"You cannot come in, whoever you are," cried Alice from within.
"Yes, but I must, Alice, aroon; let me in, jewel that you are. I want my hat, and gloves and jacket, nothing else. Do, for goodness' sake, let me in, Alice, asthore!"
But Alice was obdurate. Once let Kitty in, she would never be able to get rid of her again, and her lessons must be learned. They were specially difficult and required all her attention.
"Then if you won't," cried Kitty, whose quick temper was beginning to rise, "at least fling the things out of the window."
"You know you must not go out at this hour."
"If you won't give them to me," said Kitty, "I'll go without them."
"You are not to have them; you are not to go out. It isn't right," called Alice, who felt strong in the cause of virtue.
Kitty rattled violently on the handle for a moment longer, and then rushed downstairs again to where Fred was waiting.
"I can't get my hat," she said; "but it doesn't matter. I'll go as I am."
Now Kitty's dress was more picturesque than suitable. She had on a crimson blouse and a skirt bedizened with many ribbons and frills. The blouse had only elbow sleeves and was cut rather low in the neck. Nothing could be more becoming to the dancing eyes, the rose-bloom cheeks, the head of dark hair.