our ways. Why did she leave her own country?"

Ruth was silent. She looked wistful.

"Come along, Ruthie; we will be late. I have no end of schemes in my
head. I mean to help you. You will win that scholarship."

Ruth smiled. Presently she and Cassandra were crossing the common
arm-in-arm. In the interest of their own conversation they forgot
Kathleen.

When that young lady left the house she ran back to the Tennants'.

"I will write to dad to-night and tell him that I can't stay," she
thought. "Oh, dear, my heart is in my mouth! I shall have a broken heart
if this sort of thing goes on."

She entered the house. There sat Mrs. Tennant with a great basket of
stockings before her. The remains of a rough-looking tea were on the
table. The boys had disappeared.

"Come in, Kathleen," called Mrs. Tennant, "and have your tea. I want
Maria to clear the tea-things away, as I have some cutting out to do; so
be quick, dear."

Kathleen entered. The untidy table did not trouble her in the least; she
was accustomed to things of that sort at home. She sat down, helped
herself to a thick slice of bread-and-butter, and ate it, while burning
thoughts filled her mind.