ncreasing sense of
mischief. Certainly it was difficult to realize that one at least of
that number was determined to have her own way at any cost; that another
was extremely anxious, resolved to tell the truth, and hoping against
hope that she would not be questioned.

School had very nearly come to an end when the dread summons which both
Ruth Craven and Alice Tennant expected arrived for Kathleen. She was to
go to speak to Miss Ravenscroft in that lady's parlor.

"Miss Ravenscroft is waiting," said the mistress who brought Kathleen
the message. "Will you be quick, Kathleen, as she is rather in a hurry?"

Kathleen got up with apparent alacrity. Her face looked sunshiny and
genial. As she passed Ruth she put her hand on her shoulder and said in
her most pleasant voice:

"Extraordinary thing; Miss Ravenscroft has sent for me. I wonder what
for."

Ruth colored and looked down. One or two of the girls glanced round at
Kathleen in amazement. She did not say anything further but left the
room. When she got into the passage she hummed a little air. The teacher
who had summoned her had gone on in front. Kathleen followed her at a
respectful distance, and still humming "The wearing of the Green," she
knocked at Miss Ravenscroft's door.

Miss Ravenscroft was standing by her window. She turned when Kathleen
appeared, and desired her to sit down. Kathleen dropped into a chair.
Miss Ravenscroft did likewise. Then Miss Ravenscroft spoke gently, for
in spite of herself Kathleen's attractive face, the wilful, daring, and
yet affectionate glance in the eyes, attracted her. She had not yet had
a full and perfect view of Kathleen. She had seen, it is true, the
pretty little girl in a crowd of others; but now she saw Kathleen by
herself. The face was undoubtedly sweet--sweet with a radiance which
surprised and partly fascinated Miss Ravenscroft.

"Your name?" she said.

"Kathleen O'Hara," replied Kathleen.

She rose to her feet and dropped a little bobbing curtsy, then waited to
be asked to sit down again. Miss Ravenscroft did not invite her to
reseat herself. She spoke quietly, turning her eyes away from the
attractive little face and handsome figure.

"I sent for you last night and you did not obey my command. Why so?"

"I did not mean to be rude," said Kathleen. "You see, it was this way.
My aunt from Ireland (Miss O'Flynn is her name--Miss Katie O'Flynn) was
staying at the Metropole. I had a telegram from her desiring me