t a train to go back by."

"Indeed, and that you won't," said Miss O'Flynn. "You are going to stay
with me to-night. Why, do you think I'd let this precious darling child
back again in the middle of the night? And you must stay here too--what
is your name? Oh, Ruth. I can get you a room here, and you shall have a
fire and every comfort."

"I at least must go home," said Ruth. "My grandfather and grandmother
will be sitting up for me."

"Oh, nonsense, child!" said Miss O'Flynn. "I can send a commissionaire
down to tell your grandfather that I am keeping you for the night."

"Of course, Ruth," said Kathleen. "Don't be silly; it is absurd for you
to go on like that. And for my part I should love to stay."

"I am sorry, Kathleen," said Ruth, "but I must go home. Perhaps one of
the porters can tell me when there is a train to Merrifield. I must go
back, for grandfather would be terrified if I didn't go home. You, of
course, must please yourself."

"My dear child, leave it to me," said Miss O'Flynn. "You can't possibly
go back--neither you nor my sweet pet Kathleen. Oh, I'll arrange it,
dear; don't you be frightened. You couldn't go so late by yourself; it
wouldn't be right."

Miss O'Flynn, however, had not come in contact with a character like
Ruth's before. She could be as obstinate as a mule. It was in that
light Miss O'Flynn chose to consider her conduct.

"I must go," she said. "I can't by any possibility stay."

"Do, Ruth, for my sake," pleaded Kathleen, tears in her eyes.

"No, Kathleen, not even for your sake. And I think," added Ruth, "that
you ought to come with me. It would be much better for you to see Miss
Ravenscroft in the morning and explain matters to her."

"Nonsense!" said Kathleen, now speaking with decided temper. "That is my
affair. I like you very much, Ruth, but you really need not interfere
with me."

"I should think not indeed," said Miss O'Flynn. "I know nothing about
you, Miss Craven, but you don't understand what a person of consequence
my niece is considered in Ireland."

"That may be," replied Ruth; "but at school Kathleen, sweet and dear as
she is, has to obey the rules just like any other girl.--Please,
Kathleen, do be persuaded and come back with me.--Indeed, Miss O'Flynn,
if you will only believe me, it is considered a very grave offence to
miss morning school or to be late when nine o'clock strikes; and
Kathleen can't be at school in time unless she returns home now."

"I'm