about every person, man and woman, old and young, on the
Carrigrohane estate. But when all the news had been told, when the exact
number of dogs had been recounted, the cats and kittens described, the
fowls, the goats, the donkeys, the horses, the cows enumerated, it came
to be Aunt Katie's turn to listen.

"Now my love, tell me, and be quick, about all you have been doing. And
first and foremost, how do you like school?"

"Not at all, aunty; and I'm not learning anything."

"My dear, that is sad hearing; and your poor father pining his heart out
for the want of you."

"I never wished to go to school," said Kathleen.

"You will have to bear it now, my pet, unless you have real cause for
complaint. They're not unkind to you, acushla, are they?"

"Oh, not really, Aunt Katie; but they're such dull people. The teachers
are dull. I don't mind Miss Spicer so much; she's the music teacher. As
to Miss Ravenscroft, I have never even seen her."

"And who is she, darling?"

"The head-mistress, and no end of a toff."

"What's a toff, dear?"

"It's a slang word they use in stupid old England."

"I don't admire it, my love. Don't you demean yourself by bringing words
of that sort home to Carrigrohane."

"Not I. I shan't be a minute in the old place before the salt breezes
will blow England out of my memory. Ah! it's I who pine to be home
again."

"It will broaden your mind, Kathleen, and improve you. And some of the
English people are very nice entirely," said Miss O'Flynn, making this
last statement in what she considered a widely condescending manner. "So
your are not learning much?"

"I am getting on with my music. Perhaps I'll settle down to work. I
should not loathe it so much if it was not for Alice."

"Ah! she's the daughter of Mrs. Tennant. I rather took to Mrs. Tennant,
the creature! She seemed to have a kind-hearted sort of face."

"She's as right as rain, aunty; and so are the two boys. But Alice--she
is--"

"What, darling?"

"A prig, aunty. Detestable!"

"I never took to that sort," said Miss O'Flynn. "Wouldn't you like some
oyster-patties and some plumcake to munch while you are talking,
deary?"

"I shouldn't mind."

"I'll ring and order them."

A servant appeared. Miss O'Flynn gave orders which resulted in a rich
and most unwholesome supper being placed upon the table. Kathleen and
her aunt ate while they talked.

"And what occupies you, love, at all at all?" said Miss O'Flynn as she
ate