not going, so there!" said Kathleen.

"Perhaps some one would tell me when the next train for Merrifield
leaves Charing Cross," was Ruth's next remark.

Before any one could reply to her, however, a servant entered and said
something in a low tone to Miss O'Flynn.

"Well, now," she said, speaking with eagerness, her face all smiles and
dimples, "the way is made plain for you at least, Miss Craven.--Who do
you think has come, Kathleen? Why, the lady who has charge of you."

"Mrs. Tennant? Oh, the dear tired one!" cried Kathleen. "She can never
be cross, and I like her very much.--Where is the lady?" she added,
turning to the waiter.

"She is in the hall, miss."

Kathleen flew out, and before Mrs. Tennant, who was really feeling very
angry, could prevent her, had flung her arms round her neck.

"Thank goodness it is you!" said the young girl. "Now don't be angry,
for you don't know how to manage it. If it was Alice, wouldn't she be in
a tantrum? But you are all right; you haven't an idea of scolding me. I
arrived here as safely as a girl could. And what do you think? I brought
pretty Ruth Craven with me. She didn't much like it, but here she is;
and she's on tenter-hooks to get home, so she can return with you, can't
she?"

"You must come too, Kathleen. You annoyed me very much indeed. You gave
me a terrible fright. I did not know what might have happened to you,
knowing how ignorant you are of London and its ways."

"But I have got a head on my shoulders," laughed Kathleen. "And now that
you have come we must have a bit of fun. I want to introduce you to
aunty. It is Aunt Katie O'Flynn, you know, the lady who sent me the
beautiful, wonderful clothes."

But here Miss O'Flynn herself appeared on the scene. Kathleen did the
necessary introducing, and the two ladies moved a little apart to talk
together. By-and-by Miss O'Flynn called the two girls to her side.

"Mrs. Tennant is not angry with you now, Kathleen. On the contrary, she
loves you very much; and she will take Miss Ruth Craven back with her. I
have been trying to induce her to stay here herself, but she won't; and
as Ruth is anxious to return home, her escort has come very opportunely.
As to you, darling, nothing will induce me to part with you until
to-morrow morning."

"But what will you do about school?" said Ruth.

"That can be managed," said Miss O'Flynn. "It isn't the first time that
Kathleen and I have got up with the sunrise. We'll get up to