It would be in the worst taste
possible to wear anything but the simplest clothes."
"All right," said Kathleen. "If I am a chatterbox, you are about the
greatest preacher, with the most long-winded sermons, that ever entered
a house. You are a perfect plague to me, and that is the truth, Alice
Tennant."
Alice poured some water into her basin, washed her hands, and went
downstairs.
"Mother," she said, "I am obliged to be out the whole afternoon. The
scholarship examination takes place in six weeks now, and if I am to
have any chance of getting through I must not idle a single moment. I
grieve to say that a box of finery has arrived for Kathleen--most
unsuitable, for she has plenty of clothes. I do trust, mother, you will
keep her in tow a little this afternoon, and not allow her to make a
show of herself."
"You are not very kind to Kathleen," said Mrs. Tennant. "Why shouldn't
the child enjoy her pretty things? I like to see girls nicely dressed.
It is a great trial to me to be obliged to deny you the ribbons and
frills and laces which most girls of your age possess."
"Thanks, mother," answered Alice; "but if you were as Rich as Croesus, I
should not wish, while I am a schoolgirl, to dress any better than I
do."
"You certainly have a great deal of sense, dear; but don't be too hard
on the little girl. Ah! here she comes. Now we must sit down to dinner
at once."
During dinner Kathleen's eyes sparkled so brightly, and she looked so
merry and mysterious, that both the boys gazed at her in wonder.
Pages:
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114