to me. She must be the +meanest of the mean. I never liked her; but now I hate her. Poor, poor, +dear old Wheel-about! Don't I know what he is feeling, and what Laurie +is feeling, my broth of a boy, my Laurie, asthore! Oh, to think that he +is in trouble, and I can't help him! How I wish I was back in Ireland +now! This will break my heart--it will break my heart." + +Tears filled her eyes; but she was too proud to let them roll over. + +"I will keep them back if I die for it," she said to herself. "I am +Kitty Malone, and they will break my heart if this goes on; but I won't +cry. No, that I won't." + +While these thoughts were coursing through the poor girl's brain, there +came another knock at the door; an insistent and somewhat fierce one +this time. The handle was sharply turned, and the clear voice of Alice +was heard. + +"Open the door at once, please, Kitty," she said. + +Kitty crossed the room, turned the key in the lock, and allowed Alice to +enter. + +"I must beg of you, Kitty," said Alice, "not to lock the door again." + +"And why not, pray? You locked it last night. It was on account of that +I am now in all this trouble." + +"Really, Kitty, you are quite too ridiculous; as if I were the cause of +your trouble. You are in trouble because you disobeyed a strict rule; +and my locking the door or not had nothing whatever to do with it. You +are quite the most tiresome, inconsistent girl I ever came across." + +"Well, it is nothing to you what I am," said Kitty. She sank down on a +chair by the side of her little bed as she spoke; her expression was so +woe-begone, her face so pale, the droop of her eyes so pathetic, that +Alice was slightly touched in spite of herself. + +"I am going to see Bessie Challoner," she said. "If you were different I +would not leave you." + +"Oh, never mind me, pray." + +"All the same, I would not leave you, Kitty; for remember I am the only +girl belonging to the school who may speak to you for the next week; +but, really, your ways are so unpleasant----" + +"And I so infinitely prefer your absence to your company," retorted +Kitty. "So you may go with quite an easy mind." + +"Thanks awfully," replied Alice, with a sneer. Her momentary good-nature +had dried up like the dew. She put on her hat, wrapped a shawl round her +shoulders and left the room. + +Kitty returned to her place by the window. It was now between eight and +nine o'clock. She had refused both dinner and tea, and was in +consequence feeling weak and faint. There was a giddy sensation in her +head to which she was not accustomed. She did not connect it with the +fact that she was starving, and wondered what was the matter with her. +She was too excited and wretched to feel her ordinary appetite. She had +gone through a great deal, and her nerves were reminding her of the +cruel trick she was playing on them. It was very dull in her room; the +gas jet shed a hideous glare over the place. The room in itself was by +no means pretty, for the paper was the worse for wear, and the paint was +nearly worn through to the woodwork. The hangings to the windows and to +the two little beds were of an ugly drab color; and the view out of +these windows only revealed a narrow street. At Kitty's own home she had +a bedroom in the Castle end; the paper hung in ribbons, the door was +draughty, the bedstead rickety and old; but what a view there was from +the windows! A view of Lake Coulin and the mountains in the distance, +and the park lying verdant and green between the lake and the house. +What a breeze blew in at those windows! + +"Oh, I should never be dull if I were locked up in the dear old bedroom +at home," thought the girl. "But here! here it is enough to madden one; +and yet I must stay here, for I cannot talk to the others. I will not +allow Fred to guess my secret. Oh, what a miserable, unhappy, wretched +girl I am! I am a prisoner. Oh, if only Laurie saw me! Dear Laurie; the +darling, the treasure that he is! It would break his heart if he knew +what I am suffering." + +There were no books at all interesting to Kitty in the room, so she +could not while away the lagging hours with a novel. As a rule the +arranging of her wardrobe, the trying on of her many dresses, gave her +pleasant occupation; but she was in no humor to make herself smart that +evening. + +"I suppose the love of dress is a sin," she said to herself; "although +it is one of the rules of the Tug-of-war Society that the girls are to +be fashionably dressed. Anyhow, it seems to have been my undoing, for if +I had only gone out in somber ugly attire last night I might have the +money now for my darling Laurie; and this heavy, heavy weight would be +off my mind, and I should not be in disgrace at Middleton School--not +that that much matters." + +She went to the window, flung it open, and looked out. It was a clear, +starlit night. She could see the sky from between the long rows of +houses. She looked up at it, and then put in her head again. + +"I shall suffocate if I stay any longer in this room," she said to +herself. "After all, why should I obey Miss Sherrard? She spoke about my +word of honor; but I have not given it. I was silent--I was silent on +purpose. If I could only see Elma and get my money back all would be +right, and I could really bear the rest of this terrible week. I have a +great mind to risk it and go to her." + +No sooner had the thought entered the head of the wayward girl than she +proceeded to act upon it. She put on a long cloak which reached nearly +to her feet, a little cap of blue cloth was secured over her mass of +curling hair, and then going cautiously across the room, she took the +key out of the lock, unfastened the door, shut it behind her, locked it +from the outside, put the key in her pocket, and ran downstairs. + +"If the servants or Alice come up they will think I have gone to bed. +What fun if I keep Alice out of her bed for an hour or two!" laughed +Kitty. She was now once more in high excitement and pleasure. It never +took long to raise her volatile spirits. "I hope Fred won't be about. I +don't want to get the poor darling into mischief," she said to herself. +There was no one in sight, however. The younger children were away in +another part of the house, Mr. and Mrs. Denvers were out, the servants +were in the kitchen, Alice was with Bessie Challoner, and Fred was down +in his shed mourning the absence of Kitty, whose bright ways were +fascinating him more and more. + +"It's all right," thought the girl. She left the house, and a few +moments later was walking at a rapid pace in the direction of +Constantine Road. The thought of her disobedience, of the daring of her +own act, but added zest and pleasure to her walk. + +"How happy I shall be when I get the money," she said to herself. "I'll +coax Fred or Mrs. Denvers to get me a postal order to-morrow, and I'll +send it to Laurie at once. Oh, what a weight will be off my mind! Why, +I'll almost feel inclined to turn good again!" + +The walk to Constantine Road was a long one, and Kitty on this occasion +was determined to avoid the neighborhood of the "Spotted Leopard." In +preference she took the short cut across the common. It was very lonely +here, but she had no fear of ghosts or bogies. She walked with her +upright, young carriage, her quick, alert, dancing step. It was ten +o'clock however, before she reached Constantine Road. She ran up the +steps of No. 14, and rang the bell. The door was opened to her by the +servant, Maggie. + +"Oh, Miss Malone," cried that young woman, "is that yourself, miss? I +has got into the most terrible trouble." + +Maggie's face was flushed and blistered with crying. + +"They has took away my wiolets, miss, and I call it a bitter, cruel +shame." + +"Never mind that now, Maggie," answered Kitty, "I want to see Miss Elma. +Is she in?" + +"That she is, miss, and she shan't escape you this time. Come right into +the parlor, and I'll send her down to you." + +Kitty danced into the house. As far as her appearance now went she had +never known a sorrow nor a care in her life. She stood in the center of +the room, waiting impatiently for Elma to appear. + +Maggie having shut her in, went cautiously upstairs. Elma and Carrie +were in their bedroom. Carrie was already in bed. + +Maggie, who seemed to scent mischief all round, thought she would now +act with considerable guile. She knocked a low and gentle knock on the +panel of the door. Elma came to open it. + +"What is it, Maggie?" + +"Miss Helma, will you come outside on the landing for a minute?" + +Elma went out. + +"I have a bit of news about that money, miss. If you'll come right down +to the dining-room I'll tell you there." + +"News about my money, Maggie? Oh, impossible!" But hope, ever ready to +dawn in the human breast, could not help rising now on poor Elma's +horizon. It all seemed utterly impossible; but what earthly sense would +there be in Maggie telling a lie. + +"I was just getting into bed," she said. "Can't you tell me here?" + +"No, miss, it's not me at all; it's news of the money you'll get if you +just come down to the dining-room, and be quick about it." + +"Well, _I_ may as well go. Is there anybody there?" + +"You go and find out, miss." + +"Oh!" thought Elma, "Sam Raynes has repented. He was able to find money +after all, and has brought it to me. This is nice." + +"What's the matter, Elma?" called Carrie from her bed. + +"Nothing, Carrie. I'll be back in a few moments." + +Elma hastily refastened her dress; put up her hands to her hair to +smooth it, and tripped downstairs, full of expectation and hope. Maggie +had relit the gas in the dining-room. Elma bounded into the room. + +"Well, Sam," she exclaimed. Then she stepped back a couple of paces; she +was confronted not by Sam, but by Kitty Malone herself. + +"Kitty!" cried Elma. There was a faintness in her voice, which Kitty had +no time to remark. + +"Yes, Elma, I have come. I have broken my word of honor; but after all, +I never really gave it. I dare say I shall get into a worse scrape than +ever; but I can't help it. I came to you, Elma, because I _must_ have +that money. Will you let me have it now at once please--my eight +sovereigns--will you give them to me now? If I had seen you last night I +should not have been so miserable. I was coming to you when Fred and I +passed the 'Spotted Leopard.' Oh, please, Elma, give me my money at +once!" + +Elma's face could scarcely turn whiter. She looked piteously at Kitty. + +"I wish I could give it to you," she began; "but----" + +"What do you mean; can't you let me have my own money? You have not +spent it, not all of it, have you?" + +"Yes, I--I spent it." + +"You spent all that money! all those eight sovereigns? Oh, Elma, you +must be joking. Can't you let me have some of it back? Please, Elma, +don't say no. It is for Laurie; he is in the most awful trouble. I must +have the money, and at once." + +"I can't give it to you," said Elma. "I am awfully sorry. Sit down, +please, Kitty. Oh, Kitty, you won't tell on me?" + +"I don't know what I'll do," said Kitty. "I am nearly distracted." + +"But you promised you would not tell. You don't know what an awful +scrape I shall get into if you do. And you--oh, yes--you shall have the +money soon." + +"What do you mean by soon; to-morrow? Shall I have it to-morrow?" + +"Not quite so soon as that. Give me a week, Kitty." + +"I can't," answered Kitty. "It is a case of life or death to Laurie. +Your mother must give it to me if you cannot; but have it I must." + +"But you are rich; surely you can manage without it for one week." + +"It is not that, and I am unable to explain. Laurie must have the money. +He wants me to help him about something, and I must send it to him +to-morrow." + +"I wish I could give it to you," said Elma. "I would do anything in all +the world to let you have it back; but it isn't my fault." + +"What did you spend it on? Dress?" + +"Oh, in different ways." Elma had made up her mind not to tell about +Carrie and Sam Raynes. + +"I'll let her think that I spent the money on finery," she said to +herself. "She is sympathizing about dress. I'll let her think that." + +Kitty's hands had dropped to her sides; a look of despair filled her +face. + +"What is to be done?" she said. "I never thought for a moment you could +not let me have it back." + +"You shall have it in a week; that I promise you faithfully." + +"But a week will be no good, Elma. Oh! Elma, Elma, Laurie will suffer +for this. They will take his freedom from him; he will be like a chained +lion; he will lose his spirit; perhaps--perhaps he will die. I cannot +stand it, Elma, I cannot." + +Kitty covered her face with both her hands, and the tears which with +difficulty she had been keeping back all the evening burst forth in +torrents. Kitty did not cry as an English girl might. She cried with the +wild, passionate sobs of those who have seldom exercised self-control. +Elma was dreadfully frightened. + +"Do stop, Kitty," she said. "You make so much noise; mother and Carrie +will hear you. Carrie will come down." + +"What if she does?" cried Kitty. "Oh, Laurie, Laurie! this will break +your heart. You are ruined; ruined for life!" + +"There are more than Laurie ruined for life, it seems to me," said Elma. +"Kitty, I am ever so sorry; but if you will only be patient I will try +and think of some plan of helping you. Now, please, please, promise me +one thing--you won't tell that I asked you for this money?" + +"Why not? I must tell some one. I must get the money somehow." + +"But you made me a promise you would not tell. It is very wrong to break +a promise." + +"I don't care whether it is right or wrong. I cannot keep this secret, +Elma. I must remember Laurie, Perhaps Mr. Denvers will lend me the +money. I must think of Laurie first." + +"Please, Kitty, listen to me. If you will promise to keep my secret I'll +manage to get you the money somehow." + +"But how, Elma?" + +"Oh, I'll think out some plan. Do promise me that you'll keep my secret. +It would be my ruin if it were known. Do promise, Kitty; do, please." + +"I cannot," said Kitty. She walked restlessly to the door. "I must go," +she said; "if I don't they will discover that I am out." + +"And if they do you'll get into an awful scrape." + +"Oh, it doesn't matter; I can't be worse off than I am. My one hope now +is that they will expel me; then I'll have to return to Ireland; and +perhaps I may coax father not to be too hard on Laurie." + +"Then Kitty, you have quite made up your mind to tell all about me?" + +"I think so. I cannot imagine why it matters." + +"But it does, and I must give you the reason. I did wrong, dreadfully +wrong, ever to ask you for that money. I broke one of the strictest +rules of the school." + +"What do you mean?" + +"It is one of the strictest rules of Middleton School that no schoolgirl +must ask another to lend her money. The governors are terribly +particular. If it is ever known I shall be most likely expelled. Anyhow, +my character will be gone, and I shall be ruined for life. Oh, Kitty, +you have not such a hard life as I have. Do have pity on me." + +Kitty stood silent; she was thinking deeply. + +"You'll promise; won't you?" repeated Elma. + +"I can't say. I scarcely know what I am doing at the present moment." + +"Then listen to me. If you tell about the money I'll tell about this +visit. There; don't you see now we are quits." + +"You tell! That would be mean of you." + +"Yes. I'll tell that you broke your parole." + +"But I never gave it." + +"Oh, that is only begging the question, Kitty. Miss Sherrard understood +that you had given it. When you came here you broke it. You'll get into +a terrible scrape." + +"And you spoke to me, Elma; so you too will get into a scrape." + +Kitty's tears stopped like summer rain, and a flash of sunshine flew +across her charming face. + +"Poor Elma, you will be in hot water too," she said. "What a muddle +everything is in." + +"You see, Kitty, we must cling together, for we are both in the same +boat. I'll do my utmost to get you that money. I am sure I can manage +somehow. But you must not tell." + +"All right. I'll keep the secret until after school to-morrow. Good-by, +Elma." + +She left the house, and Elma returned to Carrie. + +"Who were you talking to all that time?" exclaimed Carrie. + +"That unfortunate girl, Kitty Malone." + +"You mean to say she was here?" + +"Yes; she came about the money. I am miserable about it. I promised to +get it for her by hook or by crook. How can I manage?" + +"Look here," said Carrie after a pause, during which she was sitting up +in bed and thinking intently. "You say that Kitty Malone is very rich?" + +"Yes, of course she is. She has more money than she knows what to do +with. Why, I tell you, Carrie, the day she lent me those eight +sovereigns I saw fifteen in her purse. Fancy a girl having fifteen +sovereigns just to do what she liked with? I could scarcely realize it. +I took the money before I knew what I was doing. She did tempt me so +sorely when she showed me her purse." + +"Oh, I'm not a bit surprised," said Carrie. "If I had been in your shoes +I'd have taken the whole fifteen sovereigns just as soon as the eight. +But listen to me, Elma; I have a plan in my head. I'll talk it over with +Sam to-morrow; perhaps we can get the money; but there's no saying. +I'll talk it over with Sam." + +"I wish you would not. I would rather not get it through his means." + +"What a dislike you have to him." + +"I have. He is not good enough for you, Carrie. Oh, Carrie, dear, I vow +and declare that I'll work for you and mother; I'll work my very fingers +to the bone; I'll do anything for you. Only don't marry that horrid +fellow." + +"How excitable you are, Elma, and queer. Sam suits me very well. Oh, if +you don't want his help you need not have it--remember it is your +scrape, not mine." + +"It is your scrape, too, Carrie. You stole the money and gave it to Sam +Raynes. You are a thief, and you have ruined your sister." + +"If you begin abusing me I shall certainly not stay awake any longer," +said Carrie; "I'm dead with sleep as it is. Now, do put out the candle, +like a good girl. I'm off to the Land of Nod." + +Carrie pulled the clothes over her head and struggled down among the +pillows. Elma stood and stared out of the window. + +"I wonder if I could do it," she said at last to herself. "It might be +the best plan; and Gwin is very kind and very rich. I wonder if I dare. +Anything seems better than my present predicament." