n, so in this house I must cleave to
the home truths. I could tell you, you know, that you have quite a
fascinating smile, and a very taking voice, and a delightful and
polished manner; but I prefer to tell you that you are comical, which
means that I feel inclined to burst out laughing whenever I look at
you."

"Thank you," said Ben, who could be very sulky when he liked. "Then I
will take my objectionable presence out of your sight. I have got my
lessons to do."

Kathleen raised her brows and gave a slow smile. Ben got as far as the
door.

"Benny," she said then in a most seductive whisper.

He turned.

"I am so glad you are in."

"I should not have thought so."

"But I am. It is awfully lonely for a girl like me, who has got dozens
of cousins at home, and uncles and aunts and all the rest of the goodly
fry, to be stranded. I like David. I am quite smitten with David; and I
like you, too. You can be a _great_ friend of mine."

"Oh, I don't mind," said Ben.

He thought it would be very good fun to tell the other fellows about
the charming Irish girl who liked him so much.

"I wonder if you'd help me, Ben."

"What can I do?" asked Ben.

"Sit down, and let's be cozy. I will sit in the tired one's chair, and
you can sit on that little stool at my feet. Now isn't that nice?"

"Who do you mean by the tired one?"

"Your mother, silly boy, of course."

"It is a very ridiculous name to call her."

"It belongs to the Palace of Home Truths. Your mother is tired, and
you--you lazy omadhauns--"

"Well, go on," said Ben. "I see by your manner that you want me to do
something. I suppose it's something a little bit--a little bit not quite
good."

"It is perfectly good. I'll love you ever so much if you will do it."

"What is it?"

"I am going out this evening. I may not be in until late. If the others
are in bed, will you come and unlock the door for me when I throw gravel
up at your window? You must tell me which is your window."

"I sleep in the north attic. It doesn't look out on to the street; and I
can't--I can't possibly do it."

"You can come down and wait for me in the hall."

"How can I?"

"When the tired one goes to bed, you can come down. She goes to bed at
ten, I know, and I shall not be in until about half-past ten. I don't
want Dave to know--well, because I don't. I don't want Alice to know,
because I dislike Alice very much."

"Really, Kathleen, you ought not to speak like that."

"