The girls had been about a fortnight at school, and work was in full swing, when Kathleen, springing from her seat, said abruptly, “Queen, I want to propose something.”
“Well, what is it?” asked Maggie, who was lying back against a pile of cushions and supplying herself daintily from a box of chocolates which her adorers had purchased for her.
“I want us all,” said Kathleen, “to give a party to the other queen and her subjects; and I want it to be about the very jolliest entertainment that can be found. We must, of course, ask Mrs. Ward’s leave; but she is certain to give it.”
“I don’t know that she is,” said Maggie.
“Oh, she is—certain sure,” said Kathleen. “May I go and ask her now?” 120
“Do you dare?” said Rosamond Dacre, looking at Kitty’s radiant face with some astonishment.
“Dare!” cried Irish Kitty. “I don’t know the meaning of anything that I don’t dare. I am off. I’ll bring you word in a few minutes, girls.” She rushed out of the room.
Janet Burns looked after her, slightly raising her brows. Rosamond Dacre and the two Roaches began to sound her praises. “She is sweet, isn’t she?”
“Yes,” said Clara; “and I do so love her pretty Irish brogue.”
“Mother tells me,” said Janet, who was Scotch, “that Irish characters are not much good—they’re not reliable, I mean.”