"It is a great distinction," continued Elma; "a new girl like you, one who is not known a bit in the school! Out of the whole school we have only selected ten, including the founders, and you are one. You ought to think yourself in rare luck." "So I do." "And you ought to be very grateful." "So I am." "But do you know whom you ought to be grateful to?" "Well, I suppose to Bessie." "Not a bit of it; it is to me you ought to be grateful. But for me you would not be a member of the Tug-of-war Society." "But for you, Elma?" "No." "Was it you who got me asked to join?" "I was the one who insisted on your being asked to join us. I put it plainly to Bessie and to Gwin, and they quite agreed with me. Alice was the only one who voted against you." "Oh, just like her, spiteful thing!" said Kitty, coloring with annoyance. "Well, I am sure, Elma, I am obliged to you, and if there's anything I can do--" "I am coming to that," said Elma; "it's not much, but if you could--" "Could what? Why, I'll do anything. Is it one of my gowns you want to borrow?" "No, no. What extraordinary ideas you hare!" "Oh, there you begin again," said Kitty. "I never can speak right. Well, what can I do for you, Elma?" "If you could--just until next Monday--if you could lend me some--some money," said Elma, coloring as she spoke, her voice faltering, and her eyes seeking the ground. CHAPTER VIII. THE LITTLE HOUSE IN CONSTANTINE ROAD. Kitty stared at her companion for a moment, then she put her hand into her pocket and took out a very fat sealskin purse. She opened it and held it out to Elma. "Help yourself," she said. Elma looked into the purse--golden sovereigns lay there in delicious rows. There must have been at least fifteen sovereigns in the purse. "Take as many as you like," said Kitty; "you are heartily welcome." "You don't mean it; you can't," replied Elma, turning very pale. "Why, what are you hesitating about? You said you wanted some money. Dear heart alive! everybody wants money in Ireland, we are always borrowing one from the other. Take as many of those yellow boys as you fancy, and say no more about it." "I am obliged to you, Kitty," said Elma. "I think you are quite splendid; but can I--do you really mean it--can I take five?" "Five, bless you! Take them all if you want them. I have only to write to the dear old man at home, and ask him to send me a fiver or a tenner, and he'll do it. You need have no qualms, and----" "But when must I give them back?" "Whenever you like." "You don't really require them on Monday, do you?" "I don't require them at any special date. Pay me when it is convenient. Here, you may as well have ten." "I could not; it is too much," said Elma. She put her hands behind her back, her teeth were chattering, and she was trembling all over. She was afraid that Kitty must read her through and through.