"I like her," said Ruth. "She is very impulsive, but she is———"
"Oh, yes," said Cassandra, "she has a good heart, of
course; but I foresee that she is up to all sorts of mischief. She doesn't understand our ways. Why did she leave her own country?"
Ruth was silent. She looked wistful.
"Come along, Ruthie; we will be late. I have no end of schemes in my head. I mean to help you. You will win that scholarship."
Ruth smiled. Presently she and Cassandra were crossing the common arm-in-arm. In the interest of their own conversation they forgot Kathleen.
When that young lady left the house she ran back to the Tennants'.
"I will write to dad to-night and tell him that I can't stay," she thought. "Oh, dear, my heart is in my mouth! I shall have a broken heart if this sort of thing goes on."
She entered the house. There sat Mrs. Tennant with a great basket of stockings before her. The remains of a rough-looking tea were on the table. The boys had disappeared.
"Come in, Kathleen," called Mrs. Tennant, "and have your tea. I want Maria to clear the tea-things away, as I have some cutting out to do; so be quick, dear."