"Did you hear me?"
"Yes, Kate."
"Then answer, child." Again I was mute. Kate laid down her work and beckoned me to her.
"Is it a secret?" she asked, gravely.
"I don't say it is, Kate," I replied eagerly.
"Then answer." I was obstinately silent.
"Will you tell me?" she asked, much incensed.
"No," I resolutely replied.
She rose in great wrath, and consigned me to the back-parlour for the rest of the day. Never did punishment sit so lightly on me. Towards dusk Miss O'Reilly opened the door, that I might not feel quite alone. Cornelius came home much later than usual; I sat in the dark, but I could see him; he had thrown himself down on the sofa; the light of the lamp fell full on his face; his look wandered around the room in search of me.
"She has been naughty," gravely said his sister; and she proceeded to relate my offence.