"Because I asked him not to," answered Kitty. "He stayed in London till you were out of danger. After that I bustled him off home, and told him I should only bring you down to Mallow if he could induce Lady Gertrude to behave decently to you."
"You seem to have ordered him about pretty considerably," remarked Nan with a faint smile.
"Oh, he was quite meek with me," returned Kitty. "He had to be. I told him his only chance was to keep away from you, to manage Lady Gertrude properly, and not to worry you with letters."
"So that's why he hasn't written? I've wondered, sometimes."
Nan was silent for a time. Then she said quietly:
"You're a good pal, Kitten."
Followed a still longer pause. At last Kitty broke it reluctantly:
"I've something else to tell you."
Nan glanced up quickly, detecting some special significance in her tones.
"What is it?" she asked.