"O don't, Kit," remarked Keith, with a laugh; "your ministrations are just a trifle too violent."
She frowned with annoyance. Her jealous heart was becoming very sore. Keith was considerably hurt by the powerful lotion, and he lay for some time indifferent to Kitty's presence. Once she went up to him and asked if she might do something.
"You do something!" he replied. "No, thank you; send your sister to me."
"It is true," thought Kitty to herself. "He hates me, and he loves her. Why should he turn me away just because I made a tiny mistake?"
She choked down a sob in her throat, and went to fetch Mollie. Mollie returned instantly. Keith smiled when he saw her.
"Your very presence gives me strength," he said; and Kitty, silly, foolish Kitty, heard the words.
Her mind was made up now; surely she had seen for herself.
"But I won't give him up," she thought. "Mollie shall not have him. She aims at being so high, and yet she does the very lowest, meanest things. She tries to take my Gavon from me, but she shan't have him."
Kitty went across the ward. Lawson called out to her.
"Have you anything special to do, miss?"