tremendously when she comes in and sees a good meal on the table."

Both cook and Maria were quite excited. Perhaps they had an eye to the
reversion of the tea, the sausages, the sardines, the shrimps, and the
water-cress.

Maria went out, and Kathleen stood in the hall. Two or three people
arrived during Maria's absence, and Kathleen went promptly to the door
and said, "Not at home, ma'am," in a determined voice, and with rather a
scowling face, to these arrivals. Some of the visitors left rather
important messages, but Kathleen did not remember them for more than a
moment after they were delivered. Maria presently came back and the
tea-table was laid. Kathleen gave Maria sixpence for the washing of an
extra cloth, and the well-spread table looked quite fresh and
wonderfully like a school-feast.

When Mrs. Tennant returned (she came in looking very hot and tired), it
was to see the room tidy, Kathleen seated in her own special chair
cobbling the boys' socks as hard as she could, and an appetizing tea on
the table.

"What does this mean?" said Mrs. Tennant.

"It means," said Kathleen, jumping up, "that you are to plant yourself
just here, and you are not to stir. Oh, I know you are _dead_ tired. I
will take off your shoes, poor dear; I have brought your slippers down
on purpose, and you are to have your tea at this little table. Now what
will you have? Hot sausages?--They are done to a turn, aren't they,
Maria?"

"That they are, miss."

"A nice hot sausage on toast, and a lovely cup of tea with cream in it."

"But--but," said Mrs. Tennant, "what will Alice say?"

"Maria and I don't care twopence what Alice says. This is my tea, and
Maria fetched it. Now then, dear tired one, eat and rest."

Mrs. Tennant looked at Kathleen with loving eyes.

"Did you buy these things?" she said.

"That she did, ma'am," cried Maria. "I never did see a more thoughtful
young lady."

"My dear child," said Mrs. Tennant, "you are too good."

Kathleen laughed.

"If there is one thing I am, it is not that," she said. "I am not a bit
good. I am as wild and naughty and----Oh, but don't let us talk about
me. I am so hungry. You know I didn't much like your dinner to-day. I am
not fond of those watery stews. Of course, I can eat anything, but I
don't specially like them; so if you don't mind I will have a sausage,
too, and a plateful of shrimps afterwards, and some sardines. And isn't
this water-cress nice? The leaves are not quit