; but I don't think you'll have any time to open it at present.
You have promised to come back with me to the school this afternoon, in
order that Miss Spicer may give you a special lesson in music."

"Arrah, then, my dear!" cried Kathleen, "it isn't me you'll see at
school again to-day. It's gloating and fussing over my clothes I will
be--portioning out those I mean to give to others, and trying on the
ones that will suit me. You can go to your horrid, stupid lessons if you
like, but it won't be Kathleen O'Hara who will accompany you. Perhaps
the poor tired one would like to have a pleasant afternoon in my
bedroom. Oh, glory be to goodness! we will have a time. Isn't it worth
anything to see that blessed trunk? My eyes can almost pierce through
the deal and see the lovely garments folded away inside."

Alice took no notice; she marched on to her room. Kathleen followed her.

"The boys shall bring it up for me immediately after dinner," she said.
"I sha'n't be going out again until I go to Mrs. Weldon's. I expect
people will open their eyes when they see me to-night."

"You must please yourself, of course," said Alice. "For my part, I am
extremely sorry that the trunk has come. You were settling down a
little, and were not quite so objectionable as at first."

"Thanks _awfully_, darling," said Kathleen, dropping a mock curtsy.

"Not quite so objectionable," continued Alice in a calm voice. "But now,
with all these silly gewgaws, you will be worse titan ever. But please
clearly understand that I do not want any of your ornaments."

"Don't trouble yourself, darling; they were not made for you. I force my
treasures on nobody."

"I wouldn't wear them if you were to give them. I hope I have some
proper pride."

"Pride of the _most_ proper sort," said Kathleen, dancing before her.

"And I do hope, also, that you won't make yourself a merry-andrew or a
figure of fun at the Weldons' to-night. It will be in extremely bad
taste. We are not going to have a large party--just one or two of the
mistresses and little Ruth Craven, who, although she is a foundationer,
seems to be a very nice sort of child. It would be in the worst taste
possible to wear anything but the simplest clothes."

"All right," said Kathleen. "If I am a chatterbox, you are about the
greatest preacher, with the most long-winded sermons, that ever entered
a house. You are a perfect plague to me, and that is the truth, Alice
Tennant."

Alice poured som