"Oh, hush, child; don't you know you're talking nonsense?"
Kitty took me at my word.
"Earl's lady is a Countess, ain't she?" she asked, her voice still shaky. Then she sat suddenly upright and put back her red curls from her brow, winking vigourously. "Oh, if you do live in a castle, put in bathtubs and gas; and if you go to court, please, Princess, hide a kodak under your bouquet for me and—"
Crying and laughing by turns and tossing back her flaming locks, she started for the door.
"Helen," she said, turning as she reached it, "I have such bad symptoms! Am I really the only girl that's jealous of you?"
"The only one that isn't jealous, you—you dear!" I exclaimed; and I believe it's almost true!
Kitty paused in the hall, playing with the roses in a bowl upon the table.
"We hear something of how the dowagers adore you. But let 'em wag their double chins; you'll scat the old cats from their cushions!" she said.
At the impetuous outflinging of her hands, the floor was strewn with pink petals.
"Cats?" repeated Mrs. Whitney, who just then made her appearance, "are they a hobby with Miss Reid?"