I declare I won't go if it is as bad as that."

"It would be like you not to come," said Alice. "But I think you will
come. I don't think you will be allowed to be absent."

"Allowed!" said Kathleen. "Who is going to prevent me staying away from
school if I wish to?"

"The vote of the majority," said Alice very firmly. "Now, look here,
Kathleen; don't make a fuss. It is wrong for the girls of the Great
Shirley School to absent themselves without due reason."

"Well, I have a headache. I had one last night."

"No, you had not."

"Alice, dear, why do you speak to Kathleen like that?" said her mother.
"What is the matter with you?--Kathleen, do keep your temper.--Alice, I
am sorry something has annoyed you so much."

"It is past speaking about, mother. You will understand all too
soon.--Kathleen, it is time for us to be going."

"I am not going," said Kathleen, "so there!"

"Kathleen, you are."

"No."

"Come, Kathleen; come."

"You needn't fuss about me; I am not coming."

"Kathleen, dear, I think you ought to go. Go for my sake," said Mrs.
Tennant.

Kathleen looked up then, saw the anxiety in Mrs. Tennant's face, and her
heart relented. She was in reality not at all afraid of what might be
going to happen at school. If there was to be a fray, she desired
nothing better than to be in the midst of it.

"All right," she said, "I will go; but I won't go yet. I am going to be
late this morning. I can see by your manner, Alice, that I have got into
disgrace. Now, I can't think what disgrace I have got into, unless some
horrid girls have been prying and telling tales out of school. That sort
of thing I should think even the Great Shirley girls would not attempt.
Unless some one has been mean enough to act in that way, there is
nothing in the world to prevent my going to school, and taking my
accustomed place, and disporting myself in my usual manner. I shall get
a bad mark for being late; that is the worst that can happen to me. I am
going to be very late, so you can go on by yourself, Alice."

Alice very nearly stamped her foot. She went so far as to beg and
implore of Kathleen, but Kathleen was imperturbable.

"You are very naughty, Kathleen," said Mrs. Tennant, but Kathleen ran up
to her and kissed her.

"You and I will have some fun, perhaps, this afternoon," she said. "I
have got a lot of new plans in my head; they are all about you, and to
make you happy and not so tired. Don't be cross with me. I'l