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +"I CANNOT HELP YOU." + + +Elma scarcely slept that night. At an early hour on the following +brilliant summer's morning she stole softly out of bed, glanced for a +moment at Carrie, as she lay sleeping the sleep of the just, with her +towzled hair tossed about the pillow, and then, getting deftly into her +own clothes, left the room without arousing the sleeper. She had made up +her mind very definitely what to do. Without even waiting to get any +breakfast, she unfastened the hall door, opened it, and stepped out into +the full radiance of the summer's morning. A quick walk brought her in a +little over half an hour to Harley Grove. When she went up the ponderous +flight of steps which led to the principal door of the mansion a clock +far away struck the hour of seven. + +"It is terribly early," she said to herself, "terribly early to disturb +her; but it is my only chance. I must have time; I cannot rush this +thing. If she can help me I believe she will; and anyhow, I do no harm +by what I intend to say to her." + +Elma rang the bell, but her early summons was not immediately attended +to. Presently a servant girl, who looked as if she might be one of the +under-housemaids, unbolted and unbarred the door, and opened it a few +inches. "When she saw a neat-looking girl, in all probability a +schoolgirl, standing outside she opened it a little further and her jaw +dropped in some astonishment. + +"I have come here," said Elma to know if I can see, Miss Harley +immediately on very special business." + +"I don't know, miss, I am sure," answered the girl, who was a stranger +in those parts. "I can't say that you can see Miss Harley now, for I +think she is fast asleep and in bed, miss." + +"It is of the utmost importance or I would not disturb her," said Elma. +"I have brought a note with me; can you manage in some way to have it +delivered to her? I can wait downstairs in any of the rooms until I get +her answer." + +As Elma spoke she slipped a little three-cornered note into the girl's +hand, at the same time placing in it one of her own most valuable and +very few and far between shillings. + +"Can you manage it for me?" she said. "It is really of the utmost +importance." + +A shilling was a small bribe; but the housemaid was young and +tender-hearted. She looked again once or twice at Elma, who could wear a +most pleasing expression when she chose, and then, ushering her into a +small room to the left of the wide entrance hall, departed slowly +upstairs on her errand. + +While she was away Elma fidgeted, walking from end to end of the little +room into which she had been admitted. All depended, or so she imagined, +on her note reaching its destination. She knew Gwin's kind heart; she +was certain that if Gwin received the note, however tired and sleepy +she was, she would at least see her for a few minutes. Elma had worded +it craftily. + +"I am in great trouble," she had written. "It is connected with Kitty +Malone. I see my way to helping Kitty if you, Gwin, can help me. But I +must see you now at once. Let me come to your bedroom. I would not +disturb you if it were not a matter of life or death." + +This note, sufficiently startling in its contents, was given by the +under-housemaid to Gwin's own special maid. The girl, after some +deliberation, said she would venture to give it to Gwin, early as the +hour was. Accordingly she stole into the shaded bedroom, drew up one of +the blinds, and when Gwin opened her sleepy eyes presented her with the +little three-cornered note on a salver. + +"There's a young lady, a Miss Lewis, waiting downstairs. She brought +this note and begged that it should be delivered to you at once, miss. I +ventured under the circumstances to wake you, as the young lady seemed +from all accounts to be in a desperate way." + +"What can it mean?" said Gwin. She sprang up in bed, tore open the note, +and read the contents. + +"Is my cold bath in the room, Simpson?" she asked of her maid. + +"Yes, miss; in your dressing-room." + +"Well, I shall dress at once. Go down, please, to Miss Lewis and tell +her that I'll be ready to see her in my study in twenty minutes." + +The maid departed on this errand, which brought much relief to poor +Elma. + +In less than the time named she was summoned by Gwin's maid to come +with her to Miss Harley's study. There a moment later she and Gwin were +clasping each other's hands. Gwin was in a long white dressing-gown; her +hair streaming over her shoulders. + +"Well, to be sure, Elma," she exclaimed, "you are an early bird. Now, +what do you want with me? I am full of curiosity. You are in trouble, +and it is something connected with Kitty Malone?" + +"Yes," said Elma. "I am desperate, and I have come on a desperate +errand, Gwin. Can you manage, somehow or other, in some fashion, to let +me have the use of eight pounds for--for say a fortnight?" + +Gwin Harley gasped; not only at the magnitude of the sum demanded, but +also at Elma's audacity in asking for it. + +"You want eight pounds," She exclaimed. "But, Elma, you know the rule?" + +"Oh, yes, I know the rule; and it is because I am fairly desperate I +apply to you. You might lend the money to my sister Carrie; or perhaps +mother would be best. It might be managed so that I didn't appear to +borrow it. I would not ask for it if--if the trouble were not terrible; +and--and the secret belongs to another." + +"What do you mean?" + +"It belongs partly to Kitty Malone." + +"I cannot help you," said Gwin decidedly. + +"Why? Oh Gwin, I did not know you could be so cruel." + +"You don't understand, Elma. I am surprised that you should ask me. How +could I break one of the strictest rules of the school?" + +"Oh, but you need not really break it; I mean it could be managed in +this way: Would not your father lend mother the money? You need not do +it at all; all you have to do is to ask him." + +"You must tell me everything, Elma. This is most mysterious. Why do you +want money? Is it for yourself? You must tell me every single thing." + +"I cannot tell you, because the secret is not mine." + +"You say Kitty is mixed up with this?" + +"Yes, yes." + +"And you will not tell why?" + +"I cannot. I wish I could." + +"Then, Elma, I also must be firm. I cannot help you." + +"You will not ask your father?" + +"How could I? It would be a subterfuge--the whole thing would be a +subterfuge. I must have nothing to do with it. I am sorry, Elma, for I +see you are in great trouble; but I am powerless." + +"Then I am ruined," said Elma. She covered her face with her hands, and +the tears trickled slowly between her fingers. + +"I wish I could help you," said Gwin kindly. "Is there any other way?" + +"No other way. I want eight pounds for a fortnight--I want it +desperately. You could manage to let me have it without breaking the +rules of the school, but you will not." + +"I am truly sorry, but--I will not." + +"Oh, Gwin, if you would only trust me. We were always friends, were we +not?" + +"Yes," answered Gwin slowly. "I have always liked you, Elma." + +"We were friends," continued Elma, wiping the tears passionately from +her cheeks; "and I did think last night, when I was in such trouble, +that perhaps you could come to my aid. I thought you would trust me +without my telling you everything." + +"I cannot, Elma," said Gwin again. + +"Why?" + +Elma now looked steadily into Gwin's face. Gwin looked gravely into +hers. After a time Gwin spoke slowly: + +"Because," she said--"forgive me, Elma--you are not trustworthy." + +"Oh!" said Elma. She turned first pale and then red. + +"There is no use in my staying," she said, after a pause. "I am sorry I +got you up so early." + +"Oh, that does not matter," said Gwin, in an altered tone. "I would do +what I could to help you; but I cannot do the impossible." + +"I see that I was mistaken in you." + +"Not at all," replied Gwin. "You found me what I have always been. I am +naturally careful. I never jump to wild conclusions; I am not impulsive. +I have liked you, and I shall go on liking you in the future." + +"Even though I am not trustworthy?" + +"Yes; I shall like you for what you are. You have always been nice to +me, and I wish to be nice to you. Please understand that this will make +no difference." + +"And you won't tell what I came about?" + +"No, I shall never mention it. Now, must you go?" + +"I must," said Elma. + +The full morning light fell upon her face as she spoke, and Gwin +noticed that it looked small, pinched, and thin. + +"You must have some breakfast first," she said. She walked across the +room and sounded the bell. The servant appeared in a moment. + +"Order breakfast to be served here this morning," said Miss Harley, "for +two, please." The maid withdrew. Gwin opened the window and looked out. + +"I am very sorry for Kitty," she said, after a pause. + +Elma did not reply. After a time she said slowly: + +"Did you see Miss Sherrard last night?" + +"I did; but it was useless. She won't retract her mandate." + +A sigh of relief came from Elma's lips. + +The servant again appeared with breakfast. Gwin poured out tea for her +friend. Elma drank a cup, her throat felt dry. She saw no way out of her +difficulty. She could scarcely bring herself to eat. + +A few moments later she was on her way back from Harley Grove. She +hesitated whether to go straight to the school and wait there until nine +o'clock or to return to Constantine Road. After a little reflection she +decided on the latter course. She reached home hot and weary between +eight and nine o'clock. Carrie was seated at the breakfast table; a +letter lay on Elma's plate. + +"Why, Elma, what have you been doing out and about at this unearthly +hour?" said Carrie, as she cracked the shell of an egg by no means +fresh. + +"Where is mother?" remarked Elma, as she seated herself at the table. + +"She has a bad headache. I have sent up her breakfast. Are you going to +see her?" + +"No, I think not. I shall just have time to eat something--not that I am +specially hungry--and then start for school." + +"There's a letter on your plate. Why don't you read it?" + +"I know; it's from Aunt Charlotte." + +"Well, well, and you are interested in Aunt Charlotte more than I am," +said Carrie. "Do read your letter." + +Elma somewhat languidly tore open the envelope. The next moment she +uttered an exclamation, and her face went first red and then pale. + +"Aunt Charlotte writes to say she is coming here to-day." + +"To-day! Good gracious!" said Carrie. "She doesn't want me to stay in, +does she?" + +"Oh, no; but this is terribly awkward." + +"Why so, Elma? Why shouldn't you ask her to lend you the money?" + +"Ask Aunt Charlotte! I may as well put my hand into the fire." + +"Well, suppose I were to help you," said Carrie, after a time. + +"You, Carrie; how could you?" + +"But suppose I were to--I am not the sort of person who does anything +for nothing. What would you give me if I got you out of this?" + +"But how could you get me out of it?" + +"Why, I suppose by giving Kitty the money." + +"Carrie, you talk nonsense. Unless, indeed, you were to persuade Sam +Raynes----" + +"Oh, it's useless to worry poor Sam. He has speculated with that money, +and if he doubles it we shall have it back. I think when that time comes +the very least you ought to do, Elma is to give me half of the balance +over and above what you borrowed. That would be three pounds ten, for me +quite a nice little sum. It would keep me in ribbons, gloves, and boots +for a bit. I get such a very small salary." + +"Well, the money has not been doubled; it's time enough to talk of our +chickens when they are hatched," said Elma. She rose from her seat, +looking despairingly at the open letter which she held in her hand. + +"After all, I may as well take this up to mother," she said. + +"One moment before you go, Elma. Would you like me to help you, or would +you not?" + +"If you could help me, Carrie, of course I should be obliged." + +"And what is the punishment they have inflicted upon that Irish lass?" + +"Oh, dear me, Carrie, I told you all about that yesterday; she is in +Coventry--we are none of us allowed to speak to her." + +"All the same, you did speak to her last night, don't forget." + +"Yes, I could not help myself; but if it was found out it would go hard +with us both." + +"Then I am the one to interfere," said Carrie _sotto voce._ "I'll do my +best, Elma, and trust to you to make it up to me when I have got you out +of this scrape." + +"I wish you would do something, Carrie; but I don't suppose you can. +It's awful to think of Aunt Charlotte coming now. If I can't help Kitty, +Kitty is sure to tell, and then it will be all over the school. They +won't blame her so much as they'll blame me. Oh dear, dear! if you would +do something!" + +"Well, I promise that I just will," said Carrie. "Now go off to school +with an easy mind." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +KITTY TELLS THE TRUTH. + + +Early the next morning Kitty received her telegram. It certainly was not +at all calculated to soothe her. She was restless and miserable before; +now her hands shook so violently that she could scarcely eat her +breakfast. + +Alice acted somewhat the part of a jailer; she had to convey the +disgraced girl to Middleton School. + +"I am ill; I won't go," said Kitty, bursting into tears. + +"You had much better come, Kitty," said Alice, speaking almost kindly +for the first time in her life; she really pitied poor Kitty at that +moment. "If you will only take your punishment patiently it will soon be +over, and I know for a fact," she continued, "that many of the girls are +only too anxious to make it up to you by and by." + +"Oh, it's not that," said Kitty; "it is because I am so wretched. I have +a great trouble at home; but there, there's no use in talking to you +about it, Alice." + +"So you always say," answered Alice. "Whenever I want to be the least +bit good to you, you put me off; but never mind, I am sure I can do +without your friendship. Anyhow, I think you must come to school unless +you are so ill that mother will be obliged to send for the doctor." + +"Oh, I don't want that," said Kitty, "I never had a doctor in my life. +If you'll wait for me, Alice, I'll go upstairs and put on my hat." + +She rushed to her room, flung herself on her knees for a moment by her +bedside, and uttered a frantic prayer to Heaven. + +"Oh! God, in your mercy, keep Laurie from doing anything desperate," +cried the unhappy girl. She then joined Alice downstairs. Her face was +white; there were heavy black lines under her eyes; she had never looked +prettier, more pathetic, more likely to win sympathy from the other +girls. + +At prayers that morning all eyes were directed to Kitty Malone. She was +not allowed to sit with the others, but was given, a place on the bench +with the teachers. Here she faced the rest of the school. It would have +been a cruel position for another girl; but it did not matter to Kitty, +for she saw no one present. Her eyes, with that queer inward look in +them, were gazing straight, not at the scene before her, but at the old +home in Ireland. The squire, whom she so passionately loved, roused to +the last extremity of anger; the boy, whose heart was hers, crushed, +trapped, imprisoned, his liberty taken from him. Kitty trembled from +head to foot; she could scarcely restrain her terrible emotion. + +After school she accompanied the others to the classroom, but in +absolute silence. She was given her usual lessons to do, but at a table +by herself. Her punishment was to be carried out in all its fullness; +but, dreadful as it would seem to most, it did not touch her at all +to-day. Her head ached, her eyes felt dim. Laurie's telegram, which lay +in her pocket, seemed to scorch into the very depths of her heart. She +had not even been allowed to answer it; the whole weight of her trouble +lay unrelieved upon her. The poor child was unaccustomed to such +anguish, and her self-control was in danger moment by moment of giving +way. + +As she strove to get that dull piece of English history into her head, +as she endeavored to follow the rules of syntax, as the knowledge that +she never, never to the longest day of her life, would understand what +was meant by the possessive case, alongside with these feeble little +efforts to follow her lessons, ran the dark thought of how, by what +possible means, she could help Laurie. And more and more as the time +went on she felt that she could not keep her promise to Elma. Elma had +been cruel to her; she had borrowed her money when she knew she had not +the most remote chance of paying it back; she had spent it according to +her own saying in the most frivolous way. Now, for the first time, Kitty +learned to despise dress. How could Elma spend the money which was to +save Laurie in anything so contemptible as ribbons and finery? Kitty +looked down at her own neatly-appointed clothes; her perfect little +shoes peeped out from beneath the frill of her dress. Notwithstanding +her misery she was as neat as usual in her attire; but now she had no +heart to appreciate gay clothes, good looks, pretty ribbons--any of the +things which usually delighted her. Laurie seemed to cry to her; she +fancied she could hear his voice coming across the waters to her +ears--Laurie, who had always trusted to her, who, strong as he was, was +not quite so strong as Kitty when scrapes and troubles were about. Oh! +if only she could go to him! If only she might relieve her feelings and +tell the exact truth to Miss Sherrard! What kept her back? Nothing +whatever but the thought of Elma. She had given Elma a promise, and, +tempted as she was, she must not break it. + +As this thought came to her she remembered that she had only promised +Elma to keep the secret until after morning school. That time would soon +be up. + +"Once Miss Sherrard knows I am certain she will help me," thought Kitty, +"though I don't want to excuse myself; yet I know that a great deal of +the blame of my proceedings will be lifted from my shoulders to Elma's. +Why should I go through all the suffering, and Elma sit there looking so +calm, and quiet, and still?" + +As these thoughts rushed through Kitty's mind she glanced up for the +first time, and calmly surveyed the great room full of her +fellow-students. As if with one impulse all the girls raised their eyes +and looked back at her. There was pity on most of the faces, amusement +on a few, curiosity on a few others; but on Elma's face alone was an +expression of intense anxiety and misery. Kitty had the kindest heart in +the world. The moment she saw this expression the idea of betraying Elma +melted from her mind. + +"She does look wretched," she said to herself. "I must not speak to her; +I dare not, and yet--yet--I should like her to know that I am not going +to be hard on her." + +Kitty tore off a piece of her exercise book and managed, when she +thought no one would see, to write a little note to Elma. In this she +said, "Don't be afraid, Elma; I have made up my mind not to tell." + +This note she twisted up, and, as the girls were going to the playground +for recess, managed to flash an intelligent glance toward Elma. Elma +approached close to her table, Kitty stretched out her hand, and Elma's +fingers were just about to close over the note, when, by an unlucky +chance, there came a breeze through the window, and the note, for some +inconceivable reason, fluttered from Kitty's hand to the floor. In an +instant Miss Worrick had seen it. She was just stepping forward when +Elma like a flash caught it up and tore it into fragments. She would not +for the world have the note seen. Miss Worrick, filled with anger, came +up to Kitty. + +"You are a bad girl, the worst girl I know," she said. "You are not even +honorable. Did you not give your parole that you would not hold +communication with another girl in the school, and yet you have been +trying to communicate with Elma Lewis by means of writing?" + +"Writing is not speaking," said Kitty, now standing up very erect and +proud, and replying to Miss Worrick as pertly as she could. + +"Don't answer me, miss; you grow worse and worse. Elma Lewis, do you +know anything about that note?" + +Kitty looked full at Elma. If she was going to be true to Elma, would +Elma be equally true to her?" + +"I know nothing about it," said Elma promptly. + +Kitty's eyes filled with withering scorn; an expression of disdain +curled her pretty lips. + +"You are quite certain, Elma? Kitty Malone seems to have a great anxiety +to communicate with you. Can you throw any light on the scrape she has +got into?" + +"I know nothing whatever about her secrets; I--I have nothing to do with +them," said Elma in an agitated voice, which she endeavored in vain to +render calm. + +Gwin Harley, who had stopped on her way out of the classroom, paused to +listen to Elma's words. + +Kitty's face was now white as death. She did not glance at Elma; she was +looking the other way. + +"Leave us, girls," said Miss Worrick. + +The next moment the great classroom was empty, with the exception of +Miss Worrick and Kitty Malone. Kitty was standing upright as a dart. + +"Take me to Miss Sherrard; I want to speak to her," she said. + +"I am certainly going to take you to her. You are a very, very wicked +girl. I doubt not you will be expelled." + +"Oh, I hope I shall," said Kitty. "I should like nothing in all the +world better." + +"You would? You are quite incorrigible. Do you know, you wretched girl, +what it means?" + +"No," answered Kitty; "I wait for you to tell me. What does it mean, +Miss Worrick?" + +"That you are tainted for life, disgraced for life. Wherever you go it +will be always remembered to you that your conduct was so bad at school +that you were obliged to be expelled." + +"But that won't matter in old Ireland," said Kitty with a hollow, +forced laugh. + +"Yes, it will; it will break your father's heart. There are no people so +proud as the Irish. They can stand a good deal; but any cloud on their +honor----" + +"Ah, you are right," cried Kitty, standing still, and