"My dear! You of all young girls! I am astonished. There is nothing so deep, after all, as a demure young woman. I suppose you are in a scrape, and want Colonel Ormonde to help you out of it?"
"I think I can manage my own affairs."
"Don't be too sure. A girl with money like you is just the subject for a breach-of-promise case. Do I know either of these men?"
"Yes, both."
"Who are they?" cried Mrs. Ormonde, with deepening interest.
"Cis and Charlie," returned Katherine, laughing.
"I really cannot see anything amusing in this sort of stupid mystification," cried Mrs. Ormonde, in a huff.
"Pray forgive me; but your determination to marry me out of hand tempts me to such naughtiness. However, be forgiving, and lend me the boys till next spring. They might go to Castleford for Christmas."
"Oh no," interrupted Mrs. Ormonde, hastily. "I forgot to mention that Ormonde has almost promised to spend next Christmas in Paris. It is such a nuisance to be in one's own place at Christmas; there is such work distributing blankets and coals and things. If one is away, a check to the rector settles everything. I assure you the life of a country gentleman is not all pleasure."
"Then you will let me have the boys?"