"You tell! That would be mean of you." "Yes. I'll tell that you broke your parole." "But I never gave it." "Oh, that is only begging the question, Kitty. Miss Sherrard understood that you had given it. When you came here you broke it. You'll get into a terrible scrape." "And you spoke to me, Elma; so you too will get into a scrape." Kitty's tears stopped like summer rain, and a flash of sunshine flew across her charming face. "Poor Elma, you will be in hot water too," she said. "What a muddle everything is in." "You see, Kitty, we must cling together, for we are both in the same boat. I'll do my utmost to get you that money. I am sure I can manage somehow. But you must not tell." "All right. I'll keep the secret until after school to-morrow. Good-by, Elma." She left the house, and Elma returned to Carrie. "Who were you talking to all that time?" exclaimed Carrie. "That unfortunate girl, Kitty Malone." "You mean to say she was here?" "Yes; she came about the money. I am miserable about it. I promised to get it for her by hook or by crook. How can I manage?" "Look here," said Carrie after a pause, during which she was sitting up in bed and thinking intently. "You say that Kitty Malone is very rich?" "Yes, of course she is. She has more money than she knows what to do with. Why, I tell you, Carrie, the day she lent me those eight sovereigns I saw fifteen in her purse. Fancy a girl having fifteen sovereigns just to do what she liked with? I could scarcely realize it. I took the money before I knew what I was doing. She did tempt me so sorely when she showed me her purse." "Oh, I'm not a bit surprised," said Carrie. "If I had been in your shoes I'd have taken the whole fifteen sovereigns just as soon as the eight. But listen to me, Elma; I have a plan in my head. I'll talk it over with Sam to-morrow; perhaps we can get the money; but there's no saying. I'll talk it over with Sam." "I wish you would not. I would rather not get it through his means." "What a dislike you have to him." "I have. He is not good enough for you, Carrie. Oh, Carrie, dear, I vow and declare that I'll work for you and mother; I'll work my very fingers to the bone; I'll do anything for you. Only don't marry that horrid fellow." "How excitable you are, Elma, and queer. Sam suits me very well. Oh, if you don't want his help you need not have it--remember it is your scrape, not mine." "It is your scrape, too, Carrie. You stole the money and gave it to Sam Raynes. You are a thief, and you have ruined your sister." "If you begin abusing me I shall certainly not stay awake any longer," said Carrie; "I'm dead with sleep as it is. Now, do put out the candle, like a good girl. I'm off to the Land of Nod." Carrie pulled the clothes over her head and struggled down among the pillows. Elma stood and stared out of the window.