a queer change +coming over her face. "Our honor--no one ever touched that yet." + +"It will have a nice blow when you are dismissed from Middleton School," +said Miss Worrick, glad to find a point in Kitty's hitherto invulnerable +armor. "Come with me at once, you bad girl. I must explain your conduct +to Miss Sherrard." + +"I have something on my own account to say to Miss Sherrard," answered +Kitty in a proud voice; "something which will explain a good deal." + +"I am glad to hear it; but I scarcely think any words of yours can +remove the stigma on your character. But come; I have no time to argue +with you further." + +Miss Worrick now led the way into Miss Sherrard's little sitting-room. +Miss Sherrard was standing near the window; she turned quickly when she +saw Miss Worrick, and a displeased and withal a troubled glance filled +her eyes as they rested upon Kitty." + +"Anything fresh?" she said, turning to the teacher with a weary +expression in her voice. + +"Only just what I expected," said Miss Worrick with bitterness. "Kitty +Malone is not to be trusted. Yesterday she gave her word of honor----" + +"I didn't," interrupted Kitty. + +"Kitty my dear, allow your teacher to speak." + +"She gave her word of honor, or equivalent to it, that she would submit +to the punishment which you rightly inflicted upon her. Well, I found +her just now in the act of smuggling a note into Elma Lewis' hand." + +"Oh, but this is very bad, Kitty," said Miss Sherrard. "Did you not know +what your word of honor meant?" + +"I never promised anything," replied Kitty. "You spoke; but I was +silent." + +"Pardon me, my dear; that is begging the question. You were told that +you were not to communicate with any of your fellow-pupils. Your silence +signified consent. Kitty, I am ashamed of you." + +"As you know so much you may as well know all," said Kitty, desperation +in her tone. "I did far worse than you think. Last night I went out +again after dark by myself to see Elma Lewis. I had an interview with +her. I talked to her, and she talked to me. That was not exactly her +fault; for I forced her to speak. Now, you know how very bad I am. Expel +me if you wish. I know you will after this. I am in dreadful disgrace. I +only wish I were dead." + +"Leave us, Miss Worrick," said Miss Sherrard. + +The door was closed behind the governess; and the head-mistress, taking +one of Kitty's cold hands, led her to a seat near herself on the sofa. + +"There is more behind," she said. "Kitty, you must tell me the truth." + +"I long to tell you," answered Kitty. "A short time back I had made up +my mind to conceal it because the telling would make another girl +miserable--miserable for life. Now my feelings are changed." + +"I am glad that you are at last willing to confide in me," said Miss +Sherrard in a kinder tone. "Tell me everything, Kitty, and as quickly as +you can." + +Thus counseled, Kitty's reserve absolutely gave way. The whole miserable +story was quickly revealed: Elma Lewis' request for money; Kitty's +generous response; Laurie's passionate and anguished letter; Kitty's +desire to help him; her reasons, which had almost driven her mad, for +seeking Elma; her desperate resolve at last to go to her late at night; +then Elma's passionate beseeching of her to keep the secret; Kitty's +promise that she would do so until after morning school that day; then +her further resolve, when she saw the look of misery on Elma's face, to +keep it altogether even at the cost of breaking Laurie's heart; then +Elma's conduct when the note was discovered. + +"I scorn her now," said Kitty. "I don't regard any promise I ever made +to her. I am glad to tell. She is false, cowardly, and I scorn her. Miss +Sherrard, you know everything; expel me if you must." + +"Yes, I know everything," replied Miss Sherrard. She sat still for a few +moments, lost in anxious thought. She blamed Kitty still, but she also +deeply pitied her. Her feelings toward Elma were so strong that she +could scarcely trust herself to speak of them at the present moment. + +"My honor is gone, and my heart is broken," continued Kitty. "Of course +you will expel me after this; and, indeed, I want to go home. Please, +Miss Sherrard, let me go home; I cannot stay any longer at school." + +"My dear Kitty," said Miss Sherrard, "I am very sorry for you. I am +certainly glad at last to know the truth. You, poor child, have been +more sinned against than sinning. I cannot tell you what I think about +Elma. Such a girl does more mischief in a school than twenty like you. +Stay, my dear; stop crying. Kitty, Kitty, what is it?" + +"I feel nearly mad--Laurie is in such trouble. May I not at least answer +his telegram?" + +"Yes, here is a telegraph form. Fill in what you like; I will send it at +once to the post office." + +"Miss Sherrard, would it be possible for you to lend me the money?" + +Miss Sherrard shook her head. + +"I could not do it, Kitty; nor would it be right. Your brother has done +distinctly wrong; and if you telegraph to him now I hope you will +counsel him to go straight to your father and confess everything. There +is never the least use in concealment where wrong-doing is concerned, my +dear." + +But Kitty's eyes had now blazed again with renewed passion. + +"You are not a Malone nor an Irishwoman," she cried. "You do not know +Ireland, or you would not speak in that tone. I counsel Laurie to tell +father what he did to poor Paddy Wheel-about! I counsel him to say that +he took the old man's coat--stole it from him! Miss Sherrard, you don't +know father. Laurie did it, it is true, in a fit of bravado; but father +would never understand. He would be furious, wild; Le would punish him +severely. Oh, I must get that money somehow, in some fashion!" + +"Kitty, you are speaking disrespectfully," said Miss Sherrard, "and I +cannot allow it. I am sorry for you, my dear; you are dreadfully +overcome at present. Go home now; I will see you again in the +afternoon." + +Poor Kitty left the room without even bidding her teacher good-by. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +AN EYE-OPENER. + + +In her own room the miserable child fell on her knees, and gave way to a +burst of passionate weeping. She cried as she had never cried in the +whole course of her life before; her tears seemed as though they could +not cease. She was so exhausted at last that, kneeling by her little +bed, she fell into a sound sleep. In her sleep she dreamed that she was +home again; but all was confusion, worry, distress. Laurie was going to +a school in England; Laurie's heart was broken. Old Paddy Wheel-about +was dead; the squire was so upset and so angry that he would not even +allow Kitty herself to comfort him. Aunt Honora was grumbling and going +from room to room in the old Castle. Aunt Bridget was talking about +dress, and scolding Kitty with regard to the state of her wardrobe. +Kitty's head ached, and she felt a sense of irritation. + +"And it's so pretty," said Aunt Honora. "Those ruffles round the skirt +are done in such a dainty manner, and--oh, I won't disturb you if you'll +allow me just to take the pattern. I can in a moment--don't move, don't +move!" + +Kitty opened her eyes in some bewilderment, and gazed full into the fat +and somewhat red face of Carrie Lewis. It was Carrie's voice she had +heard, piercing through her dreams. It was Carrie who was bending by +her side and holding up a length of her skirt in her hand. + +"Oh, don't move, pray; I have just got the set of it; it's very curious +and very fashionable. I know Sam would like it awfully." + +"Who are you, and what do you want?" said Kitty, jumping to her feet and +confronting her unwelcome visitor with flushed cheeks and sparkling +eyes. + +"I knocked at your door several times, and you didn't answer," said +Carrie; "so then I opened it softly and came in, and you were +half-sitting, half-kneeling by your bed, sound asleep; and your skirt +did look so very fashionable that I was tempted!--oh yes, I have taken +the pattern in my mind's eye. I'll alter my blue nun's-veiling. I can +easily get a bit more of the stuff to match, and it will make it quite +_comme il fait_," + +"But who are you?" said Kitty, who had never laid eyes on Carrie before. + +"I'm Elma's sister. Now you know." + +"Elma's sister?" said Kitty. "But what have you come to my room for? +What do you want here?" + +"To speak to you. I want to help you if you'll let me." + +"To help me?" said Kitty languidly. "I would much rather you went away. +You cannot help me; you know nothing whatever about me. I am in great +great trouble, and I would much rather be alone." + +"You would not rather be alone if you could be helped," said Carrie. "I +know all about it. You have got a brother in Ireland who has got into a +scrape. Bless you, I know all about the scrapes of young men. Now, poor +Sam Raynes, he----. Yes, what is it, Miss Malone?" + +"I wish you would leave me," said Kitty in a haughty tone. "I am not +friends with Elma just now, and I would rather not see any of her +family." + +"Yes, but I think you'll see me when I tell you my errand," said Carrie, +in no way abashed by Kitty's manner. She crossed the room as she spoke, +and deliberately placing herself in the one easy-chair the room +possessed, crossed her legs, and leaning back, looked fixedly at Kitty. + +"Very well, if you won't go, then I must," said Kitty. "I don't +understand English people. They talk a great deal about manners; but no +Irishwoman, none that I ever heard of, would dream----" + +"Oh, bosh! Stop all that," said Carrie in her rudest voice. "I have come +here to help you, and I see that I must explain myself. You want some +money, don't you?" + +"Yes; but I cannot get it," answered Kitty. + +"Oh, my dear, do just stay still a moment. What a sweet little shoe! +Did you get it at any shop here?" + +"No," answered Kitty, interested for the moment in spite of herself. +"Aunt Honora bought these in Grafton Street, Dublin. They have the +nicest shoes in that special shop of any place I know. Do you like it?" + +"Oh, it is quite sweet; it is the way the heel is arranged, and that +little buckle." + +"Well, never mind about my shoes now," said Kitty, pushing the +attractive little foot well in under her skirt. "What is it you have +come to say? Please say it, and then--go." + +"I will, if you wish me to. Look here, I know all about your story. You +are in dreadful trouble, and so is Elma; but I do declare I think poor +Elma's trouble much worse than yours." + +"You know nothing about it," cried Kitty, with passion. "Elma in worse +trouble! Oh, if you only could guess!" + +"I guess well enough," said Carrie, "and so does Elma. You want money, +which, evidently, as a rule, is as plentiful to you as blackberries on +the hedges in September; and you think, because you cannot lay your hand +on that money immediately, the whole world is going to change. But let +me tell you that Elma and I want money far, far more badly than you have +any idea of. Until you gave Elma that eight pounds, we neither of us +ever in our lives had so much in our possession." + +"I didn't give it--you make a mistake--I lent it." + +"Oh, it is all the same. Elma had it, and, for practical purposes, it +was just as valuable as if it were really her own." + +"Well, I want her to give it back to me now. I surely have a right to +ask for my own money back again?" + +"No, you have not--not without reasonable notice. She asked you to lend +her some money--she never asked for eight pounds--you let her take it. +You said she might have as much as she liked. When she explained the +position of things to me, I said: 'Elma, you were a rare fool not to +take the whole fifteen.'" + +"You must be a very queer girl," said Kitty, astonished at this +remarkable specimen of young ladyhood. + +"Am I? I don't know. I am frank, and I am generally hard-up. I know, if +any one does, where the shoe pinches. Bless you! it would do you good to +open your eyes. You don't know what poverty means--a little house, a +disgusting little house, shabby paper, dirty ceilings, badly-carpeted +floors, the drains wrong, the water-supply as likely to poison us as +not, an invalid mother--" + +"Oh, have you a mother? Then, I am sure you are not to be pitied," +interrupted Kitty. + +"Little you know! What good is a mother who is in bed most of the day, a +father who--Well, I need not mention him; he is not in the country at +any rate. No education to speak of; no dress worth considering; toil, +toil from morning till night; and life a mere scramble, a scramble for +bread without butter. That's what our life is!" + +Kitty had ceased to fidget; she even sank down on the corner of the +nearest chair. Her pretty figure, her beautifully-appointed dress, her +whole appearance, from the crown of her head to the sole of her foot, +betokened what the other girl could never aspire to, never hope to +have--abundance of money. And yet at the present moment Kitty was +breaking her heart for want of money. No wonder Carrie was puzzled. +Kitty's own eyes were opened to an extent they had never been opened +before. + +"Yes, our life is a rough one," continued Carrie; "very rough indeed; +but I don't grumble. I was brought up to it, and use is half the +battle, as perhaps you don't know, but you ought. You'll get accustomed +to doing without your eight pounds after a bit, and never give it +another thought." + +"Oh, no, that I won't," said Kitty, now jumping to her feet in her +indignation; "and it is not for myself, it is for----" + +"Oh, never mind who it is for. You want it, and you think the world is +going to stand still because you cannot get it. Well, the world won't +stand still. I, who am quite used to doing without money, can assure you +as to the truth of that fact. Would you like to know, now, how I spend +my days? I teach some horrid children in a small private school from ten +to one each morning, and then in the afternoon I go to a family and +teach some more little brats; and I am scarcely paid anything for all +this toil--starvation wages I call it--and I hate it, hate it. But I +have my consolations. I am not overparticular; very small pleasures +content me; and there's a fellow whom I love." + +"A fellow whom you love?" echoed Kitty; "is it a brother?" + +"Bless you, I'm not likely to put myself out about a brother; not that I +have one, and so much the better, thank goodness. There's a man whom I +love, and a right jolly fellow he is--his name is Sam Raynes. He is not +one of your fine, bread-and-butter gentlemen--not he. He is rough and +ready, and he has his joke, and he isn't too handsome, although some +people admire red hair; but, anyhow, I'm fond of him and he's fond of +me, and some day--I don't know when--when we can scrape enough +together, we are going to set up housekeeping." + +"You are going to marry; is that it?" said Kitty. + +"Yes; some day we'll marry. Now, you see, that's a bit of fun for me; +and I can go out with Sam on bank holidays and on Sunday afternoons just +like any other girl with her young man. Bless you, I don't mind." + +"I wonder what all this is leading up to," said Kitty, with a slight +yawn. "Of course, it is very interesting to you; but I don't care about +your young man." + +"No more you do, you haughty little minx; and I wouldn't bother you +about him, for, with all his faults, he's too good to have words wasted +about him to a little independent chit of a thing like you. But, as I +was saying, I'm not talking for nothing, I'm leading up to something. +Now, I am content enough with our lot; but Elma isn't. Elma is quite +different from me--she has got a great deal of refinement about her." + +"Has she indeed?" said Kitty in a voice of scorn. + +"Yes, she has, and you needn't contradict me. She's a very clever girl, +is Elma. I don't say that she's always as straight as a die--I don't +pretend that she is; but she is a clever girl, and she is fond of her +books, and she's likely to get on--that is, if you don't spike her +guns." + +"What do you mean?" + +"Oh, well, it's only an expression of mine. I heard Sam use it last +week. I often copy his phrases, they're so fine and full of flourish. +Well, now, if you don't spoil sport, Elma will get into an altogether +different circle from your humble servant. Mother and I will go one way, +and Elma another. Elma, with her grand notions and her set-you-up sort +of airs, will rise in life. She's heartily welcome to go her own way, +and I wish her Godspeed, for she is the only sister I have got." + +"I don't understand," interrupted Kitty. + +"If you'll let me speak I'll soon explain. You don't suppose that girls +such as I am are often to be seen at Middleton School?" + +"Well, I have not seen any like you," said Kitty, gazing from head to +foot at her very peculiar visitor. + +"No more you have, bless you; and I'm not the least offended by your +very frank stare. Sam admires me, and that's enough for me. Now, Elma +looks a lady, doesn't she?" + +"I suppose so," said Kitty in a dubious tone. + +"You suppose so indeed! Let me tell you that Elma is a born little lady, +a real lady, and she looks it, every inch of her. That is why she goes +to Middleton School; but now, who do you think pay for her?" + +"How can I tell?" + +"Do you think mother, or father, or I? Now, who do you think does? I +should be interested to know your thoughts." + +"I cannot really tell you, Miss Lewis." + +"Oh, it does sound fine to hear you Miss Lewising me. My name is +Carrie." + +"I prefer to call you Miss Lewis." + +"Highty! tighty! we are haughty. Well, the person who pays for Elma is +our Aunt Charlotte--a certain Mrs. Steward, wife of the Reverend John +Steward, rector of St. Bartholomew's, Buckinghamshire. There's a grand +enough name for you; and I suppose, being a clergyman, you'll consider +that he is a gentleman and that his wife is a lady. Aunt Charlotte +happens to be own sister to mother; and when Elma made her little +complaint to her she took pity on her; and now she pays all her expenses +at Middleton School. And if Elma does well and nothing disagreeable +comes to Aunt Charlotte's ears, she will send her presently to Newnham +or Girton. Think of that I Elma will be a college girl; she will be an +undergraduate of one of the universities--and some day a graduate; and +then she will get a first-class post as high-school mistress, or +mistress of something or other. But if you tell on her and make things +bad, and the truth gets out--You look pale; are you ill?" + +"I am all right," said Kitty. She staggered across the room and poured +some water into a glass. + +"I did not eat much lunch," she continued; "and I am--Never mind; go +on." + +"Well," continued Carrie, "if nothing comes to Aunt Charlotte's ears to +turn her mind the other way, Elma will be all right; she will move in +your sphere--yes, she will, whether you like it or not. She is just so +clever she is able to do anything. So I have come to say that I hope to +goodness you won't split on her, for it would be mighty cruel of you. +You would ruin her for life, and that would be a nice consolation for +you when you came to die. She did not steal your money, remember; you +gave it to her." + +"I lent it to her." + +"Oh, how you will harp upon that! But you didn't tell her to a day when +she was to pay it back again." + +"No, I certainly did not; but, of course, I expected that she would +return it to me when I asked for it; and then she spent it on dress." + +"Spent it on dress? What do you mean?" + +"She told me so." + +"Oh, naughty, naughty little Elma!" said Carrie, shaking her forefinger +in a very knowing manner "She didn't like to tell about Sam, and so she +made up that story, did she? Well, it was an untruth. She didn't spend +that money on dress; she--well, I will tell you--I stole it from her." + +"You!" gasped Kitty, backing away in horror. + +"Yes. Good gracious! how scared you are! You don't understand the larks +of girls like me. I didn't mean any harm. I took it and gave it to Sam +to keep for her." + +"Then," said Kitty, coming close up to Carrie, her lips parted, the +color flooding her cheeks, her eyes full of light, "then, of course, +you, Carrie----" + +"Oh, I'm Carrie now, am I?" + +"Yes, you are; but never mind. Then, you, Carrie, can get it back for +me?" + +"So I will, all in good time, my pretty little dear. You shall have the +money if you are willing to wait, say a month." + +"There's no use at all in that," said Kitty, her voice sounding faint +and far away. + +"I am afraid there must be, as far as that eight pounds is concerned. +The fact is, Sam is speculating with the money, and when we get it back +it will be doubled. Elma and I will divide the profits between us, and +you shall have your eight pounds back. Now, I think I have told you +everything except--" + +"And, having told me, I wish you would go away," said Kitty. "I don't +know that you have bettered matters in any way. Of course I am sorry for +Elma; but it is only right that you should know something. It would be +well also for Elma to know the truth. I told her yesterday when I went +to your house that I would keep her secret until after morning school." + +"Good gracious! You have not blurted out the truth?" + +"Wait till you hear. When I was at school this morning I was--oh so +miserable! I could not help thinking of--But never mind; you would not +understand." + +"No, no, of course not; pray proceed." + +"I was thinking how soon I might tell." + +"Nice sort of creature you are!" + +"Why will you interrupt me?" said Kitty. "But then I looked at Elma, and +I saw that she seemed very anxious and miserable; and wretched as I was, +I made up my mind to be kind to her. I said to myself I will keep her +secret; and--and I wrote her a note to tell her so. You would not +understand if I said any more; but--but immediately after morning school +she--she was false to me; utterly false. You ask her when you see her +how she received that letter I wrote to her at the risk of getting into +terrible trouble myself. I have been angry, furious, beside myself; and +now Miss Sherrard knows everything." + +"You don't mean it?" said Carrie. Her florid face had turned perfectly +white. She bit her lip and looked out of the window. After a time she +looked back again at Kitty, and said slowly: + +"You are very cruel, and you have ruined Elma; but after all it is +partly my fault. I ought not to have taken that money. Now, look here, +shall I tell you what I really came for to-day?" + +"If you would do so quickly and then go." + +"You won't be in such a hurry to part from me when you know the truth. +Now, then, listen. You want some money; I think I see a way to getting +it for you." + +"Do you really?" + +"Yes, I do; that is, if you on your part will do what I want." + +"I will do anything to get the money. I want to send it to Laurie if I +can this evening. There's nothing I would not give you." + +"I will remember that small promise presently," said Carrie in a frank +voice. "But now let me tell you what my plan is. You have a great many +clothes, have you not?" + +"Yes; but please don't bother me about them now. I was always fond of +pretty dress; but I should not care if I had to wear rags at the present +moment if only I might get that eight pounds." + +"If them's your sentiments," said Carrie, "you very soon can have your +wish." + +"What in the world do you mean?" + +"Why, this. If you'll just allow me to take the pick of your wardrobe I +can take away the things and sell them. I'll soon bring back the eight +pounds--yes, and for that matter ten too." + +"Sell my clothes?" said Kitty. She stared at the other girl as if she +did not believe the evidence of her own senses. + +"Yes. Did you never hear of a pawnshop, you dear little wiseacre?" + +"A pawnshop! Do you think I would allow my clothes to go to a pawnshop?" + +"I know nothing whatever about it; but I make you the proposal. I will +transact the business for you if you'll allow me ten per cent, upon it. +I can get you the money." + +"Oh, Carrie, it seems such a bitter shame," said Kitty. Her face was +crimson; she went to the other side of the room, opened the window and +put out her head. She wanted the cool air to soothe her scorched cheeks; +her heart was thumping in her breast. Had matters indeed come to this, +that she, Kitty Malone, was to pawn her pretty dresses, her trinkets, +her whatnots! Alas! she could not do it. + +"I have often had to do it," said Carrie. "I know just how to manage. If +you'll allow me to select the most suitable of your things, I'll bring +you back the money in no time." + +"You are sure?" said Kitty, beginning to yield. + +"Certain--sure--positive. But you must allow me ten per cent." + +"I know nothing about percentage; but you may take every scrap that is +over after you have got me the eight pounds." + +"Very well, that's a liberal offer," said Carrie. "Now, then, I may as +well take a look at your clothes." + +"Oh, it seems such an awful thing to do," said Kitty. "Are you sure, +quite sure, that no one will find it out?" + +"Not a bit of it; that is, if you'll be quick and not allow that other +girl--Alice, you call her--to come into the room." + +"I'll lock the door," said Kitty. She rushed across the room with new +hope, turned the key, and came back again to Carrie. + +"I never heard of anything quite so extraordinary in my life," she said. +"And you--you call yourself a lady?" + +"No, I don't; I call myself a good-natured lump of a girl." + +"Well, perhaps you are; but to pawn one's things! Do you mean that I +will never see them again?" + +"Oh, yes; whenever you like to return the money. They'll be kept safe +enough for you. If you don't return the money, of course, they belong to +the pawnbroker; but you have lots of time to think of that. Look here, +I'll pawn them for a month; that will give you heaps of time to look +round." + +"So it will," said Kitty. "And are you quite, quite certain that I shall +have the money to-night?" + +"Oh, yes, if you won't talk so much, only act. Now, then, open your +wardrobe." + +Kitty unlocked the door of the mahogany wardrobe which she shared with +Alice, and Carrie began to pull her choice little garments about. + +Kitty went and stood by the window. + +"Don't you want to know what I am taking?" said Carrie. "Don't you want +to make a selection?" + +"No; I'll leave it all to you. I can't bear to see them. Take--take what +you want." + +"Goodness, what a girl!" thought Carrie to herself. "Here's an +opportunity for me." + +She made a hasty and very wise selection, choosing the richest dresses, +the most stylish jackets, skirts, shoes, ribbons, gloves--clipping the +feathers out of the hats and the flowers from the toques--throwing in +some of the finest cambric handkerchiefs; and then, taking a sheet of +brown paper which she had put into a basket on her arm when she left +home, she folded the things into it and fastened her parcel with stout +string. + +"Here I am," she said; "and this is my parcel. I have looked through +your wardrobe; your clothes are neat, fine, some of them gaudy, but all +good. I can get from three to four pounds for this lot." + +"But why don't you take enough to get the eight pounds?" said Kitty, who +had quite made up her mind by this time. + +"I could not carry any more. Now, then, open your jewel-case, quick." + +"My jewel-case. Oh! I cannot part with my jewels." + +"You must, if you want your eight pounds by to-night. I know my +pawnbroker. He won't give five pounds for this little parcel. Now then, +be quick. Oh, there I see Alice Denvers coming up the road with that +other fine young lady, Bessie Challoner. Where's your jewel-case?" + +Kitty's face was like a sheet. + +"I have not any jewels," she said; "or scarcely any worth mentioning. I +didn't bring any jewels with me. But here's my watch; will that do?" + +"Do--rather! Why, it's a beauty. Don't say a word to the others; keep +your own counsel. Now, then, I'll be off to the pawnshop, and you shall +have the money to-night. _Au revoir! an revoir!_" + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +THE LADY FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. + + +Mrs. Steward was a great contrast to Mrs. Lewis. Mrs. Steward was a +tall, thin, rather refined-looking woman. Mrs. Lewis was fat and dumpy, +decidedly untidy in appearance, with a melancholy air and a habit of +constantly indulging in low weeping. Mrs. Steward looked as if she had +never wept in her life; she sat upright as a dart, her movements were +quick, her manners independent; she had a vivacious eye, a somewhat +short nose, thin lips, and a very decided manner. + +Mrs. Steward and Mrs. Lewis had a long conversation in the untidy, ugly +little parlor, while they waited for Elma to return from school. Maggie +had been going in and out, glancing with some apprehension at the lady, +and then whisking back to her kitchen to sigh profoundly and mourn for +the violets which were no longer in her possession. + +"I should like something to eat," said Mrs. Steward to her sister. "I +thought I would come to you for lunch, Caroline. Have you got anything +in the house--a lamb chop or even cold lamb and salad will do quite +nicely." + +"My dear Charlotte," said Mrs. Lewis, laying her fat, tremulous hand +upon her sister's firm but thin arm, "do you think it likely that we +often have lamb chops or even cold lamb and salad for lunch? It is true +that since the Australian meat came in we can now and then indulge in a +very small joint of lamb for Sundays, but certainly on no other day. Ah, +Charlotte, you little know the poverty to which your poor sister is +subjected." + +"I know all about it," said Mrs. Stewart, shaking herself angrily, "and +my plain answer to you is this--as you sow you must reap. What else did +you expect when you married that fool of a man, James Lewis?" + +Mrs. Lewis made a great endeavor to rise from the sofa, she made a +further effort to look dignified; but all she could really accomplish +was to burst into a fresh wail of low weeping and to murmur under her +breath, "Charlotte, you are cruel to me, you are cruel." + +"I don't mean to be, my dear; but really, Caroline, you do annoy me. +Have you no spunk at all in your composition? Are you still fretting +your heart out for that good-for-nothing man?" + +"Well, you see, I love him," said the poor wife. "The parting from my +dear husband was a terrible trial. I think of him at all hours both day +and night. I often have an uncontrollable desire to join him in +Australia." + +"Pray yield to it," said Mrs. Steward in the calmest of voices, "and +when you go, take that great lout of a Caroline with you. She is as like +you in appearance as one pea is like another. I am ashamed of you. Now, +let us turn to a more congenial topic. Little Elma, I am glad to say, +is made of very different stuff." + +"Oh, Elma is a good girl," said Mrs. Lewis. At that moment Maggie came +into the room. + +"Have you ordered your servant to prepare any lunch for me?" said Mrs. +Steward. + +"Well, really--" Mrs. Lewis looked imploringly and with a vacant eye at +Maggie. + +"There's the remains of the salt beef, mum," said that small worthy, +dropping a bob of a courtesy as she spoke. + +"I couldn't touch it," said Mrs. Steward with a shudder. "Have you got a +fresh egg in the house?" + +"Oh, my dear, nothing of the kind--a fresh egg! Fresh eggs are worth +their weight in gold. We have a stale egg, if you don't mind that." + +Mrs. Steward indulged in another shudder even more violent than the +last. + +"My good girl," she said then, "pray get me a cup of tea and some thin +toast, and be quick about it. See that the tea is really strong and the +cream fresh." + +"Cream!" murmured Mrs. Lewis; but Maggie had withdrawn. + +"Well, now, that is comfortably settled," said Mrs. Steward, "and I can +tell you what really brought me to town--I have come about Elma." + +"Indeed, and what about her?" + +"I mean to take her from you." + +"To take Elma away from me, my own dear child?" + +"Oh, now, come, Caroline, don't sicken me with your false sentiment. It +is a precious good thing for Elma that she has got an aunt ready and +willing to help her. I have just arranged to send her to a first-class +German school. Her English, I should say, was fair, and she will be +taken as pupil-teacher; she will thus have the advantage of learning +German. I heard of this through a great friend of mine, Fräulein Van +Brunt. She is going to Germany herself next week, and will take Elma, if +you can spare her." + +"If I can spare her? But it will break my heart--such a sensible girl +as she is," said poor Mrs. Lewis. + +"Come, come, Carrie, no more nonsense; when I explain all the advantages +you will see for yourself how all-important it is that Elma should go. +The school is in the Harz Mountains, a splendid place; magnificent air, +and all the rest. If Elma stays there for two years, I will then have +her home, and send her to Girton as I promised. I will further arrange +that she spends her holidays with me, as I think really--" here Mrs. +Steward glanced round the shabby room--"I think that the less she +remains with her own family for the present the better." + +"I see what you mean. I am beneath my own child." + +"Beneath her. Well, it is a painful thing to say; but, as you put it so +frankly, I must reply in the affirmative," replied Mrs. Steward. "Ah, +who is this now?" + +The door was flung open, and Carrie, very red about the face, and with +her parcel under her arm, entered the room. Her intention was to ask her +mother to accompany her to the pawnshop. It had not been the first nor +the second nor the third time that the unfortunate lady had been obliged +to pawn her things. Carrie thought that her parent could make a better +bargain than she could herself, and she hoped that she would have been +in time to transact this little business before the arrival of her aunt. +She now gave a start of dismay, and, dropping the parcel, sank down on +the nearest chair. As she did so Kitty's watch and chain tumbled out of +the front of her dress, where she had very insecurely fastened them. The +watch was a lovely one, with an enameled back studded with pearls, and +the chain was made of eighteen-carat gold. Owing to a warning glance +from Carrie, Mrs. Lewis refrained from saying a word; but Mrs. Steward +had no idea of keeping her emotions to herself. + +"You, I presume, are Carrie," she said, looking at her niece. "Come +here, Carrie, and speak to your aunt." + +Carrie advanced as if she were treading on buttered eggs. She held out +one dimpled hand gingerly. + +"How do you do, my dear? Allow me to congratulate you on the acquisition +of that very lovely little watch and that splendid chain. Now, I am +devoured with curiosity to know who has given them to you. Surely not +your mother? Surely, Caroline, with all your faults, you have not----" + +"Oh, dear me, no," said Mrs. Lewis. + +Carrie indulged in a loud laugh. + +"Bless us, aunt," she cried, "do you suppose mother can afford to give +me these? No, I--" She grew red and turned away. + +Mrs. Lewis fidgeted on her seat, and appeared thoroughly uncomfortable. + +"I do not wish to pry into your secrets, Caroline," said Mrs. Steward, +favoring the untidy and vulgar-looking girl with a glance full of +reprehension. "You are at liberty to wear handsome watches and chains +made of the best gold if your mother cares to see you with things so +unsuitable to your class and appearance. Your doings in life are no +affair of mine. But now, as you happen to be my niece, will you have the +kindness to go immediately into the kitchen and tell Maggie, or whatever +the name of your servant is, to hurry with that tea and toast." + +Carrie was only too glad to dart from the room. She picked up her +parcel, and resorted to the kitchen. + +"Oh, Miss Carrie, I do wish you would help me," said Maggie, who was +flying distractedly about. "There's the kitchen fire all but out, and +the lady ordered toast as crisp as you please. I don't believe we can do +it for her. Wouldn't she be content with thin bread and butter curled in +rolls?" + +"Oh, of course she would, and must," said Carrie. "She is in no end of a +temper, and for my part I don't wish to humor her. Yes, of course, +Maggie. I'll cut the bread and butter and make it into rolls, and you +see to the tea." + +"Thank you, miss, I'm sure I'm much obliged, and perhaps, miss, you +wouldn't mind taking it into the dining-room, for her eyes do fasten on +to you that fierce that I get all of a tremble, and as likely as not +I'll drop the tray." + +Carrie laughed, and being at heart good-natured in her own way, helped +Maggie with some vigor to prepare the tea. + +At last a meal, which could not be remarked for its abundance, was +forthcoming, and was brought into the dining-room. + +"I ordered toast," said Mrs. Steward in an angry voice. + +"I am sorry, Aunt Charlotte," said Carrie; "but the fire happened to be +out in the kitchen. You see," she added, somewhat spitefully, "we are +obliged to economize with coals, and we don't keep a fire up in the +middle of the day." + +"Well, I am really so famished that I am content with anything," said +the good lady. "Pour me out a cup of tea at once, my dear, and just put +the bread and butter where I can reach it." + +Carrie did so, winking at her mother as she arranged the tray. The next +moment Mrs. Lewis went out into the passage. Carrie followed her, +closing the door behind their guest. + +"Mother, I want you to come with me to the Sign of the Three Balls." + +"What in the world for, Carrie?" + +"I have got to pawn some things, some beautiful things, and I am to get +ten per cent, on the commission. I shall turn over a nice little bit of +money, and you can have your favorite supper. You will come, won't you, +mother? And I'll give you half a crown into the bargain." + +"Oh, dear, dear," said Mrs. Lewis, "I wish she had not come! She never +helps me in any way. All she does is to scold me and make me more +depressed than I am already. And she blames me so for marrying your poor +father, Carrie; as if I could help that now. And what do you think she +is going to do? She says she is going to take Elma from us." + +"And a good thing, too," said Carrie. + +"Carrie, what an unnatural girl you are! Do you mean to say you would be +glad to part from your sister?" + +"I would, because I am fond of her, and she has got into the most awful +scrape at school. Don't you put any spoke in her wheel, mother, for +goodness' sake!" + +At that moment the latchkey was heard in the lock, and Elma herself +appeared on the scene. + +"Oh, good gracious! Elma," cried Carrie, darting up to her sister, and +beginning to whisper vigorously into her ear. + +"What?" said Elma, with a start of dismay. "So soon?" + +"Yes, yes; she's been here for nearly an hour. She is devouring rolled +bread and butter and tea in the dining-room at present. She asked for +toast----" + +"Yes," interrupted Mrs. Lewis, who now came up and began also to +whisper; "yes, and fresh eggs, and cream, and lamb chops, and cold lamb +and salad. I never heard of anything so unreasonable. My poor head is in +an awful whirl. But she has come about you, Elma. She wants to take you +away with her." + +"She wants to take me away with her?" exclaimed Elma, starting, and her +pale face flushing. + +"And you had better go, Elma, and be quick about it," said Carrie, +giving her a warning glance. + +"I don't know what all this means," said Elma, her heart beating +uncomfortably fast; "but I had better go in and see Aunt Charlotte." + +"Yes, my love, yes; and while you are talking to her I--What do you +say, Carrie--you and I might go out upon that little matter of business, +might we not?" + +"To be sure, mother; an excellent thought. If you stay here I'll run +upstairs and fetch your bonnet, veil, and mantle in a twinkling. Go in +to Aunt Charlotte, Elma; do, for goodness sake, make yourself of use. +More depends on it than you think. If she hears us whispering and +mattering in the hall she'll be out upon us." + +Elma instinctively put up her two hands to smooth back her hair, she +straightened her already perfectly neat little jacket, and, drawing +herself up to her full _petite_ height, entered the little dining-room. + +Elma was a perfect contrast to her untidy mother and her frowzy sister. +However poorly dressed, she was always the pink of neatness. She was +full of agitation now and nervous fear, but not a trace of these +emotions could be visible in her manner and appearance. She went up to +her Aunt Charlotte, who for her part held out both her arms and, drawing +the girl down, printed a kiss upon her cheek. + +"I am really glad to see you, Elma," exclaimed Mrs. Steward. "Sit near +me, my dear; it is a pity you were not in when I arrived. It was the +least you might have done for your aunt, Elma. You had my letter this +morning. Oh, my poor child, I have gone through a dreadful hour! These +vulgar relations of yours grow worse and worse." + +"My mother and sister?" murmured Elma. + +"Yes; it is a terrible affliction for you. But, my dear, I am going to +relieve you from the strain. I, your aunt, am coming to the rescue. +There, Elma, pour me out another cup of tea, and I will tell you +everything." + +Elma raised the teapot, she filled her aunt's cup with fresh tea, added +a little milk, and brought it to her side. + +"Thank you, my dear. Now, Elma, you may consider yourself a made girl." + +"Made?" echoed Elma, turning her white face to Mrs. Steward. + +"Yes, made. What would you say to going abroad?" + +Elma's eyes brightened. + +"Do you mean on the Continent?" + +"Yes, I do, my dear child. To no less a place than the Harz Mountains. I +have heard of a most charming school, fifty times better than Middleton +School; and you are to go there, my dear Elma, at my expense. You will +go as pupil-teacher, and you thus acquire perfect German. Think what +that will mean for you! I propose to leave you in Germany for two years, +and at the end of that time you will return and go to Girton, I being +responsible for all your expenses. My dear, your fortune is made. I have +further arranged with your poor unfortunate mother that you spend the +holidays with me, as it is not to be expected that you can associate any +longer with such a person, nor with that frowzy young woman who calls +herself your sister." + +Elma did not speak. This news which would have delighted her at another +and less harassing moment, was now fraught with perplexity and alarm. At +the same time she thought she saw in it a possible means of escape. +Suppose Aunt Charlotte took her away at once, before Kitty had time to +tell what she knew, before Middleton School had time to ring with the +news of her dishonor. Oh, if so, she might indeed be saved! + +"Am I to go immediately?" she asked, choking down a strangled sob in her +throat, "or am I to stay at Middleton School till the end of the term?" + +"Well, dear, that is the awkward part, for of course you are working +very hard for a prize, are you not?" + +"I am working for a small scholarship," answered Elma. "If I succeed in +my examination I shall obtain a scholarship in English Literature worth +ten pounds a year for three years. That would be a very large sum to me, +Aunt Charlotte." + +"A large sum to you! I should think it would be a large sum to anybody," +said Mrs. Steward in a severe tone. "Ten pounds is quite a fortune for +any young girl. Pray don't begin to speak of money in that disparaging +sort of way, Elma; it ill suits your circumstances, my love. But now, +dear, I am sorry to disappoint you--I have heard of an admirable escort; +a certain Fräulein Van Brunt is going to the Harz Mountains next Monday; +it will therefore be necessary for me to take you back to +Buckinghamshire to-night, Elma." + +"Oh, Aunt Charlotte, I am glad!" burst from Elma's lips. + +"Glad to leave your mother and sister?" said Mrs, Steward, looking +severely at the young girl. "After all, they are the last people you +ought to associate with; but still natural ties, my dear Elma." + +"Oh, I am sorry to leave them, I am sorry to go; I am both glad and +sorry," gasped poor Elma. "I have been worried, and am glad to get out +of everything." + +"Worried! I suppose with that dreadful sister and your poor, muddled +mother. Her unfortunate habit of weeping has reduced the little brain +she possessed to a state of pap. Of course I know she is not well off; +but all she absolutely could offer me in this house was a stale egg, and +not even toast. Oh, I scorn to complain, but--I know this is not your +wish, Elma. Your ideas were always very different, my dear child." + +Elma did not say anything; she was fidgeting with her hand, making a +slight noise with the teaspoon which she was tapping against a saucer. +The noise was irritating to Mrs. Steward's easily-affected nerves. + +"That calm of manner which I trust you will acquire after you have had +the advantages which I am giving you will soon show you how very +unpleasant those little tattoos and small noises are, Elma," remarked +the good lady, taking the teaspoon severely out of her niece's hand. +"Yes, my dear, you are to come with me to-night; that is, of course--" + +"What do you mean by 'of course,' Aunt Charlotte?" + +"After I have seen your head-mistress, Miss Sherrard." + +"Do you want to see Miss Sherrard?" asked Elma, a note of alarm in her +voice. + +"Certainly; and I am going immediately to the school. You will not be +admitted into the admirable school in Germany without a testimonial from +your present teacher; and I am going to Miss Sherrard in order to +secure one. It will, of course be merely a matter of form my asking for +it, for your conduct has always been admirable--admirable in the +extreme. Miss Sherrard has written to me about you from time to time, +and always spoke of you with affection and admiration. She said your +abilities were good; your moral character without a flaw. I will just +step across to the school now, Elma; and, if you like, you can accompany +me." + +Elma hesitated. She did not yet know what had taken place; but when she +had last seen Kitty there was a flash in her eyes the reverse of +assuring. She could only hope against hope that nothing had yet taken +place; that Kitty had still kept her miserable secret. If Miss Sherrard +knew nothing she would of course give her an excellent character; and +she herself would leave Middleton School that afternoon and forever. +Then indeed she might snap her fingers at Kitty and her distress. She +would be saved just at the very moment when she thought her ruin most +imminent. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +STUNNED AND COLD. + + +"Come, Elma, what are you looking so thoughtful about?" asked Mrs. +Steward in an impatient voice. + +"Nothing, Aunt Charlotte," replied Elma, rising to her feet. "I am ready +to go," she added. She sighed as she spoke. + +"You must give up that unpleasant habit, my dear child. Nothing +irritates me more than hearing people sigh. It always seems as if they +were discontented and ungrateful to Providence. Now, what have you, for +instance, to sigh about? A singularly fortunate girl, a girl who +possesses an aunt who is willing to take a mother's duties upon her +shoulders. If it were that wretched, vulgar Carrie now, or even my poor +sister herself; but you, Elma, don't let me think that you are +ungrateful to me or I wash my hands of you on the spot." + +"Oh, I am nothing of the kind indeed, Aunt Charlotte," replied Elma. "I +always have felt that you--you were more than good to me." + +"Well, my dear that's as it should be. I honor your feelings. I often +say to myself and to your uncle-in-law--remember he is not your real +uncle, Elma, but your uncle-in-law, my dear husband, the rector of St. +Bartholomew's--'John,' I say, 'if Elma doesn't show gratitude for all I +am doing for her I shall once and for all give up the human race. I +shall never again expect right feeling from any one." But of course you +are grateful, Elma; you will be the comfort of my old age. You will be +as my own child to me. I--I sometimes think, my dear, that when your +education is finished and you are turned into a refined, +highly-cultivated, highly-trained woman, I will keep you with me. You +shall be my companion, my housekeeper, the one who is to read aloud to +me, to sit with me in the long evenings when my sight begins to fail. My +eyes do ache at times, my dear, I have thought of all that. You will be +my adopted child; not that I can leave you anything in my will, but I +would provide a home for you while I am left in this tabernacle of the +flesh. What do you say, Elma, eh?" + +"It is too soon to say anything at present," answered Elma, to whom this +prospect was the reverse of charming. To live as her aunt's unsalaried +companion could not be attractive to her; but she wisely concluded that +sufficient unto the day was the evil thereof, and she had yet to be +educated and brought to that calm of spirit and strain of intellect +which would satisfy Aunt Charlotte. + +"Come now at once," said the good lady, who suddenly from being in a +very cross temper became in the best of humor. "We have just nice time +to go across to the school, and then after we have seen Miss Sherrard to +return here for you to pack your things. What do you say, Elma, to our +both staying in London to-night? It would be a pleasant treat for you, +and there may be a few little things necessary to add to your wardrobe, +which I shall have much pleasure in providing you with. Elma, you are in +rare luck. When I think of all I am doing for you I feel that you have +indeed much to be thankful for." + +"Yes, Aunt Charlotte," echoed Elma, but her voice sounded faint, and she +brought out her words with an effort. + +Leaning on her niece's arm, Mrs. Steward now pursued her way to +Middleton School. Alas! her journey there quickly dissipated her lately +acquired good-humor. She had not gone one hundred yards before she +complained of the dust of the roads, she had not gone two before her +anger was great at the length of the way, and when she found that it was +necessary to mount uphill her complaints became loud grievances--in +short, by the time she really arrived at the school she was in as bad a +temper as Elma had ever seen her in. + +"What it is to have a great girl like you hanging on to one, dependent +on one!" she cried. "It was most inconsiderate of Caroline to marry as +she did, and she now even complains when I blame her for it. She is an +extraordinary person. If she had remained single she might have been +living comfortably with me at St. Bartholomew's rectory, and you and +Carrie would never have been in the world plaguing your relatives." + +"Well, you see we are in the world," said poor Elma, who felt that she +must just show the faintest spark of spirit. "We did not ask to be +born," she added, "so I don't see that we are to be blamed." + +Mrs. Steward favored her with a sharp glance. + +"Elma," she said, "if you indulge in pertness I shall wash my hands of +you. Now, here we are. Have the goodness to ring the bell." + +The great school door was opened presently by a neat-looking +maid-servant, and Mrs. Steward inquired in a tart voice if Miss Sherrard +was in." + +"She is, ma'am," replied the girl; "but she is particularly engaged at +this moment. Oh, is that you, Miss Lewis?" she continued. "Miss Sherrard +is just sending for you, miss; but I don't think the messenger has gone +yet. I'll run and stop him. Will you walk inside, ma'am!" + +"A messenger for me!" murmured Elma. She felt terribly uncomfortable; +her face grew whiter than ever. + +"Will you have the goodness to tell your mistress that I wish to speak +to her at once," said Mrs. Steward; "that I am in a hurry, and cannot be +kept waiting? Pray mention my name, Mrs. Steward, from St. Bartholomew's +Rectory, Buckinghamshire." + +The girl promised to do so, and withdrew. She soon returned to say that +Miss Sherrard would be pleased to see both Mrs. Steward and Miss Lewis +in her private room. + +"I wish to see Miss Sherrard alone," said Mrs. Steward. "Remain where +you are, Elma." Mrs. Steward sailed out of the room, and poor Elma sank +down on the nearest chair. + +"If Miss Sherrard has sent for me she must know something," thought the +wretched girl. "Oh! how am I to live through it? She will tell Aunt +Charlotte and then all my prospects are over." + +Meanwhile Mrs. Steward sailed down the passage with a dignity and +majesty of demeanor which impressed Miss Sherrard's neat handmaid +considerably. The next instant she was ushered into the school-mistress' +presence. + +Miss Sherrard looked troubled; she came forward to meet Mrs. Steward +very gravely, and, motioning with her hand to a chair, asked her to seat +herself. Mrs. Steward stared for a moment at the head-mistress, and the +head-mistress stared back at her. At last Mrs. Steward said glibly: + +"I am sorry to take up any of your valuable time, Miss Sherrard; but I +think I can explain my errand in a few words. I am about to remove my +niece, Elma Lewis, from the school." + +"Indeed, I am heartily glad to hear it," answered Miss Sherrard, visible +relief both in her tone and face. + +"What an extraordinary remark for you to make! But I will pass it by, +for I am in a considerable hurry. I have heard of an admirable school in +Germany to which I intend to send my niece. Not that I have the least +objection to your mode of teaching, Miss Sherrard, nor to this very +celebrated school; but of course when it comes to foreign languages you +cannot compare England to the Continent." + +"Certainly not," answered Miss Sherrard, who was now staring at the +other lady in some wonder. + +"It is my intention to remove Elma to-night," continued Mrs. Steward; +"for although it is not quite the end of term, yet the Harz Mountains +are some distance away, and it would not be possible for a young girl +who has at present no knowledge of the German language to go so far +without an escort. Miss Sherrard, you will be glad to hear that an +escort has been found, a suitable escort, and Elma will leave England +next week. Under these circumstance I propose to take her back to my +husband's rectory in Buckinghamshire to-morrow morning, and she will +leave the school now." + +"Indeed! I repeat that this is a most fortunate coincidence. I am glad +to hear it," said Miss Sherrard. + +"Your remarks seem to me the reverse of flattering; but I have no time +to ask you to explain them. What I have really come about is this: It is +necessary for Elma to have a certificate from her present mistress in +order to be admitted into the very first-class school in Germany where I +propose to place her. Will you kindly give me a testimonial in my +niece's favor, Miss Sherrard? Just say anything you can to the credit of +her character and general attainments. From your many letters to me I +judge that you have a very high opinion of the dear girl; and I trust, +now that I am doing so much, in starting this young girl in life, that I +shall not go unrewarded. The care of the young is a sad trial, Miss +Sherrard and I doubt not that the looking after Elma will worry me +considerably; but I am not one to shirk my duties, and I am willing to +take all this responsibility, and for the future to regard that young +girl as if she were indeed my own child. But I must have the +testimonial, so will you kindly write it at once." + +Miss Sherrard had been sitting with her hands clasped in her lap while +Mrs. Steward was speaking. Once she had lowered her eyes; but during +the greater part of the time they were fixed upon the good lady's face. +A look of consternation, almost akin to despair, flitted now over the +teacher's expressive countenance. + +When at last Mrs. Steward ceased to speak, Miss Sherrard still remained +for nearly half a minute quite silent. + +"You will perhaps oblige me by writing the testimonial?" said Mrs. +Steward in a very haughty voice. Then she added, perceiving that +something was wrong, and finding it impossible to guess what, "I dare +say you are annoyed at Elma leaving the school so unexpectedly--" + +"No, no; nothing of the kind," said Miss Sherrard. "I have told you +twice, Mrs. Steward, that I am glad, very glad of this." + +"Your words surprise me; but of course you will write--my time is +precious, I have not a moment to lose." + +Miss Sherrard now stood up. + +"I cannot give Elma Lewis a testimonial with regard to conduct." The +words came out quietly, firmly, distinctly. + +Mrs. Steward sprang to her feet. + +"You cannot give my niece a testimonial with regard to conduct?" she +gasped. "Do you know what you are saying what you are doing, Miss +Sherrard?" + +"Perfectly well, Mrs. Steward." + +"In your letters to me you have invariably spoken of Elma's conduct as +excellent. Miss Sherrard, you surely forget yourself--you cannot be +well; you must be mistaking Elma for one of your other pupils? She has +always been an exemplary girl. You cannot give her a testimonial with +regard to conduct? Am I to believe the testimony of my own ears?" + +"I am deeply sorry; I have seldom been more grieved about anything. I am +told that Elma has accompanied you here--if you will permit me, I will +send for her, and explain how matters really stand in your presence." + +"Oh, this is intolerable," said Mrs. Steward, clasping and unclasping +her hands in her agitation. "The wicked girl, what has she done? Pray +send for her at once, Miss Sherrard; if she has done anything really +disgraceful I wash my hands of her. If you, her mistress, cannot give +her a certificate, do you suppose that my husband and I will take her +up?" + +"It is impossible for me to say, madam. In this emergency to really help +Elma would be a Christian act. She may have been tempted beyond her +strength, but you will be better able to decide when you know the +circumstances." + +As Miss Sherrard spoke she rang the bell. "When the servant appeared, +she desired her to bring Elma immediately into her presence. A moment +later the young girl entered the room. She gave a wild and frightened +glance first at her aunt, then at Miss Sherrard, then stepping forward, +fell on her knees. + +"Has Kitty told you?" she gasped. + +"Yes, Elma. Get up; you cannot kneel to me." + +"Rise this minute you wicked girl!" said Mrs. Steward. + +Elma staggered to her feet. + +"It is all up, then," she murmured. + +"I know everything, Elma," said Miss Sherrard. "The knowledge has come +to me as a painful surprise. Your aunt has just asked me to give you a +testimonial with regard to character. I am bitterly pained to say that I +must refuse to do so." + +"But what does it all mean," cried Mrs. Steward, "and why am I to be +kept in the dark any longer? Elma, stop twirling your thumbs; stand +back. Now, Miss Sherrard, I have paid the school fees for Elma Lewis for +the last four years, so I presume I am entitled to know all about her. +Tell me what has occurred. Of what she is accused?" + +Miss Sherrard then briefly related the story which had been told to her +by Kitty. + +It was exactly the sort of tale which would affect a woman of Mrs. +Steward's caliber disagreeably. She listened with a horror-stricken +face. When the school-mistress had finished, she said abruptly: + +"What do you propose to do now?" + +"It will be necessary for me to explain the whole circumstances of +Elma's wrong-doing to the entire school to-morrow," said Miss Sherrard. +"This is necessary for the sake of Kitty Malone." + +"At what hour do you propose to make this very pleasant exhibition of my +niece?" + +"After prayers to-morrow morning--I sent for you, Elma," continued Miss +Sherrard, "to tell you, as I thought you ought to be prepared." + +"Thank you," answered Elma, her head bowed on her breast. She felt +stunned and cold. The dreadful blow had fallen; but the acute misery +which was immediately to follow was not at present awakened within +her. + +"Come, Elma," said Mrs. Steward. She turned to leave the room. Just as +she reached the door she looked back at Miss Sherrard. + +"After you have exposed Elma, and ruined her character for life, you +will doubtless expel her?" she said. + +"I hope not--I think not." + +"In any case she leaves the school, for I pay no more fees. Come Elma." