heir
frolic was not discovered, all would be well; if it was, it would be
ruin--ruin complete and absolute. The ladies of the town would fight shy
of her mother's shop. Aunt Church would be very unlikely to get her
little almshouse in Ireland, for surely even Kathleen's friends would be
very angry with her if they knew. Susy herself would be expelled from
the school, and she in her fall would bring down her mother and brother.
Yes, terrible would be the consequences _if_ they were discovered. But
then, they needn't be. Plucky people were not as a rule brought into
trouble of that sort. It only needed a brave heart and a firm foot, and
courage which nothing could daunt; and the other girls, the thirty-eight
who were to join Kathleen and Susy, would keep them company.
Nevertheless Susy was as unhappy as she was happy that day. She was so
absorbed in her feelings, and in wondering what would happen during the
next twenty-four hours, that she was not attentive at her lessons, and
did not notice how the teachers watched her and made remarks. It was
very evident to an onlooker that the teachers were particularly alert
that morning, and that their gaze was principally fixed upon the
foundationers.

No remarks, however, were made. The school came to an end quite in the
usual manner. Immediately afterwards Kathleen dashed off to find Ruth.
Ruth was waiting for her just outside the gates.

"Here I am," said Kathleen. "Take my arm, won't you, Ruthie? I shall be
very glad indeed to be introduced to your grandfather."

Ruth made no answer. Her face was white, but this fact only increased
the rare delicacy, the sort of fragrance, which her appearance always
presented. Kathleen and Ruth, did they but know it, made a most charming
contrast as they walked arm-in-arm across the common; for Ruth belonged
more or less to the twilight and the evening star, and Kathleen--her
face, her eyes, her voice, her actions--spoke to those who had eyes to
see of the morning. Kathleen was all enthusiasm, gay life, valor,
daring; Ruth's gentle face and quiet voice gave little indication of the
real depth of character which lay beneath.

"This is such a lovely day," said Kathleen, "and somehow I feel so
downright happy. Perhaps I am wrong, perhaps I am right, but I feel
happy. I think it is on account of the day."

They had now reached the little path which led up to the cottage. Ruth
went first, and Kathleen followed. What a tiny place for her darli