“This is my dinner and breakfast together, thank you,” said Kate. “Besides, I must hurry home; for father and mother have gone away to-day.”
“And where is Frank? I haven’t seen him in a long time.”
“O, he is at home,” said Kate carelessly; “only,” she added, “I don’t think he feels very well nowadays”; and then Kate, to give Mrs. Dobson no opportunity to ask a question, began to put away the large remains of her feast, and to return her very expressive thanks for the same. “Now, Grandma Dobson, it isn’t one bit polite, I know, to eat and run away; but kiss me, and I’ll go home.”
“See here, Kittie Clover, something is the matter at home, and you will not tell me. However, I will kiss you, and when you are ready, come and tell me all about it.”
“Some time you shall know every single thing,” said Kate—more than half persuaded to tell it all out on the instant; but she did not, for her quick hearing caught the sound of coming, made by Josh, in the lane.
Kate hurried away. She wished to see Harry, and to urge him to find time to go and talk to Frank. Kate herself, after breakfast, had begged her brother to ask her forgiveness.
“I have not the least objection to doing it, Kate—do forgive me!”
“You know I did long ago, Frank. How I wish father and mother were here now—then you could come right out! you’ll—ask me—won’t you?—when they come.”
“I don’t think I will, Kate,” Frank had said; and poor Kate had run away around the corner in bitter disappointment.
After thinking the matter over, she had come to the conclusion that if anybody could persuade her brother to do right, Harry Cornwall could; and to him she had come.