"Really, Kate, it is too bad of you to let your loss spoil the fun for everybody," said Marion, reproachfully, as they turned towards the steam-boat pier once more.
"I don't want to spoil your fun, I only want you to leave me alone," said Kate, crossly. And Marion did leave her alone for the rest of the evening, but her self-appointed friend would not. He paid her steamboat fare back, and talked to her assiduously as he had done during the afternoon, but with little better success, and Kate was thankful when the miserable day came to an end, and she was once more in the little bedroom she shared with Marion.
"And do you really mean to say, Kate, that you took out all the money you possessed?" said her cousin, as she began to undress.
"Yes. I know it was very foolish," sighed Kate.
"How much was there altogether?" asked her cousin.
"Nearly six shillings."
"Oh, well, that wasn't much," said Marion, rather contemptuously, "and I daresay you will be able to manage until your mother sends you some more."
"I shall not ask mother—I'll wait until Mrs. Maple pays me my wages."
"Say salary, my dear, that is more genteel," said Marion. "But how are you going to manage for your letters; and you'll want new neck-ribbons, and that bonnet will never last you three months."
"It must, and I shall have to do without neck-ribbons. There, don't bother me to-night," concluded Kate.