Miss Kezia turned and hurriedly left the room.
Molly suddenly pushed her bowl away with an angry clatter. She flung her arms out over the table and hid her face in them.
"Oh, I can't—help it!" she cried out wildly. "Everything's so—awful!" and she burst into tears.
Nell caught her underlip between her teeth and rose.
"Shan't we go to bed, Denis?" she said wearily.
"Yes, come along. K.K. may as well have the porridge. We've been neglecting you, old lady, haven't we, then?"
The Atom sat rigid, her shocked gaze bent stiffly on Molly's prone head.
"Oh," sobbed Molly, "I shall die—in a week—here—I—hate Aunt Kezia—I hate this house—I hate—everything! Oh, I want mother—and dad—"
The Atom got down stiffly from her chair, her gaze never leaving Molly.
Nell, in pity of the little white face, tried to put Kate Kearney into her arms, but she drew back. "I don't want her," she said.