She laid her head on David's shoulder and went on sobbing. David felt quite bashful. There was nothing for it but to take out his big and not too clean handkerchief and wipe her tears away.
"Whisper," he said in her ear. "There are stables at the back of the house; they are old, worn-out stables. There is a loft over one, and I keep apples and nuts there. It's the jolliest place. Will you and I go there for an hour or two after supper?"
"Do you mean it?" said Kathleen, her eyes filling with laughter, and the tears still wet on her cheeks.
"Yes, colleen, I mean it, for I want you to tell me all you can about your land of the shamrock."
"Why, then, that I will," she replied. "Wisha, then, David, it's a broth of a boy, you are!" and she kissed him on his forehead. David took her hand and led her into the dining-room. Alice was still there, looking more stormy than ever.
"It's too late now," she said; "the girls have come and gone. I can't go at all now."
"But why, darling?" said Kathleen. "Oh! I wish I had let you in.—She must go, David, the poor dear. It would be cruel to disappoint her.—What dress will you wear?" said Kathleen.
"Let me alone," said Alice.
She rushed upstairs, but Kathleen was even quicker.
"I'm not going to be nasty to you any more," she said. "I have found a friend, and I shall have more friends to