ng, you don't
know how pretty you look; and even though you have deserted me, and
won't join my darling, beloved society, yet I shall always love you."

Here Kathleen seated herself near Ruth and flung one arm around her
waist.

"But," said Ruth, disentangling herself from Kathleen's embrace, "you
don't mean that Miss Ravenscroft--Miss _Ravenscroft_--wanted you to go
and see her and you didn't go?"

"No, I didn't go. Why should I go? Miss Ravenscroft has nothing whatever
to do with me."

"Oh, Kathleen! she is your mistress--the head-mistress of the Great
Shirley School."

"Well, and what about that? Aunty--my darling, my own dear, sweet aunt
Katie O'Flynn--sent me a telegram to meet her in town. She is at the
Hotel Metropole. Ruth, do you know where it is?"

"I haven't the most remote idea."

"Oh, well, we'll get there somehow. Never mind now; don't look so
worried. I shall be sorry I asked you to come with me if you look any
graver."

"But you make me feel grave, Kathleen," said Ruth. "Oh, Kathleen, I
can't tell how you puzzle me. Of course, I know that you are very pretty
and fascinating, and that lots and lots of girls love you, and will
always love you. You are a sort of queen in the school. Perhaps you are
not the greatest queen, but still you are a queen, and you could lead
the whole school."

"That would be rather fun," said Kathleen.

"But you'd have to change a good bit. You'd have to be just as
fascinating, just as pretty, but different somehow--I mean--"

"Oh, do tell me what you mean, and be quick. We'll be in London before
long."

"You wouldn't disobey Miss Ravenscroft if you were to be our real
queen."

"Then I'll not be your queen, darling, for I shall disobey Miss
Ravenscroft when it comes to a case of obliging her or dear, darling,
precious aunty."

Ruth said no more. In her heart of hearts she was very much distressed.
She was sorry for her own sake that she had met Kathleen, and that she
was going with her to London; but on the other hand she was glad that
she was with the girl, who by herself might have got into a serious
scrape.

Finally the two found themselves standing, very forlorn and slightly
frightened, on one of the big platforms at Charing Cross.

"Now what are we to do?" said Kathleen.

"We must ask the way, of course," was Ruth's answer. "Here is a porter
who looks kind."

She went up to the man.

"Have you any luggage in the van, miss?" was the immediate inquir