"Oh, my!" said Susy Hopkins. "That does sound romantic."

Her momentary dislike to Kathleen had vanished. The desire to go to the
town on a message for her mother had completely left her. She stood
still, as though fascinated.

"I live there," said Kathleen--"that is, I do when I am at home. I come
from the land of the mountain and the stream; of the shamrock; of the
deep, deep blue sea."

"Ireland? Are you Irish?" said the girl.

"I am proud to say that I am."

"We don't think anything of the Irish here."

"Oh, don't you?"

"But don't be angry, please," continued Susy, "for I am sure you are
very nice."

"I am nice when I like. To-day I am nasty. I am wicked to-day--quite
wicked; I could hate any one who opposes me. I want some one to help me;
if some one will help me, I will be nice to that person. Will you?"

"Oh, my word, yes! How handsome you look when you flash your eyes!"
said Susy Hopkins.

"Then I want to find that dear little girl, who is so beautiful that I