The boys came in. They stared open-eyed at Alice when they saw her still sitting in her rough school things, a very cross expression on her face. David came up to her at once; he was the favorite, and people said he had a way with him. Whatever they meant by that, most people did what David Tennant liked. He stood in front of his sister now and said:
"What's the matter? And where's the little Irish beauty?"
"For goodness' sake don't speak about her," said Alice. "She's driving me nearly mad."
"Your sister is naturally much annoyed, David," said his mother. "Kathleen is evidently a very tiresome girl. She has locked the door of their mutual bedroom, and declines to open it; she says that as the door happens to be in her half of the room, she has perfect control over it."
David whistled. Ben burst out laughing.
"Well, now that is Irish," David said.
"If you take her part I shall hate you all the rest of my life," said Alice, speaking with great passion.
"But can't you wait just for once?" asked David. "Any
one could tell she is just trying it on. She'll get tired of sitting there by herself if only you have patience."
"But I am due at Cassandra's for supper" and Mary Addersley and Rhoda Pierpont are to call for me at half-past seven."