tell her what a good thing she had arranged on her behalf, Ruth avoided Cassandra. Presently Kathleen O'Hara, dressed somewhat extravagantly, and with her blue velvet cap perched upon the back of her golden hair, strolled out of school. She had a crimson sash round her black velvet dress, and a wide lace collar encircled her neck. She was fastening a heavily embroidered coat of blue cashmere when Cassandra accosted her.
"How do you do, Miss O'Hara?" she said.
"How are you?" replied Kathleen, just raising her brows, and then turning to say something to Susy Hopkins.
Cassandra frowned.
"How can Kathleen, who with all her eccentricities is a lady, waste her time talking to an insignificant little girl like Susy?" thought Cassandra.
Kathleen seemed to read her neighbor's thoughts, for she slipped her hand inside Susy's arm.
"I will walk with you a little way," she said; "I have something I want to say."
"One moment first," said Cassandra. "Have you seen Ruth Craven anywhere?"
"Oh yes; Ruth has left the school. Didn't you see her go? There she is, crossing the field. I suppose she is in a hurry to get home."
"Thank you," said Cassandra.