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +STARS AND MOON, AND GOD BEHIND. + + +During the long walk home to Constantine Road the elder and the younger +lady maintained an absolute silence. As soon as they got to the house +Mrs. Steward turned to Elma for the first time and spoke. + +"Find out immediately if your mother is in. If she is tell her I wish to +see her. Go; don't stare at me." + +Elma went without a word. Her mother was in, and so was Carrie. + +"Mother," said Elma, "Aunt Charlotte wants to see you." + +"Why, my dear Elma, what is the matter? How queer you look!" + +"Don't mind about me, mother, pray; the expression of my face is not +worth considering. Aunt Charlotte is waiting for you in the +dining-room." + +Mrs. Lewis gave a profound sigh. + +"How very unreasonable of Charlotte!" she said; "she will doubtless be +expecting more tea and cream and fresh eggs, and other impossibilities." + +"Oh, go mother, and stop talking," said Elma. + +Mrs. Lewis dragged herself up from the sofa on which she was reclining. + +"I really don't know what the world is coming to," she said. "Even my +own children are turning out quite disagreeable to me. Dear! dear! what +it is to be a mother! How little those who are fortunate in not +possessing children understand the burden!" + +She went, downstairs slowly, and Elma turned to Carrie. + +Carrie was standing with her back to her; she was making up something in +tissue-paper. + +"Well, Elma," she said, looking up at her sister, "what is up?" + +"Everything is up," said Elma. + +"What do you mean?" + +"Everything is up and everything is over. What are you doing with that +paper, Carrie?" + +"I am folding up the money I have just got for Kitty Malone?" + +"The money you have got for Kitty Malone! Has--has Sam Raynes returned +the sovereigns?" + +"Bless you, poor Sam can't do impossibilities. No; this money has +nothing whatever to do with Sam. I am folding it up, and giving her a +little account with it. We got exactly eleven pounds eleven shillings +for the clothes and the watch and chain. She can redeem them all within +a month if she likes. Here is the pawnbroker's receipt; tell her to keep +it until she does. She can redeem them whenever she cares to pay back +eleven pounds eleven shillings with interest. My commission at ten per +cent, is one pound three shillings and tenpence--that leaves a balance +of ten pounds seven shilling and twopence; it will doubtless get her +nicely out of her difficulty. She ought to be thankful to me to her +dying day. Look here, Elma, if you are worried about things--and I can +guess what is the matter pretty well; for I happen to know that Kitty +Malone made a clean breast of your secret not long ago--you will be glad +to get out of the house. Here, take this money to her, and be off, can't +you?" + +Elma still did not speak. That cold, stunned feeling was pressing round +her heart. She did not much care whether she was in the house or not. +Just at that moment, however, a loud slam of the front door caused both +the girls to run to the window. Mrs. Steward had sailed down the steps. +Mrs. Steward with her long train streaming behind her, was walking up +Constantine Road. The next instant Mrs. Lewis burst into the room. + +"Well, Elma," she cried, "this is a pretty state of things. Your aunt +has told me everything. What a miserable woman I am!" + +"Please, don't scold me," said Elma. "I have had enough scolding during +the last hour to last me my life. Say what you like to me to-morrow." + +"But your aunt says she washes her hands of you. How are you to be +educated? How are you to live? How are you to support yourself?" + +"I don't know. I don't think it much matters." + +"Don't talk in that silly way, Elma; of course it matters. She says too +that you are to be publicly exposed at Middleton School to-morrow, and +your conduct--I must say I could not make out what she was talking +about; I don't see that you did anything very wrong--but your conduct is +to be proclaimed to the school, and that you are to be, if not expelled, +something like it. Elma, this is enough to take all my senses away!" + +"Never mind, now, mother; we can talk it all over presently," said Elma. +"Give me the money, Carrie, and let me go." + +Carrie handed her sister the little parcel without a word. Elma walked +slowly out of the room. + +A moment later she found herself on the dusty road. She reached the top +of the ugly street, and then paused to look around her. To her right lay +the peaceful valley in which Middleton School was situated. A little +further away was the open country, beautiful, verdant, full of summer +splendor. Gwin Harley's house could be seen in the distance. + +"If only Gwin had been my friend this morning, all these terrible things +need not have happened," thought Elma. "I have nothing to thank Gwin +for; I have nothing to thank Kitty for. I am a miserable, forlorn, +forsaken girl. There is nothing before me but the most wretched life. +Shall I go to see Kitty? Does Kitty deserve anything at my hands? I have +got ten pounds seven shillings and twopence in my pocket. Why should I +not go right away with the money? I don't think Kitty would prosecute +me; and if she did would it matter? I am so hopeless that I don't think +anything much worse could happen to me. I know I could not stand being +publicly exposed to-morrow at the school. I cannot have those hundreds +of eyes fixed on me; I, who have always been looked up to, respected, +who belonged to the Tug-of-war Society. I cannot, cannot bear it. Why +should Kitty have this money? She has treated me badly. She promised +not to tell. She had no right to break her word. I cannot see her at +present; no, I cannot." + +Elma walked down the road. She longed beyond words to get into a fresh +place, to be where there was no chance of meeting a Middleton girl. She +walked faster and faster. Presently she found herself at the little +station; she had not an idea where to go nor what to do. She had no +luggage with her. It would look queer her going away without even a +handbag. It would look very much as if she were running away. All the +girls belonging to Middleton School had to wear a badge on their hats, +and Elma would therefore be known. She would be recognized as one of the +pupils. Nevertheless she thought she would risk it, for the longing to +go away got stronger and stronger. + +The railway station happened to be rather empty at this time. She looked +around her hastily, saw no one that she knew about, and went into the +booking-office. She hastily made up her mind to take a ticket for a +large seaport town a few miles distant. She asked for a third-class +single ticket to Saltbury, inquired when the next train came up, and a +few moments later found herself on the right platform waiting for it. It +came in within a quarter of an hour, and Elma took her seat in a +third-class compartment. She was relieved to find that she was in the +company of a good-natured-looking, middle-aged woman who was just +returning to her own home from doing some marketing at Middleton. She +did not take any notice of Elma, who crouched up in the opposite corner, +and sat looking out at the country. The woman left the carriage at the +next station, and Elma continued her journey for the rest of the way +alone. She got to Saltbury within an hour, and stepped out on to the +platform. She had been at Saltbury before with her mother and Carrie. +They had once spent a never-to-be-forgotten week there when Mrs. Lewis +had a ten-pound note in her pocket which she resolved to devote to a +treat at the seaside. Elma wondered if she might venture to go to the +little cottage in the suburbs of Saltbury where she had spent this week. +After reflection, however, she thought that it would not be wise to +venture, for if she were missed it would be very easy to trace her to +Saltbury, and then this cottage would be the first to seek for her in. +Accordingly she went into the more thronged and populous part of the +town. The expensive season had not yet begun, and she presently went +into a neat little house with "Apartments" written on a card in the +window. She asked for a bed for the night. The landlady, a ruddy-faced +young woman, immediately said she could accommodate her, and took Elma +upstairs to the top of the house to show her a neat little bedroom. + +"You can have this for half a crown a night, miss," she said. "Are you +likely to make a long stay?" + +"I don't know," answered Elma; "I can't be sure. I want the room for one +night, and then I'll let you know." + +"Very well, miss, that's quite satisfactory, and I can get in anything +you like in the way of food. If you happened to wish for a sitting-room, +miss--" + +"Oh, no, a bedroom will be enough," answered Elma. "I do not care to go +to the expense of a sitting-room." + +"You left your luggage I suppose, miss, at the railway station?" + +Elma colored and then turned pale. + +"No," she said; "I have not brought any luggage with me." + +The woman stared, opening her eyes very wide, now giving Elma a full and +particular attention which she had not hitherto vouchsafed to her. She +said nothing further, and Elma went downstairs. + +"I'll go down to the beach for a little," she said. "You might have some +tea ready for me when I come back. I am very tired, and should like some +tea and toast." + +"And a hegg, miss, or anything of that sort?" + +"No, thank you; just tea and toast, please. Nothing more." + +The woman stared after her as she went down the street. Elma got as far +as the beach; she then sat down on a bench and gazed out at the waves. +The tide was coming in. The beach at Saltbury was celebrated, and +children were playing about, amusing themselves gathering shells, making +sand-castles, and otherwise disporting themselves after the manner of +their kind. A little boy was wading far out. Elma watched him with +lack-luster eyes. She wondered vaguely how long he would be allowed to +wade, and how deep he might go. He got as far as his knees, and then +turned back. As he was going back he fell, wetting himself and crying +out lustily. + +Elma continued to gaze at him with eyes which scarcely saw. + +"He thinks he is hurt," she said to herself, "that he has had a +terrible misfortune. How little he knows what real pain means, and what +real misfortune is! Here am I with money in my pocket which does not +belong to me, having run away from home, disgraced for life, miserable +for life. Oh! what shall I do?" + +It had been a very hot day, but the evening was chilly, and Elma +shivered as she went back to her lodgings in South Street. She had +brought away no wraps with her, and her thin cotton dress was not +sufficient to keep out the chill of the sea breezes. She thought she +would be glad to get under shelter, to go to bed, to wrap herself up and +cover her face and court sleep. When she got to the door, however, the +young landlady, who was evidently waiting for her, came out on to the +steps. + +"If you please, miss," she said, "I am really very sorry, but my husband +thinks----" + +"What?" said Elma. + +"That as you have no luggage, miss (you know it ain't customary for us +to take in ladies without luggage)----" + +"Then you mean--" said Elma, turning very white and pale. + +"Yes, miss, I'm ever so sorry." + +"You can't give me the room even for one night?" + +"We can't really, miss." + +"But I can pay in advance," said Elma eagerly. + +"I'm ever so sorry, miss; but another lady came just as you left, and +she had a box and a handbag, and everything proper, and as she wanted +the room very badly and as we had her before, we have let it to her, +miss. I am sure I am very sorry not to oblige; but I dare say--There +are a great many other apartments down this road, miss." + +"Thank you," said Elma; "it does not matter at all." + +She spoke with a voice of ice; pride, a remnant of pride, came to her +aid. She would not let the woman see how distressed she was. + +"Good-evening, miss," said the young landlady. "I'm real sorry not to +oblige." + +"Oh, it doesn't matter," said Elma; "I dare say I can manage." + +She walked down South Street, knowing that the landlady was watching her +as she disappeared. She soon came to a corner where four roads met. +Where should she go? What could she do? Where was she to have shelter +for the night? + +It occurred to her that after all there was nothing now left to her but +to return to Middleton. She hurried up to the railway station, and asked +when the next train would start. A porter, who was standing just inside +the station informed her that the last train for Middleton had left five +minutes ago. + +"The next will be at seven to-morrow morning," he said. + +"Thank you," answered Elma. She would not allow any of the dismay on her +face to appear. + +"After all, it is too absurd that I can't have shelter," she said to +herself, "when I have over ten pounds in my pocket. What can the +landlady have meant? Surely, if I pay my way that is all that is +necessary." + +But, all the same, she did not like to go and inquire at any other +lodging. She could not stand meeting once again the stony stare of a +landlady when she explained that she had no luggage, none at all. It +occurred to her that she might go into a shop and buy some night-gear +and a small handbag, but she rejected the idea almost as quickly as it +came to her. + +"It would only waste the money," she said to herself, "and where is the +use? I suppose I can manage to spend the night somewhere. Thank +goodness, it is a fine summer's night; I might do worse than spend it in +the open air." + +She wandered away, and presently passing a small restaurant, went in and +ordered a cup of tea for herself, and some bread and butter. She drank +the tea, but found that to eat choked her. The outlook before her was +more miserable moment by moment. She was driven to such despair that it +seemed of very little consequence to her whether she succeeded in +getting away from Middleton School, from the censorious eyes of the +whole of her world, or not. Everything was up with her. She kept +repeating that moodily, drearily under her breath. Everything was up; +she had not a friend in the wide, wide world. + +Having finished her meager meal, she went out again into South Street. +She was horrified when she saw the name at one end of the street. She +did not want to pass by that neat little house which contained that snug +little bedroom where she had hoped to cover her eyes from the light, and +court sleep, in order to get rid of her misery for a few hours. + +She had now reached the neighborhood of the shore. The tide was nearly +full in; the great, broad expanse of beach was covered. The children +had all gone home to supper and to bed. The stars were coming out in the +sky; a full moon was riding in majesty across the heavens. It seemed to +Elma, fine as the night was, that the sea moaned in an unreasonable and +very dreadful manner. She had to press her hands to her ears to shut +away the sound of that moaning sea. She determined to go inland. There +was plenty of time, plenty. She could get back to the station by seven +in the morning, wait for the first train which returned to Middleton, +and reach the school after all in time for her exposure. + +She turned her steps now countrywise, and after walking for a mile or +two found that she was too weary to go any further. She crept inside a +narrow opening in a hedge, and got into a field. Here she was absolutely +alone; not a human being was in sight. As far as she could tell there +was not a living creature near. She felt the grass; it was heavy with +dew. She had always heard that it was very dangerous to sit down on +grass soaked with dew, but danger now was of no moment to her. + +"It would be rather nice to be ill; it would be rather nice to die." She +had nothing left to live for. Her whole life had been a mistake. She had +tried hard to get away from her own set, the set in which she was born. +She had made a mess of it; she had failed. Her own set--the +narrow-minded, the vulgar, the low--were the only ones who could claim +her, who could touch her, who could have anything in common with her. +How terribly shocked Miss Sherrard had been at what she had done. How +disgusted, how coldly, terribly cruel Aunt Charlotte had been; but her +mother had thought very little about it, and Carrie would love her just +as much after her disgraceful conduct as she had done before. + +"I belong to them, and they belong to me," thought poor Elma. "My +ambitions were wrong; I shall sink now, and become a second Carrie. No, +I shall never marry a Sam Raynes, but I shall become a sour old maid. +Perhaps I shall do charring some day, there is no saying. I did wrong to +try to raise myself. I----" + +She never saw where her fault lay. She was not really repentant for her +wrong-doing. The consequences were terrible, but the sin did not trouble +her. + +After a time, terribly exhausted and weary, she lay down just as she was +on the soaking wet grass and fell asleep. She had been chilled and tired +before she slept; but when in the very middle of the night she awoke she +had never known anything like the bitter cold which she experienced. She +could not at first remember where she was; but all too soon memory with +a flash returned to her. She remembered all the events of yesterday. She +knew that she was a runaway, that she had stolen money in her pocket. +She might be arrested and put in prison; there was no saying what awful +fate lay before her. In the dead of night lying there she became really +frightened; she almost felt as if she could scream aloud in her terror. +How empty the world seemed, how hollow! She wished the stars overhead +would not blink at her; she wished the moon would go behind a cloud; she +felt as if God Himself was looking at her through the face of the moon, +and she did not like it. She covered her face with her cold and +trembling hands, and tried to shut away what she felt might be the face +of God Himself. + +"I have been a very wicked girl," she moaned, and now, for the first +time, she thought not so much of the consequences as of the sin. Tears +rained from her eyes; she sat up and covered her face. + +"God help me! Please, God, don't be too angry, with me; I am the most +miserable girl in the world," she faltered. + +After that frightened cry or prayer she felt more comfortable; and now, +staggering to her feet, she saw, standing about ten yards away, and +looking at her fixedly out of its large and luminous eyes, a brown cow. +There were several more cows in the field, and this one had come up, and +was gazing inquiringly at her. The motherly creature could not imagine +what desolate and queer young thing this was, up and awake in the middle +of the night. Such creatures as Elma, in the cow's experience, were not +to be seen at these inclement hours. It lashed its long tail slowly from +side to side, and kept gazing at her; and Elma looked at it, and her +nervous terrors grew worse. The cow had horns; suppose it came near, and +tried to horn her. She was not a country girl, and did not understand +country creatures. A bitter cry of abject terror rose from her lips. She +darted past the animal, rushed out by the way she had come into the +field, and found herself once more on the highroad. + +The cow, its curiosity very faintly tickled by the appearance of Elma on +the scene, placidly resumed its feeding, and the terrified girl ran as +if she had wings to her feet up the highroad. + +In after days she was never able to tell how she spent the remainder of +that night; but the longest hours only herald in the dawn, and at last +the sun arose and the worst of her fears were over. The sun warmed her, +and took away the dreadful feeling of chill which she was experiencing. +She wandered about, sitting down now and then, too feeble, too tired, +too utterly depressed to have room even for active fears, and at last +the time came when she might again present herself at the station. