I'll have more money than any of the other fellows. I'm so excited I can
scarcely think of anything else. I know I'm doing wrong, but you did
offer me such a tremendous temptation. Now I hear Alice's step. It will
be all right, Kathleen; don't you fear."
Kathleen smiled to herself. The rest of her programme was carried out to
a nicety. At a quarter to nine she complained of fatigue, bade Mrs.
Tennant an affectionate good-night, nodded to Alice, and left the room.
"Be sure you don't lock the door," called Alice after her. "I sha'n't be
up for quite an hour, and you will be sound asleep by that time."
"I won't lock it," replied Kathleen gently.
When Kathleen had gone upstairs, Mrs. Tennant turned and spoke to her
daughter.
"You know, Alice," she said, "the child is very lovable and
kind-hearted--a little barbarian in some senses of the word, but a fine
nature--of that I am certain."
"I am so busy to-night, mother," replied Alice. "Can't we defer talking
of the charms of Kathleen's character until after I have done my
lessons?"
"Of course, dear," said her mother.
She drew her basket of mending towards her, put stitch after stitch
into the shabby garments, and thought all the time of Kathleen with her
bright face and beautiful, merry eyes.
Meanwhile that young lady, having arranged a bolster in her bed to look
as like a human being as possible, put on her hat and jacket and ran
downstairs.
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