The little girl felt quite excited. Never was there such and big and fascinating inmate of the lower fifth before. It was worth coming to school now to be in the vicinity of one so handsome and so gay.
The weary morning came to an end at last. The girls seldom returned for afternoon school, generally doing their
preparations at home. Alice Tennant, however, sometimes preferred the quiet school to the noisy life she lived with her brothers at home. She looked now eagerly for Kathleen, who had shunned her from the instant they had entered the school; she stood just by the gate waiting for her. Kathleen, on her part, was looking for Ruth Craven. Ruth had been monopolised by Cassandra Weldon.
"You must come home with me," she said.
"But my grandparents will be expecting me," said Ruth.
"Never mind; we will go round by your cottage and ask them. I know all about you, and I want to know you better. You will, won't you?"
"Thank you very much," said Ruth.
"We will go on at once without waiting for the others," said Cassandra, and they walked on quickly, while Kathleen searched in vain for her chosen friend.
"Come, Kathleen; I am waiting," said Alice in a slightly cross voice. "Mother said we were to be home early to-day."
"All right," said Kathleen; "but I can't find Miss Craven anywhere.