Kate's splendid dark eyes were lowered under Molly's direct gaze.
"Now, I want to do right, because—— Oh, I can't tell you the reason, but I think Miss Forester understands. You don't suppose I wish to have Matilda with us, but it seems wrong——"
"Yes, it seems wrong," suddenly interrupted Cecil; "it seems extremely wrong to make four boys and two girls utterly and completely miserable for the sake of a low sort of girl like Matilda."
"But you needn't be!" said Molly. "If nice people shun Matilda, how is she to get nice?"
"She never will, my dear; rest assured of that," said Kate. "Oh, give it up, Molly! tell Matilda that you did your best for her, but that we simply would not consent."
"But I want you to consent," said Molly.
"What a persistent child you are! now you most explain yourself fully. Why should we be sacrificed to Matilda?"
"You won't be sacrificed if you make her better; you don't suppose she is going to influence any of us to do wrong?"
"Oh, that is too silly an idea!"
"If we don't take her with us, and if afterward we hear that she has been with people who have helped her to get a little lower, and a little meaner, a little more despicable than she is now—well, we'll be sorry."