ost disturbing."

"If you would only take poor little Kathleen as she is, you would find
her quite agreeable, Alice," was her mother's answer.

"Oh dear, mother! you seem to be just as much infatuated as the others.
But never mind. I am off now, and I need not be back in the house until
it is time to dress to go to Mrs. Weldon's. I declare that girl is
causing me to hate my home. I don't think its fair, whatever you may say
to the contrary."

Mrs. Tennant sighed. Alice had always been a little difficult; she was
more than difficult at the present moment. But very soon afterwards the
welcome bang of the hall door was heard, and the house was free.

"Now for a jolly time," said Kathleen. "Tired one, where are you?"

"Kathleen, you ought not to call me by that name. You ought to be more
respectful."

"Arrah, then, darling, I can't; 'tain't in me. I am so fond of you--oh,
worra, worra! there's nothing I wouldn't do for you; but I must be as
I'm made. You do look tired, and tired you will go on looking until I
take you to Carrigrohane to rest you and to feed you with good milk and
good fruit and good eggs and good cream.--Now then, boys, lift up that
trunk. Be aisy with it, so that you won't hurt it. Take it up to my
bedroom and put it on the floor. Maybe there's something in it for you,
or maybe there isn't--Mrs. Tennant, acushla! you will come along
upstairs with me at once. You can bring your mending basket, and I will
pop you into the arm-chair by the window, and we can consult together
over the garments. It's fine I'll look when I have them on. Aunt Katie
O'Flynn is a woman who has real taste, and I know she is going to dress
me up as no other girl ever was dressed before in the Great Shirley
School."

Mrs. Tennant could not help laughing. The boys were also in the highest
good-humor; Kathleen's mirth was contagious. They went upstairs to the
bedroom, and then Ben saucily perched himself on the foot of one of the
beds; while David, having brought up a hammer and screwdriver, proceeded
to lift the lid of the box, which was firmly nailed down. Under the lid
was a lot of tissue-paper. Kathleen went on her knees, lifted it up,
uttered a shout, and turned to the boys.

"You make off now," she said.

"No, indeed I won't," said Ben. "I want to see the fun."

"Go, both of you. There will be something nice for you when you come
back to tea," said Kathleen.

They looked regretful, but saw nothing for it but to go. Ka