"Don't be cross, darling; I mean it metaphorically. You see we live a gay life over there, we have a joke about everything, and the wit that runs out of our mouths--why, it's like flashes of lightning. Oh, we have a good time in the old country, and when you come and stay with me at Castle Malone you'll say so for yourself. Now, then, what do you want to do this afternoon?" "I must look over my lessons first." "Lessons--how many?" "A good few. You see of course I want to get on." "By the way, Alice," said Mrs. Denvers, who came into the room at that moment, "I am afraid you had a bad mark for unpunctuality this morning." "Yes, mother, that is so." "And what is your place in form?" "I went down two or three places, mother." "I am sorry to hear it; your father will be very much annoyed." "I'll try and make up for it to-morrow, mother. And, mother, Gwin Harley has asked me to go to tea with her this afternoon--may I?" "I don't see how you can. There is Kitty Malone." "But she has asked Kitty too." "What's that?" asked Kitty, bounding forward. "A tea party, bless you?" "You have been asked to tea at Harley Grove. Mother, may we go? I think Kitty would enjoy it." "If you are sure you are not too tired, Kitty; you have had a long journey," said Mrs. Denvers. "I'm not a scrap tired," said Kitty. "I'm as gay as a lark and as fresh as a daisy. I hope it's rather a big swell party, for I have got some awfully pretty dresses. I want to make myself look smart. You can tell me how they manage these sort of things in England. I'm all agog to go." "Yes, Alice, you may go," said Mrs. Denvers. "But Kitty, my dear, if I were you I would let them down lightly." "What do you mean, dear Mrs. Denvers?" "Don't startle them too much. They are not accustomed to such--such frankness as you are disposed to give." "I'll bewitch 'em," said Kitty, beginning again to dance with light fantastic measure up and down the room. "I'll bewitch 'em one and all. I have made up my mind. I didn't kiss the Blarney Stone for nothing!" CHAPTER III. IS THAT THE GIRL? Kitty and Alice went up to their bedroom, where Kitty began to unpack her trunks and toss her dresses about--they were all new and most of them were gay. She had scarcely a quiet-looking dress in the entire collection. "What will you do with those?" said Alice, who saw nothing to admire in the fantastic clothes, and much to condemn. Alice had not the smallest love for dress, and at this period of her life she considered any pains taken over clothes a sheer waste of time.