“Not more than usual.”
“I want a plain answer.”
“No.”
“Then—who was wi’ ye at the time?”
Kitty flushed and went pale. “Mr. Colin Hayward.”
“What? That useless waster! Were ye not forbidden to ha’ any acquaintance—”
“And he’s failed again in his examinations!” cried Miss Corrie. “It’s the talk o’ the place.”
“What ha’ ye to say for yourself?” roared her brother.
“Nothing,” came the quiet answer; “nothing that would satisfy you or Aunt Rachel. I had no intention of meeting Mr. Hayward to-night, but when I did meet him I was not going to pretend I did not know him because he had failed in an examination. And before long I was very glad I had met him, for his presence kept away Mr. Symington. Now, if you don’t mind, I’ll go to bed—”
A warning glance from his sister caused Mr. Corrie to strive for self-control.