Kathleen made a grimace. Her grimace was so comical that all the small
girls in the class burst out laughing. She was silent.

"Speak, dear," said Miss Dove in a persuasive tone.

"Yes, darling, I'm trying to."

"You mustn't use affectionate words in school."

"Oh, my heart! How am I to bear it?" said Kathleen, and she clasped a
white hand over that organ.

Miss Dove paused for a moment, and then decided that she would let the
question in dispute go by for the present. She began to question
Kathleen as to her acquirements, and found that she must leave her with
the younger children for the time being. She then went on to attend to
other duties.

Kathleen sat bolt-upright in the centre of the class. It seemed absurd
to see this tall, well-grown girl surrounded by tiny tots. One of the
tiny tots looked towards her. Presently she thrust out a moist little
hand, and out of the moisture produced a half-melted peppermint drop.
Just for a second Kathleen's bright eyes fell upon the sweetmeat with
disgust; then she took it up gingerly and popped it into her mouth.

"It's golloptious," she said, turning to the child, and then she drummed
her fingers once more on the edge of the desk. Presently she stooped
down and whispered to this small girl:

"I hate school; don't you?"