"Kitty, what do you mean?" "What I say. I have heaps of money; let us get back to Saltbury and enjoy ourselves, Elma. Why can't we take the next train? No one will prevent us; no one will guess where we are. We will have a nice time, a really nice time. Say 'Yes,' Elma, won't you?" "But would you really go with me?" "Why not? I am the wild Irish girl, and you are the naughty English girl; let us go off together." "Well, it does sound tempting," said Elma, her eyes sparkling. "Kitty, it is wonderful of you not to give me up." "Oh, I am not the sort of girl to give up a friend when she is in trouble. You have made it right for me, and the sun is shining again, and I am as happy as the day is long. Elma, you must come." "It does sound tempting--I wish my head did not ache so badly." "It will be better when you get to the seaside." "Perhaps so, and then I need not go to Middleton School." "You need never go there again. Oh, don't waste any more time over breakfast. We can eat when we get to Saltbury. I want to get off before Alice and Carrie or any of them begin to miss us. Let us go to the railway station; it is not far off." Kitty's eager and impetuous words earned the day, and in a quarter of an hour's time the girls found themselves speeding away to Saltbury. "We have indeed burned our boats now," said Kitty, with a laugh; "we have both run away. Now they have something really to scold us about; but never mind. I never felt, more jolly in my life." CHAPTER XXV. KITTY "GO-BRAGH" (FOREVER). But Kitty's happiness was very short-lived, for long before they got to Saltbury Elma was really so ill that she could not hold up her head. Kitty had never seen such severe illness before. She was not easily frightened; she had plenty of pluck when a real emergency arose, and she now determined to do her best for her companion. "It is all the worry and the misery she has undergone," thought Kitty to herself; "but now that my mind is at rest she will see what a good friend I can be to her." When they got to Saltbury she immediately ordered a cab, and desired the man to drive her to the nearest hotel. "Oh, Kitty!" gasped poor Elma, "they won't take us in, because we have no luggage, you know." "I'll manage it," said Kitty; "no luggage--what does that matter?" She followed Elma into the cab, and a few moments later the girls found themselves at the door of a neat little inn facing the sea. Kitty jumped out and went straight to the bar. "I want a nice, quiet bedroom," she said, "with two beds in it." "Certainly, miss," said the woman, glancing into Kitty's bright face. "It must be a very quiet room," continued Kitty, "for my companion is ill; she has a bad headache, and we must send for a doctor immediately." "Yes, miss. I'll send the porter out to bring in your luggage." "That's the annoying part," said Kitty; "we have no luggage." The woman looked dubious, and turned to glance at a man who approached.