d time to darn my dress this afternoon, and if I do,
then I'll go to-morrow," Kittie was saying, and then in a few moments
Ralph went away. The moment he was gone Kat came around into the arbor,
and threw herself on the grass.

"Now then, Kittie."

"Well, my dear."

"I would just like to know a thing or two?"

"What, for instance?"

"Who are you going with to-morrow? That abomination wants you to go with
him, and I've set my heart on having you go with me down town. You
haven't been with me, since the dear knows when, and upon my word, I
feel real bad."

"I'll mend my dress now, go with Ralph in the morning, and you in the
afternoon," smiled Kittie sweetly.

"No you don't," cried Kat, sitting up. "I'd like to have you to myself
for one day, at least. If he can get you from me so much in six weeks,
by the end of summer you'll be beyond speaking to me."

"Oh, Kat," cried Kittie reproachfully. "How can you?"

"Well, will you go with me to-morrow?"

"My dress--"

"I'll darn your old dress right now. Will you?"

"I don't believe you care half as much for me to go, as you do to spite
Ralph," said Kittie thoughtfully, and to Kat's amazement she suddenly
realized that this was so, not but what she really wanted Kittie, but
the predominant desire was to spite Ralph, and she was bound to do it
now, so she ran off for the dress, brought it back, and darned it
immaculately, whereupon Kittie felt that the thing was settled.

Kat was jubilant all the evening, and seized the first opportunity of
announcing the change in the programme. Shortly after they came into the
sitting-room, Ralph asked:

"Is the dress darned, Kittie?"

"Yes, it is, and I darned it, and Kittie's going down town with me
to-morrow," answered Kat glibly.

Ralph lifted his eye-brows with a smile, instantly detecting the little
spite-work.

"Why, did I speak to you?"

"Believe not; I spoke to you."

"Suppose you try the novelty of speaking when you're spoken to."

"I generally do; also at any other time that I take a notion. I've done
it all my life, and it'll take more than you to stop me."

"Some people talk to hear themselves."

"So I've heard, and I'm quite convinced that no one has a better right
to come under that head than yourself."

"Quite true; I'm amazed at your powers of penetration. Perhaps you also
observed that I rank only a little ways below my illustrious cousin,
Kathleen."

"I'm not your cousin, thank goodness."

"