improve yourself in the
very least, mother had better write to Squire O'Hara and suggest that
you don't come back after Christmas."

"And Squire O'Hara will decide that point for himself," replied
Kathleen. "There are other houses where I can be entertained and fussed
over, and regarded as I ought to be regarded, besides the home of Alice
Tennant. The fact is this, Alice: you aggravate me; you don't understand
me; I am at my worst in your presence. Perhaps I am a bit wild
sometimes, but your way would never drive me to work or anything else. I
have no real dislike to learning, and if another girl spoke to me as you
have done I might be very glad."

"What do you mean?" said poor Alice. "I really and truly, Kathleen, do
want to help you. You and I could work every evening together; I could,
and would, see you through your lessons. Thus you would very quickly get
to the head of your class, and get your removes without trouble at
Christmas."

"I suppose you mean to be kind," said Kathleen. "I will think it over.
Let me alone now."

She gave a portentous yawn. Ben heard her, came and sat down on an
ottoman not far off, and began kicking his legs.

"Benny," said his sister, "if you have done your lessons, you had better
go to bed."

"I don't want to go so early. You always treat me as if I were a baby."

"Well, please yourself. I am going upstairs to fetch my books. I have a
good hour and a half of hard work to get through before bedtime."

The moment Kathleen and Ben were alone, Ben rushed up to her side and
began to whisper.

"It is all as right as possible," he said. "I am going up to bed as
usual, and when mother and Alice and Dave are safe in their rooms I'll
slip down again. I'll be in the hall. Don't ring when you come back;
just walk up the steps and scratch against the door with your knuckles,
and I'll hear you and let you in in a trice. I am awfully pleased about
that sovereign; it will make me one of the greatest toffs in the school.
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 su