"But you are not expecting me to go out in the open air without a body!" said Kitty, "and there's nothing but a skirt to this. I suppose I may wear one of my pretty blouses?" "Yes; that skirt and a nice blouse will do. Now then, get ready, both of you, as quickly as you can. Kitty, remember I expect your things to be put away tidily." "To be sure, ma'am. Why, then, it would be a shame to spoil all these pretty garments. I'll put them away in a jiffy, and come down looking as neat as a new pin." Alice, who had brushed out her hair, put on a clean collar and a pair of cuffs, was now standing waiting for her friend. "Look here," she said suddenly, "will you be long putting away your things and dressing?" "Not very long, darling; but I must curl my fringe over again." "I wish you wouldn't wear a fringe, Kitty; none of the nice girls do at the school." "Is it give up my fringe I would?" answered Kitty. "What a show I'd be! Why, look at my forehead, it's too high for the lines of pure beauty. Now, when the fringe comes down just to here, why, it's perfect. Aunt Bridget said it was, and she's a rare judge, I can tell you. She was a beauty in her youth, one of the Dublin beauties; and you can't go to any city for fairer women than are to be found in Dublin. I tell you what it is, Alice, I see you are in a flurry to be off. Can I overtake you?" "You can," said Alice suddenly. "You can come to me at Bessie Challoner's house." "Bessie Challoner!--what a pretty name!--Challoner! I like that!" answered Kitty, looking thoughtful. "And where's her house, aroon? What part of the neighborhood is it situated in?" "Come here to the window and I'll show you. When you leave this house you turn to the right and walk straight on until you come to Cherry Lodge--that's the name of the house. Bessie and I will be waiting for you." "Well, then, off you go, and I won't keep you many minutes." Alice ran out of the room. She found her mother waiting for her downstairs. "Oh, mother," said Alice, "she's too dreadful." "Come now, no whispering about me behind my back," called a gay voice over the stairs. "I thought it would be something of that sort. That's not fair--out with your remarks in front of me, and nothing behind." "Kitty, Kitty, go back and dress, you incorrigible child!" called Mrs. Denvers. "Mother!" said Alice. "My dear Alice," said her mother, "you will soon learn to like that poor child. She has a great deal that is good in her, and then she is so pretty." "Pretty?" muttered Alice. "Oh, I see you're bewitched like the rest of them." She left the house, feeling more uncomfortable, depressed, and angry than she had done for several years.