"I mean," said Alice, who had now almost lost control over her temper, "that if you go on as you have done since you came here, we shall none of us like you, and I for one shall be delighted when you return to Ireland." As Alice spoke Kitty's charming face suddenly lost its brilliant color; it became white, and her dark eyes flashed with an angry fire. She stood perfectly still for a moment, then began to walk on a little faster than before. "You have hurt her, Alice," said Bessie; "you should not have said that." "I don't care; she made me do it; she is intolerable." "Still, you had no right to speak as you did; remember she is a stranger." Here Bessie ran after Kitty, and tried to slip her hand through her arm; but the Irish girl made an impatient movement, and, shrugging her shoulders, walked on quicker than before. "Oh, leave her alone," whispered Alice; "let us talk about things that interest us. Why should all lives be upset by her? There, she is going on in front; let us fall back and talk about interesting things. Have you finished your work yet?" "Oh, yes; I had a great deal to do this afternoon. I do hope, Alice, that Gwin won't mind if I ask her to let me go into the library. I must take a peep into 'Household Encyclopaedia;' it is such a chance." "Oh, I am sure she won't mind," replied Alice. "Gwin is the soul of good nature. I only dread what she will think." "Oh, you need not dread anything," said Kitty, suddenly turning round and coming back to the girls. "I shan't be here long; don't be afraid." "Please, Kitty," said Bessie; "don't mind what Alice said just now, she was vexed, because we are not quite accustomed to manners like yours. You will soon get into our ways, you know." "Never, never!" cried Kitty. "Well, at any rate, don't mind about it now. Do you think you will like your school life?" "No; I shall just hate it." "What a pity that will be; but I'm sure you don't know what you are saying. You are vexed with Alice, and I don't wonder--Alice, you were very hard on her." "Oh, never mind," answered Kitty; "don't ask her to apologize. I can go home again. I don't want to be with people who have made up their minds to dislike me. All the folks at home love me, and--" Here tears dropped from her eyes, splashing down her cheeks in bright round pearls. "I didn't mean to vex you," said Alice, who was disconcerted at this evident grief. "I dare say I shall get accustomed to you after a bit. I mean I do not really want you to go home." Kitty's face underwent a change, rapid as a flash of lightning. "If you want to make friends, Alice, it's as right as rain," she cried. "I know I was vexed, but it is over now; yes it is over. I am willing to be friends if you are willing." "Of course," said Alice; "and I know I ought not to have spoken as I did; but you do manage to fret me dreadfully. I never saw a girl exactly like you before."