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +SUNSHINE AGAIN. + + +When Carrie left her, Kitty Malone was buoyed up with a certain degree +of hope. Carrie had spoken with confidence; she had assured her that her +clothes were worth money. Never before, much as she prized pretty +things, had they seemed so valuable in poor Kitty's eyes. If Carrie +would really keep her word it would be possible for Kitty to send Laurie +the money which he wanted that evening. Could she do this her worst +anxieties would be laid to rest, and she felt that it would be even +possible for her to try to be good once more. As things were at present, +she cared nothing at all about being either good or bad. Every thought +of her mind was fixed upon Laurie; if he were saved she would be good; +if not--if he indeed, the darling of her heart, went to the +dogs--nothing mattered. + +Kitty was too restless and miserable to go down to the rest of the +family. She walked up and down, up and down her bedroom, watching and +longing for Carrie. Now and then she would rush to the window, putting +out her head and shoulders and half her body, to watch if by any chance +Carrie might be coming up the street. That red-faced, fat, +uninteresting-looking young woman now represented all Kitty's hopes. + +When darkness set in, however, when the hours first struck nine and +then ten, poor Kitty gradually saw the last star in her firmament +expire. "Without doubt Carrie had failed to pawn the things. + +"And I thought them so good," whispered Kitty to herself. "Aunt Bridget +would be sure to choose nice and expensive things. Perhaps they were too +good for the people who come to the pawnbroker for their clothes. That +must be the reason; but I wonder Carrie did not come back to tell me." + +Presently Alice bustled into the room, and, opening the door of the +large wardrobe which the girls shared between them, began to make active +search for a neat little jacket which she wanted to put on. She was +going out for the evening, and wished to wear it when she was returning +home. Search as she would, however, she could not find it, and presently +turned to ask Kitty if she had seen it. + +"Dear me, no," answered Kitty, starting and blushing. "Is it not in the +wardrobe?" + +"No," replied Alice. "And I remember I hung it on this peg. Where can it +possibly have disappeared to? Don't you know anything about it, Kitty? +By the way, how wonderfully empty the wardrobe looks! Have you been +putting your clothes back into your boxes?" + +Kitty, who had been standing in the middle of the room looking the very +picture of despair, now burst into a hearty peal of laughter. + +"What are you laughing about?" asked Alice. + +"I am awfully afraid it has happened," she cried. + +"What do you mean?" + +"Why, that your jacket has gone to the pawn." + +"Kitty!" cried Alice, looking at the Irish girl in some alarm, "have you +gone mad?" + +"No, Alice; but I am dreadfully afraid all the same that it has +happened; indeed, there can be no doubt of it." + +Kitty laughed again. She often cried when she laughed and now the tears +ran down her cheeks. + +"Well, this is too funny!" she gasped between her paroxysms of mirth. + +"I don't think it funny at all. I think you must have taken leave of +your senses. Kitty, please, explain yourself." + +"I will try to, Alice. Oh, don't frown at me so horribly, or I shall go +off into fits of laughter again. This is the simple truth. I wanted +money very, very badly. I could not get it, and Carrie Lewis--" + +"Carrie Lewis? Who is she?" asked Alice. + +"Oh, don't be so ridiculous, Alice. Of course you know who Carrie Lewis +is. She is Elma's sister. She came here to-day." + +"How very interesting! What a nice set of people you seem to be getting +to know! I wasn't aware that you were acquainted with any of the Lewises +except Elma." + +"Well, I am acquainted with Carrie now, and I rather like her. She is +great fun, much more fun than you are. She is vulgar, of course; but +really that does not matter. She called to see me, and as I happened to +want money she suggested pawning some of my things for me. I conclude +she took your jacket by mistake with the rest." + +Alice was so stunned absolutely by this news that no words would come +to her. She stared at Kitty, her face growing whiter and more +wooden-looking each moment. Then, without vouchsafing a syllable of +reply, she left the room, banging the door behind her. + +"There, I have given her a good settler," thought Kitty; and for a +moment the feeling that Alice was as uncomfortable as she was herself +gave her a certain sense of satisfaction. + +The last post brought a letter from Laurie. It was brief, and was +written in frantic hurry and despair. + +"My dear Kitty," wrote the boy, "what has come to you? I am looking for +a letter by every post, but none arrives. I shall not be able to give +Wheel-about the money I promised him on Saturday, and I know he will not +keep my secret any longer. When father hears it, all is up. If I don't +receive that money by Saturday morning I shall run away to +sea.--LAURIE." + +The letter fluttered from poor Kitty's fingers to the floor. She felt +stunned; there was a cold weight now at her heart, which made it almost +impossible for her to move or even think. If Laurie did not get the +money by Saturday morning he would run away to sea. This was Thursday +evening. There was still time, just time, to save him. Oh, if only +Carrie would come! How dreadful, how terrible of her to fail Kitty at +such a moment as this! Laurie was just the sort of boy to do what he +said. The longing to go to sea had been one of the innermost cravings of +his heart for many years. If he did so, the squire would never forgive +him. His career would be ruined. Bad and awful as an English school in +Kitty's opinion would be, the fate which he now had mapped out for +himself would be much worse. The cruel, cruel sea might even drown him. +Kitty might never behold her Laurie again. He was the joy of her heart +and the light of her eyes. She uttered a piercing cry, and fell down +half-fainting by her bedside. She lay so for the greater part of an +hour, then struggling to her feet got into bed without undressing, and +pulled the bedclothes well over her head. + +When Alice came in very late that evening she thought that Kitty was +asleep, and did not disturb her; but all during the long hours of that +miserable night poor Kitty lay awake, her heart beating loud, terrible +visions passing before her eyes. Toward morning she fell into a troubled +sleep, to awake again quite early. Her head ached badly, her pulses beat +too quickly; she could not stand her hot bed any longer. Springing up, +she went into the bathroom, turned on the cold water, and refreshed +herself with a bath. She felt really desperate and quite impervious to +all ideas of discipline. She made up her mind to go to the Lewises, +knock up Carrie, and demand an account of the property which she had +confided to her on the previous day. Even still there was just--just +time to save Laurie, for if she could catch the early post he would +receive his money on Saturday morning. + +Kitty found herself at Constantino Road between seven and eight o'clock. +The blinds of Carrie's bedroom window were still down, for the Lewises +were not early risers. Maggie however, was up, and when Kitty rang the +bell she opened the door for her. + +"Miss Malone!" she cried. + +"I want to see Miss Carrie at once," cried Kitty. "Is she up, Maggie?" + +"Not she, miss. She's sound asleep and in bed. But I'll run up and tell +her that you are here. Please come into the dining-room, Miss Malone." + +Maggie threw open the door of this by-no-means luxurious apartment, and +then ran upstairs to inform Carrie of Kitty's unexpected arrival. + +"Now, what can be up?" thought Carrie. "Surely she is satisfied. I did +very well for her." + +She dressed herself hastily, and in five minutes was standing by Kitty's +side. + +"What is it?" she asked. "Are you not pleased? Elma took you the money, +did she not? She must have stayed with one of the Middleton School girls +for the night, for she never returned home; but she took you the money. +I thought I did very well by you. Were you not satisfied?" + +"She took me the money?" cried Kitty, turning pale. "No; that she did +not. I never had any money. What do you mean, Carrie?" + +"What I say," answered Carrie. "Oh, do sit down, Kitty; you look quite +ghastly. I gave Elma ten pounds seven shillings and twopence to give you +I got eleven guineas for your things, including the watch and chain. +After I deducted my ten per cent., the balance for you was ten pounds +seven and twopence. I thought you would be delighted. Did she not take +you the money early yesterday evening?" + +"No. I have never seen her." + +"But she left here quite early on purpose. She said she was going +straight to your house. I sent you plenty of money, did I not?" + +"How much did you say?" asked Kitty, putting her hand up to her forehead +in a distracted way. + +"Ten pounds seven and twopence. You only really wanted eight pounds, did +you not?" + +"I had a little money of my own, and eight pounds would have done," said +Kitty in a low voice; "but----" + +Here she sprang forward and gripped Carrie by the arm. "What does it +mean, Carrie--what does it mean? Elma never came near me; I never, never +saw her last night." + +"You never saw her? Elma never went to you?" + +"No, never. Do you think I would tell an untruth? I never saw her, not +since early school yesterday. Oh, Carrie, tell me what it means?" + +"I cannot. I must say it looks very queer," said Carrie. She frowned, +turned her back partly upon Kitty, and supporting her fat chin on one of +her dimpled hands, began to think deeply. The more she thought the less +she liked the aspect of affairs. + +"Carrie, what does it mean?" cried Kitty, reiterating her words in a +kind of frenzy of agitation. + +"Oh, stop talking to me for a minute, Kitty! I must think this out." + +Carrie walked to the window, pulled up the blinds, threw the sash up, +and allowed the fresh morning air to blow upon her hot face. After a +time she turned round and faced Kitty. + +"You may well look pale," she said. "I confess I am as bewildered as you +are yourself. Of course Elma may have been taken ill--she had a +dreadful shock yesterday." + +"How?" + +"You are silly to talk like that. Don't you know?" + +"You mean because I told about her?" + +"Well, it turned out very badly, as badly as possible. You did tell, and +when you did so you ruined her. If you had only kept that precious story +to yourself, even for twenty-four hours, little Elma would have been +made--made for life; but you ruined her." + +"Oh do please tell me what you mean! My head is going round in a whirl; +I can scarcely follow you." + +"You can pull yourself together if you like. This is what happened. I +told you, did I not, yesterday, that Aunt Charlotte pays Elma's fees at +Middleton School?" + +"I think so, but I don't quite remember." + +"That is so like you. I always said you were selfish." + +"Think what you like, Carrie; but please tell me everything." + +"Oh, I'm quite willing. This is the story. Aunt Charlotte came here +yesterday. She had heard of a splendid school in Germany, where Elma was +to be sent as pupil-teacher. She wanted Elma to leave Middleton School +at once, as she had found an escort to take her to Germany; but before +Elma could be admitted into this new school it was necessary for her to +have a certificate from Miss Sherrard. Now you see daylight, don't you? +My aunt, Mrs. Steward, went to see Miss Sherrard, taking Elma with her. +Elma did not know that you had put a match to the mine, and of course +Aunt Charlotte knew nothing about it. When Miss Sherrard was asked to +give Elma a certificate for conduct, she refused point-blank. Of course +the mine exploded. Elma was called in, and all your nice, miserable +story told to Aunt Charlotte. Elma is to be publicly exposed at +Middleton School to-day; and Aunt Charlotte has washed her hands of her +forever. There! that's what you have done. We have much to thank you +for, have we not?" + +Kitty's face had grown whiter and whiter. + +"You blame me very much for what I am not to be blamed for," she said +after a pause. + +"That's what you think. You're an Irish girl, and you think nothing of a +promise. You promised Elma you would not tell. You lent her the money, +and you promised you would not tell about it. You broke your promise, +and you have ruined her for life. There! that's what has happened. I +wish you joy of the nice state your conscience must be in." + +"You are very bitter to me, Carrie; but you cannot quite see my side of +the question. I would not have told about Elma if Elma had been in the +least true to me, but she was not, not a bit. All the same, I am +terribly, terribly sorry for her. I would not have got her into this +scrape if I had known." + +"Ay, you had no thought, you see. You just blurted out everything." + +"I am very miserable," said poor Kitty. She clasped her trembling hands +together, and tears slowly welled into her beautiful dark-blue eyes. +Carrie watched her with anxiety. + +"There, now I like you," she said, after a pause "You look awfully +pretty with those tears in your eyes, and----" + +"Pretty, do I?" said Kitty. For a moment a pleased smile flitted across +her face, but then it faded; the present anxiety was too intense for her +to give much thought to her personal appearance. + +"Where can Elma be?" she said. + +"Ah, that's the dreadful part. I don't know. She went out of the house +with your money. She evidently never took it to you. I am sure I cannot +think what has happened to her." + +"And my money is gone?" said Kitty. + +"So it seems--that is, unless we can find Elma. It is all very dreadful, +very horrible. I suppose the plain English of the matter is this"--here +Carrie gulped something down in her throat--"that she--she stole your +money and has run away with it." + +"Carrie, you cannot think so!" + +"It is what I have to think," answered Carrie. "It is a mighty +unpalatable truth, I can tell you. I suppose, now, your next step will +be to prosecute her to send the police after her, and have her locked +up. Then you will ruin me too, for Sam Raynes--not that he is +overparticular, nor that he cares twopence about refinement, or anything +of that sort--would not care to marry a girl whose--whose sister was put +in prison. That's your next step isn't it, Kitty Malone?" + +"I won't stop to listen to you," said Kitty; "you are too terrible." + +She ran to the door, opened it, and the next moment found herself in +the street. She walked fast, ugly words repeating themselves in her +ears. Carrie had been very blunt, and had given the petted, half-spoiled +girl some home truths to think about. Had she really been unkind in +telling about Elma? Oh, what was right and what was wrong? What was the +matter? Could she ever, ever, in the whole course of her existence, have +a light heart again? She walked up the street, little caring what she +was doing or where she was going. At the next corner she came plump upon +Elma herself, who was coming slowly, very slowly in the direction of +Constantine Road. When she saw her, poor Kitty gave a sudden shout. + +"Oh, Elma!" she said, "how glad I am--how glad I am!" + +"What do you mean?" said Elma. Her voice was faint. + +"I thought I might never see you again. I thought--I don't know what I +thought--but you have come back." + +"I ran away, and I have come back again," said Elma. "You can punish me +if you like, Kitty; things can never be much worse than they are." Here +she staggered, and would have fallen had not Kitty held her up. + +"How dreadfully bad you look! But oh, the relief of seeing you again!" +said Kitty. "Where have you been? What have you done?" + +"I scarcely know what I have done, or where I have been. I have a noise +in my head, a queer noise. My head aches so badly it seems as if it +would never leave off again. I am going to school, and they are going +to expose me. It was all because you told, Kitty. And here is nearly +all your money." Elm a put her hand into her pocket. "I must tell you +everything, Kitty; for nothing really matters now. I meant to take that +money. I meant to steal it all, but when it came to the point I found I +could not. Here is most of it back. I spent three shillings on my fare +to Saltbury and back, and sixpence on tea last night. That leaves ten +pounds three and eightpence. Here, count it, won't you, Kitty? Take it +in your hand. Here are the ten sovereigns, and the three shillings, and +the sixpence and twopence. Have you got them all right? I must owe you +the balance, but I'll pay you soon--soon." + +Elma's voice sounded weaker and weaker. Kitty clasped the money; her +small fingers closed over it, her eyes grew bright, a flaming color rose +into each of her cheeks, and it was as if new life was put into her. + +"How bad you look!" she cried; "but oh, how happy I am to have this +money! Never mind for a moment what you meant to do; I have it now, and +I forgive you with my whole heart. Let us go straight to the nearest +post office. I must get a postal order lor eight pounds immediately. +Come, Elma, come." + +"But what do you mean? Why should I go with you?" + +"Because you must--because I am not going to part with you--not yet. +Come, come at once. Oh, how dead tired you look! You are not to go back +to that dreadful little house of yours--not yet. Here is a nice-looking +restaurant. You just go straight in, and I'll go on to the post office +and send off the postal order to the dear old boy. He is saved now, and +I am saved; nothing--nothing else matters. Dear Elma, of course I +forgive you; pray don't look so miserable. I felt fit to die five +minutes ago, but now I am as well and jolly as possible. Here, Elma, +come into the restaurant and wait." + +Kitty had clutched hold of Elma's arm, and now she dragged her into a +large, bright-looking restaurant, which they were just passing. The next +moment Elma found herself seated by a small marble table. Kitty was +ordering tea or something, Elma could not quite make out what, nor did +she care. Everything was dreamy and unreal to her. + +"I'll be back in a minute, Elma," cried Kitty. Her flashing eyes smiled +as they glanced at Elma. Elma tried to smile back, but could not. The +next moment Kitty was out of the place. She was back again in less than +a quarter of an hour. + +"I have done it," she cried, "and my heart is as light as a feather. I +have sent off the postal order to Laurie; he will be saved now. Oh, it +is so comforting; and we have a little over two pounds for ourselves." + +"For ourselves--what do you mean?" said Elma. + +"Why, of course, we'll divide it and have a jolly time. Aren't you going +to have your breakfast? I'm as hungry as a hawk." + +As Kitty spoke she poured out a cup of tea, added milk to it, and pushed +it toward Elma. Elma drank it off, and when she had done so the confused +feeling in her head got a little better. Kitty then began to speak in a +low, excited whisper. + +"Let us do something," she said. "Let us do something quite mad and +wild and jolly. We have got out of our scrape." + +"You have; but I am in it up to my neck," said poor Elma. "Oh Kitty, I +am a miserable, wretched girl!" + +"Never mind, you are going to be a jolly girl now, the jolliest girl in +the world. Do you think because I am happy again that I am going to +leave you to all this misery, particularly after that nice blunt, +determined Carrie of yours telling me that it was my fault, and that I +would repent it to my dying day? Look here, Elma, did you say that you +wanted to go back to Middleton School this morning?" + +"I have to. I am to be exposed, you know." + +"Not a bit of it. Neither you nor I will go to that hateful school; let +us run away." + +"Run away? But I have run away and come back again." + +"Let us do it over again." + +"Kitty, what do you mean?" + +"What I say. I have heaps of money; let us get back to Saltbury and enjoy +ourselves, Elma. Why can't we take the next train? No one will prevent +us; no one will guess where we are. We will have a nice time, a really +nice time. Say 'Yes,' Elma, won't you?" + +"But would you really go with me?" + +"Why not? I am the wild Irish girl, and you are the naughty English +girl; let us go off together." + +"Well, it does sound tempting," said Elma, her eyes sparkling. "Kitty, +it is wonderful of you not to give me up." + +"Oh, I am not the sort of girl to give up a friend when she is in +trouble. You have made it right for me, and the sun is shining again, +and I am as happy as the day is long. Elma, you must come." + +"It does sound tempting--I wish my head did not ache so badly." + +"It will be better when you get to the seaside." + +"Perhaps so, and then I need not go to Middleton School." + +"You need never go there again. Oh, don't waste any more time over +breakfast. We can eat when we get to Saltbury. I want to get off before +Alice