a corner."

"Can't I share your bed, mummy? I shall be so miserable with that
dreadful Kathleen."

"You know quite well, Alice, that that is the only really good bedroom
in the house, and I can't afford to give it to one girl by herself. I
think Kathleen will be all right when we really get to know her; but she
is very undisciplined. Still, three guineas a week makes an immense
difference to me, Alice. I can't help telling you so, my child."

"In my opinion, it is hardly earned," said Alice. "I suppose I must
stay down here and give up my supper. I can't go like this, all untidy,
and my hair so messy, and my collar--oh, mother, it is nearly black! It
is really too trying."

"I will go up and see if I can persuade her," said Mrs. Tennant.

She went upstairs, turned the handle of the door, and spoke. The moment
her voice penetrated to Kathleen's ears, she jumped to her feet, crossed
the room, and bent down at the other side of the keyhole.

"Don't tire your dear voice," she said. "What is it you want?"

"I want you to open the door, Kathleen. Poor Alice wants to get in to
get her clothes. It is her room as much as yours. Let her in at once, my
dear."

"I am very sorry, darling Mrs. Tennant, but I am privately engaged in my
own half of the room. I am not interfering with Alice's."

"But you see, Kathleen, she can't get to her half."

"The door is in my half, you know," said Kathleen very meekly, "so I
don't see that she has any cause to complain. I am awfully sorry; I will
be as quick as I can."

"You annoy me very much. You make me very uncomfortable by going on in
this extremely silly way, Kathleen."

"I will darn some more socks for you, darling, tired pet," whispered
Kathleen coaxingly. "I really am awfully sorry, but there is no help for
it. I must finish my own private affairs in my own half of the room."

She retreated from the door, and the scratching of the pen continued.

Alice downstairs felt like a caged lion. Mrs. Tennant admitted that
Kathleen's conduct was very bad.

"It won't happen again, Alice," she said, "for I shall remove the key
from the lock. She won't shut you out another time. Make the best of it,
darling. If we don't worry her too much she is sure to capitulate."

"Not she. She is a perfect horror," said Alice.

Mrs. Weldon's supper party was to begin at eight o'clock. It was now
seven, and the girls were to call for Alice at half-past. If Kathleen
would only be quick she might