"In my opinion, it is hardly earned," said Alice. "I suppose I must
stay down here and give up my supper. I can't go like this, all untidy,
and my hair so messy, and my collar--oh, mother, it is nearly black! It
is really too trying."

"I will go up and see if I can persuade her," said Mrs. Tennant.

She went upstairs, turned the handle of the door, and spoke. The moment
her voice penetrated to Kathleen's ears, she jumped to her feet, crossed
the room, and bent down at the other side of the keyhole.

"Don't tire your dear voice," she said. "What is it you want?"

"I want you to open the door, Kathleen. Poor Alice wants to get in to
get her clothes. It is her room as much as yours. Let her in at once, my
dear."

"I am very sorry, darling Mrs. Tennant, but I am privately engaged in my
own half of the room. I am not interfering with Alice's."

"But you see, Kathleen, she can't get to her half."

"The door is in my half, you know," said Kathleen very meekly, "so I
don't see that she has any cause to complain. I am awfully sorry; I will
be as quick as I can."

"You annoy me very much. You make me very uncomfortable by going on in
this extremely silly way, Kathleen."