and Carrie or any of them begin to miss us. Let us go to the +railway station; it is not far off." + +Kitty's eager and impetuous words earned the day, and in a quarter of an +hour's time the girls found themselves speeding away to Saltbury. + +"We have indeed burned our boats now," said Kitty, with a laugh; "we +have both run away. Now they have something really to scold us about; +but never mind. I never felt, more jolly in my life." + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +KITTY "GO-BRAGH" (FOREVER). + + +But Kitty's happiness was very short-lived, for long before they got to +Saltbury Elma was really so ill that she could not hold up her head. +Kitty had never seen such severe illness before. She was not easily +frightened; she had plenty of pluck when a real emergency arose, and she +now determined to do her best for her companion. + +"It is all the worry and the misery she has undergone," thought Kitty to +herself; "but now that my mind is at rest she will see what a good +friend I can be to her." When they got to Saltbury she immediately +ordered a cab, and desired the man to drive her to the nearest hotel. + +"Oh, Kitty!" gasped poor Elma, "they won't take us in, because we have +no luggage, you know." + +"I'll manage it," said Kitty; "no luggage--what does that matter?" + +She followed Elma into the cab, and a few moments later the girls found +themselves at the door of a neat little inn facing the sea. Kitty jumped +out and went straight to the bar. + +"I want a nice, quiet bedroom," she said, "with two beds in it." + +"Certainly, miss," said the woman, glancing into Kitty's bright face. + +"It must be a very quiet room," continued Kitty, "for my companion is +ill; she has a bad headache, and we must send for a doctor immediately." + +"Yes, miss. I'll send the porter out to bring in your luggage." + +"That's the annoying part," said Kitty; "we have no luggage." + +The woman looked dubious, and turned to glance at a man who approached. + +"Two young ladies want a room," she said in a low voice. "One of them is +ill, and--they have no luggage." + +"Then in that case, miss, I am very sorry----" began the man. + +But Kitty interrupted him. + +"Don't say those words," she began. "I know exactly what you are going +to say, but please don't. We have no luggage, for we--we have run away +from school. There now, I have confided in you. Here's father's card. He +will be responsible for us. Please show us to your very best room +immediately." + +As Kitty spoke she took a card out of her sealskin purse and handed it +to the woman. + +"Dennis Malone, Castle Malone, County Donegal," was inscribed on the +small piece of pasteboard. It evidently had a good effect, but a still +greater effect was produced by the sparkling and lovely eyes of the +handsome girl who spoke in a tone of quiet assurance. + +"Father will be so grateful to you for taking us in," she continued. "It +would be terrible, you know, if you allowed us to wander about the +streets. I am going to telegraph to him now, and he will arrive here, I +have no doubt, within the next twenty-four hours. I have not much money +with me," added Kitty frankly, "but father will bring plenty--plenty when +he arrives." + +Again the man and woman whispered together, and now approving and +interesting glances turned in Kitty's direction. The woman presently +said: + +"Very well, miss, we'll do our best for you. Will you follow me, miss?" + +She took Kitty and Elma upstairs and showed them into the best room in +the house. In a very short time poor Elma found herself in bed, with +Kitty bending over her, kissing her now and then, and whispering kind +words in her ears. + +"I have managed beautifully with the people of the hotel," whispered +Kitty. "And now, darling, you'll be made so comfortable. I am going to +make up to you for--for what Carrie said I did." + +"But you did nothing; it was I who was bad, very bad," cried Elma. + +"Oh, don't begin to get remorseful now, while you are ill. Wait, at +least until you are better. I have ordered some fruit and jelly and ice, +and I have asked the landlady--isn't she a dear--to send for the +doctor." + +"It seems like a dream," said Elma. "Is it possible that everything has +changed so completely, and you--you, Kitty Malone--you to whom I have +acted so badly, are good to me?" + +"Yes, yes, I mean to be good to you; but don't begin to fret about your +sins until you are better. Leave unpleasant things alone. Go to sleep, +Elma; go to sleep." + +Kitty went out of the room and stood and reflected for a few moments on +the landing. + +"Here's a state of things," Kitty said to herself; "but on the whole I +rather like it. I knew I should be good in emergencies; I felt that it +was in me. I am afraid poor Elma is going to be downright ill. I suppose +I did wrong to run away--perhaps I did; but I am so relieved about +Laurie that nothing else seems to matter now. I will telegraph +immediately to the dear old dad and ask him to come right away here at +once. When I see him and know that Laurie is really saved, I'll just +tell him everything. Oh, yes, that is the only--only thing to do." + +Kitty went straight to the nearest post office, and in an incredibly +short space of time the following message was being carried across the +wires to Castle Malone: + +"AT THE SIGN OF THE RED DOE, SALTBURY.--You will be surprised, father; +but I have run away from school. I will tell you everything when I see +you. I am here with a sick girl who has also run away. We have very +little money; and I, your Kitty, want you dreadfully. Come to me as +quickly as you can. + +"KITTY MALONE." + +"Bless him," said the girl to herself. "He may be angry for a minute, +but this message will bring him on the wings of the wind. Now that it +has gone off I wonder ought I to let them know at Middleton?" + +Kitty reflected earnestly over this problem. She quickly, however, made +up her mind to keep her secret to herself. + +"A little suspense will be rather good for Alice than otherwise," she +thought; "and although Mr and Mrs. Denvers may be anxious about me, they +can but telegraph to father; and as he will know my address already it +won't put him into a taking. Miss Sherrard too can bear it; and as to +Carrie, I am really sorry for poor old Carrie, and I should not much +mind having her here; but I think until father comes I will look after +Elma my lone self, as they say in Ireland." + +Having made up her mind, Kitty went back to the hotel and asked the +landlady, with whom she was now great friends, to send for the best +doctor in the neighborhood. + +Dr. Marchand arrived in the course of the morning, and pronounced Elma +to be ill, but not alarmingly so. + +"Your young friend is suffering from considerable shock," he said, "and +has evidently also taken a severe cold; but with care and nursing she +will in all probability soon get relief--that is, if the strain from +which she is suffering is taken off her mind." + +"Oh, I think I can manage that," answered Kitty, nodding to the doctor +in a very bright and frank way. Her dark-blue eyes were shining like +stars; the color in her cheeks, the set of her beautiful head on her +lovely neck, the very arrangement of her clothes fairly bewitched that +good man. He had seldom seen such sparkling eyes nor such a beautiful +dimpled mouth. Kitty's manner completely won Dr. Marchand over to her +side, as it had already done the good people at the hotel. + +After getting innumerable directions from the doctor, she went +downstairs to consult with her land lady. + +"Now, Mrs. Stacey," she said, "I must buy lots of things, and I wonder +if you can help me. I have telegraphed to father to come here; but until +he does I have only this much;" here she opened her purse and tumbled +the contents on to the landlady's palm. + +Mrs. Stacey started back in some astonishment. Really this was a very +fascinating young lady; but she had never met anybody quite so--so out +of the common. + +"You can reckon it up if you like," said Kitty; "you will see that it +does not come to two pounds. Now, do you know of a shop that would trust +me--give me credit, I mean--for some things?" + +"What sort of things, miss?" + +"Oh, clothes, and a couple of trunks. You see, we are not respectable +without trunks, are we?" + +"Oh, yes, Miss Malone, you are." + +"But do you know of such a shop? Please think very hard, Mrs. Stacey." + +"Williamson's round the corner will oblige you to any extent, miss, if +you mention my name." + +"Then I'll go there immediately. Thank you; how very nice you are!" said +Kitty. + +"Of course I ought not to be nice to you, miss, for it ain't right--no, +that it ain't--to encourage runaways." + +"When you know our story you will be quite glad you encouraged us," +laughed Kitty. + +"Then perhaps you'll confide in me, miss." + +Kitty colored and thought for a moment. + +"I think father must know it first," she said. "And now I must rush +away to get the things that poor Elma requires." + +During the course of that day it could scarcely be said that Kitty +Malone was without luggage; for two new trunks presently made their +appearance, full to the brim with all sorts of dainty clothing both for +Elma and herself. + +"Elma," she cried, dancing into the sick-room, "I have got two of the +most charming hats you ever laid eyes on. Mine is sweetly becoming to +me, and I am sure yours will suit you equally well; they are both big +white leghorns, with great bunches of black feathers in front. Won't +they look sweet with our new muslin dresses? Mine is pink, but I thought +blue would suit you best. I expect dad to-morrow evening at the latest; +and I am going to meet him at the station in my new hat and dress. There +will be no doubt about his forgiving me when he sees me in them." + +Just then there was a tap at the door, and Kitty, rushing to open it, +found a telegram awaiting her. She tore it open and read the following +words: + +"Starting from Dublin by the night-boat, with you to-morrow.--DENNIS +MALONE." + +"There, didn't I say he was a darling--the best, best darling in the +world?" cried the excited girl. "Oh, won't he have a _caed mille +afaltha;_ won't he? Elma, I am almost beside myself." + +"I don't know what you are talking about," said Elma. "What do you mean +by those queer words?" + +"_Caed mille afaltha_? Oh, they are the Irish for a hundred thousand +welcomes. We put them over our arches and everything when people are +coming home. Oh, they don't speak a half nor a quarter of what our +hearts are full of. Oh father, father, the joy--the joy your poor little +Kitty feels at the thought of seeing your darling face again!" + +That night again Kitty lay awake, although Elma slept. Strange thoughts, +strange and new, were coursing through the young girl's brain. +Everything had been a failure, and yet she felt bright and happy and +like her old self once more. + +"It is the thought of seeing father," she said to herself. "I was never +fit for England. England and its ways will never suit me, never, never; +but when I see father I shall be all right. Oh, to think that he is +really coming, and that Laurie is saved! I must, of course, tell father +everything; but he won't be angry with Laurie when I tell him the story +in my own way." + +Accordingly early the next morning Kitty dressed herself in the +fascinating leghorn hat and slipped on the pink muslin dress, and, with +a bunch of roses at her belt, sallied forth to the railway station. She +soon found the right platform, and paced up and down in a fever of +impatience waiting for the train. As she was doing so, flaunting her +pretty little person in a somewhat aggressive way and causing some +prim-looking ladies to gaze at her with anything but approval, a hand +was laid on her arm, and turning she saw, to her amazement, the +extremely indignant faces of Miss Sherrard and Miss Worrick. + +"Well, Kitty, after this!" said Miss Sherrard, + +"Oh, please don't scold me just now!" said Kitty, with a little gasp; +"wait until he comes." + +"Until who comes?" + +"Father. I am expecting him by this train." + +"I am relieved at that," said Miss Sherrard. "I shall have a painful +tale to tell him." + +"So you may, Miss Sherrard. You may tell him everything; but please let +me tell him my story first. You must, you shall; I insist." + +The girl's eyes were flashing; she was trembling all over. Just when her +happiness seemed to be at its height, for Miss Sherrard and Miss Worrick +to appear! + +"Oh, and there's the train!" she cried. "He will be here in a minute; +let me see him first. Oh, the train, is stopping, and there he is; I see +him at the very end; there he is with his white hair and--let me go, let +me go!" + +She rushed from Miss Sherrard's retaining arm and flew up the platform, +and a moment later the owner of the pink dress and leghorn hat was being +clasped tightly, tightly to the breast of the magnificent-looking old +gentleman, almost a king in his way, who had suddenly stepped on to the +platform. + +"Father, you'll protect me--they have come, they have followed me. You +will let me tell you my story first? Father! father! oh, feel how my +heart is beating!" + +"Why, Kitty, asthore; Kitty, Kitty, my own. What is it, Kit? I say, Kit, +what is wrong?" + +"Nothing, nothing now that you have come; but let me tell you my story +first." + +"Your story first--why, of course, Kit." + +"They are there; speak to them; tell them you will see them afterward. +We are staying at the Sign of the Red Doe; tell them that you will see +me first and then you will see them." + +"Introduce me to them, Kitty, and calm yourself. Come, Kitty, come." + +"Yes, father, yes; it is all right." + +Kitty's terrible excitement subsided; leaning on her father's arm, she +approached the platform where Miss Sherrard and Miss Worrick, both +looking rather confused, were standing. + +"This is my father, Miss Sherrard," said Kitty, introducing Dennis +Malone, who took off his hat with a grand sweep. + +"I am relieved to see you," began Miss Sherrard. + +"Pardon me one moment, madam," said Malone; "but Kitty here would like +to tell me her story first. You are her school-mistress, the lady with +whom I have had the pleasure of corresponding?" + +"I am, and I have a very, very painful tale to tell you." + +"You shall tell me your story afterward." + +Here the owner of Castle Malone caught sight of Miss Worrick, and gave +her a bow even more deferential than he had bestowed upon the +head-mistress. + +"I am sorry to put you off even for a few moments, ladies," he said; +"but you see this little girl, she--she must come first. However badly +she has behaved, she--she is my only girl, you understand, and I--I must +hear her story first. Will you meet us both within an hour at the Sign +of the Red Doe? Then everything can be explained." + +"I wonder if that dreadful girl is to go unpunished in the end," said +Miss Worrick to Miss Sherrard, as they both slowly went to the nearest +hotel to wait until the time arranged to meet Kitty and her father at +the Sign of the Red Doe." + +"It seems like it," said Miss Sherrard. "But what a splendid old man! +Perhaps after all it may be the best thing for Kitty Malone not to +punish her, Miss Worrick." + +"Oh, Miss Sherrard! I cannot approve of your very lax opinions. Surely +punishment for such terrible wrong-doing--" + +"Yes, she behaved badly, but not so badly as Elma, I think we must wait +to hear the whole story explained; at present we are more or less in the +dark." + +"And now, Kit, what is it?" said the squire, when he and his daughter +were ensconced in the little sitting-room at the Sign of the Red Doe. + +"Do you mind if I give you one of my real big hugs first?" said Kitty. + +"To be sure not, alanna--oh, acushla macree! it is like flowers in May +to see you again." + +"There! I am better now," said Kitty, after she had bestowed one of her +most violent hugs upon her father. "Let me sit on your knee and I will +tell you everything." + +At the best it was a sad story, a story full of wrong-doing, full of +impulse, full of passion; and although Kitty tried hard to make Elma's +part of it as light as possible, the squire's eyes blazed and a +thundering note came into his voice as he listened. + +"That's a bad girl, Kitty," he cried; "and you ought to have nothing to +do with her." + +"But that's exactly it, father--that's what I am coming to. If you +won't let me have anything to do with Elma, why--why, you must punish me +terribly. I want you to let me--to let me make Elma my real friend." + +"That sort of girl your friend? Not if I know it," said the squire. + +"But, please, father, do let me plead for her. I have done her injury, +and she--she has never had advantages like the rest of us." + +Then Kitty began to coax, and few, very few people could coax like this +Irish girl. Not only with her voice, but with her eyes, with a smile +here and a frown there, she set herself to bring old Squire Malone to +her way of thinking. And as always from the time she was a tiny child +she had been able to twist this old lion round her little finger, so she +twisted him now. + +"You have got to do it, father," she said at last. "You have got to +forgive Laurie, and you have got to forgive Elma, and----" + +"Bless the boy, it was just like his recklessness, Why didn't he come +and tell me? He wasn't afraid of his old father, was he?" + +"Well, father, you know you are very fierce when you like." + +"Tut! tut! Kitty, don't you begin to scold." + +"No; I won't--not if you yield to me. Full and free forgiveness for the +whole three of us; for your Kit----" + +"Bless you, child, I have forgiven you already." + +"Ay, didn't I know it--didn't I say he was a dear old thing? Now, +Laurie--you won't say a word to him?" + +"I'll give him a right good scolding." + +"Why, then, dad, your scolding never did anybody any harm; your bark is +worse than your bite, you know; but there will be no school in England +for him, that's what I mean." + +"Well, it doesn't seem to have succeeded with you, asthore." + +"No more it did. Why, it was breaking the heart in me entirely." + +"So you want to come back with me again?" + +"That I do, and never, never be a polished lady with manners to the +longest day of my life." + +"You want to be Wild Kitty still?" + +"Wild, wild, the wildest of Kittys to the end of the chapter." + +"And what will your aunts say?" + +"Never mind; what you say is the important thing." + +"It shall be as you please, Kit. I am sure I have missed you sore, very +sore." + +"And now, what about Elma?" + +"Yes; what do you want me to do for her?" + +"I want her to come back with me to Castle Malone for the rest of the +summer." + +"Oh, heart alive! child; but I don't think I could take to that sort of +girl." + +"Yes, you will, if I take to her. Now, dad, must I begin it all over +again?" + +"No, no; anything to please you, Kit." + +"And at the end of the summer, as you have plenty of money, and as I am +sure she has repented most bitterly will you send her to Girton?" + +"Oh, come, come; I make no promises." + +"But I know it is all right, and I am going to rush up to her and tell +her everything. Oh, and here come Miss Sherrard and Miss Worrick. You +shall see them without me." + +"I declare, upon my word, Kitty, you are the most extraordinary +creature. How am I to face the good ladies?" + +"Here they are, father. Please, Miss Sherrard, come in; father will see +you, and Miss Worrick too." + +Kitty flung open the door, and the head-mistress of Middleton School and +her subordinate found it closed behind them. They had a short interview +with Squire Malone--very short. It ended by Miss Sherrard and the squire +shaking hands most heartily. + +"You did your best for her, and I am awfully obliged to you," said the +squire. "But, after all, she is too wild for England; she had better +stay in her own land." + +"I believe you are right," said Miss Sherrard. + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, WILD KITTY *** + +This file should be named 8wldk10.txt or 8wldk10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, 8wldk11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, 8wldk10a.txt + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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