‘I’m waiting to be entertained,’ she said, in a hurried voice, raising her eyes; then afraid of her own temerity, she looked down again. Gaston smiled a little at Kitty’s outspoken remark, but remembering Madame’s injunction he rather mischievously determined to carry out her desires to the letter. ‘It is a very nice day,’ he said, gravely. Kitty looked up and laughed merrily. ‘I don’t think that’s a very original remark,’ she said coolly, producing an apple from her pocket. ‘If that’s all you’ve got to say, I hope Madame won’t be long.’ Vandeloup laughed again at her petulance, and eyed her critically as she took a bit out of the red side of the apple with her white teeth. ‘You like apples?’ he asked, very much amused by her candour. ‘Pretty well,’ returned Miss Marchurst, eyeing the fruit in a disparaging manner; ‘peaches are nicer; are Madame’s peaches ripe?’ looking anxiously at him. ‘I think they are,’ rejoined Gaston, gravely. ‘Then we’ll have some for tea,’ decided Kitty, taking another bite out of her apple. ‘I’m going to stay to tea, you know,’ she went on in a conversational tone. ‘I always stay to tea when I’m on a visit here, and then Brown--that’s our man,’ in an explanatory manner, ‘comes and fetches me home.’ ‘Happy Brown!’ murmured Vandeloup, who really meant what he said. Kitty laughed, and blushed. ‘I’ve heard all about you,’ she said, coolly, nodding to him. ‘Nothing to my disadvantage, I hope,’ anxiously. ‘Oh dear, no: rather the other way,’ returned Miss Marchurst, gaily. ‘They said you were good-looking--and so you are, very good-looking.’ Gaston bowed and laughed, rather amused at the way she spoke, for he was used to being flattered by women, though hardly in the outspoken way of this country maiden. ‘She’s been strictly brought up,’ he muttered sarcastically, ‘I can see that. Eve before the fall in all her innocence.’ ‘I don’t like your eyes,’ said Miss Kitty, suddenly. ‘What’s the matter with them?’ with a quizzical glance. ‘They look wicked.’ ‘Ah, then they belie the soul within,’ returned Vandeloup, seriously. ‘I assure you, I’m a very good young man.’ Then I’m sure not to like you,’ said Kitty, gravely shaking her golden head. ‘Pa’s a minister, you know, and nothing but good young men come to our house; they’re all so horrid,’ viciously, ‘I hate ‘em.’ Vandeloup laughed so much at this that Kitty rose to her feet and looked offended. ‘I don’t know what you are laughing at,’ she said, throwing her half-eaten apple out of the door; ‘but I don’t believe you’re a good young man. You look awfully bad,’ seriously. ‘Really, I don’t think I ever saw anyone look so bad.’ ‘Suppose you undertake my reformation?’ suggested Vandeloup, eagerly. ‘Oh! I couldn’t; it wouldn’t be right; but,’ brightly, ‘pa will.’ ‘I don’t think I’ll trouble him,’ said Gaston, hastily, who by no means relished the idea. ‘I’m too far gone to be any good.’