"No, I didn't go. Why should I go? Miss Ravenscroft has nothing whatever to do with me."
"Oh, Kathleen! she is your mistress—the head-mistress of the Great Shirley School."
"Well, and what about that? Aunty—my darling, my own dear, sweet aunt Katie O'Flynn—sent me a telegram to meet her in town. She is at the Hôtel Métropole. Ruth, do you know where it is?"
"I haven't the most remote idea."
"Oh, well, we'll get there somehow. Never mind now; don't look so worried. I shall be sorry I asked you to come with me if you look any graver."
"But you make me feel grave, Kathleen," said Ruth. "Oh, Kathleen, I can't tell how you puzzle me. Of course, I know that you are very pretty and fascinating, and that lots and lots of girls love you, and will always love you. You are a sort of queen in the school. Perhaps you are not the greatest queen, but still you are a queen, and you could lead the whole school."
"That would be rather fun," said Kathleen.
"But you'd have to change a good bit. You'd have to
be just as fascinating, just as pretty, but different somehow—I mean—"
"Oh, do tell me what you mean, and be quick. We'll be in London before long."