"Now, out with it, Julia, for I am in an awful hurry," said Kate.
"It's only fair you should know," said Julia. "You've been so kind to Molly Lavender."
"Oh, dear, dear,"—Kate put her hand to her forehead,—"why will people harp on my kindness to poor Molly? It strikes me that she has been the kind one to me. Now, what have you got to say, Julia?"
"Only that if I were you," said Julia, "I would not repeat things too much to a girl of that sort."
"What do you mean?"
Kate's face became crimson.
"Dear me, Kate, how mad you look!" exclaimed Julia. "I don't think I'll say any more. You can take a hint, can't you?"
"No, I can't! I hate hints," answered Kate. "Out with the whole thing this minute, Julia. What have you to say against Molly? What confidence has she betrayed?"
"Matilda is the one who told me. Matilda is making the greatest use of it: she's telling everybody all over the school."
Kate's brow was now as black as thunder.