"Whisper," he said in her ear. "There are stables at the back of the
house; they are old, worn-out stables. There is a loft over one, and I
keep apples and nuts there. It's the jolliest place. Will you and I go
there for an hour or two after supper?"

"Do you mean it?" said Kathleen, her eyes filling with laughter, and the
tears still wet on her cheeks.

"Yes, colleen, I mean it, for I want you to tell me all you can about
your land of the shamrock."

"Why, then, that I will," she replied. "Wisha, then, David, it's a broth
of a boy, you are!" and she kissed him on his forehead. David took her
hand and led her into the dining-room. Alice was still there, looking
more stormy than ever.

"It's too late now," she said; "the girls have come and gone. I can't go
at all now."

"But why, darling?" said Kathleen. "Oh! I wish I had let you in.--She
must go, David, the poor dear. It would be cruel to disappoint
her.--What dress will you wear?" said Kathleen.

"Let me alone," said Alice.

She rushed upstairs, but Kathleen was even quicker.

"I'm not going to be nasty to you any more," she said. "I have found a
friend, and I shall have more friends to-morrow. Kathleen O'Hara would
have died long ago but for her friends. I shall be happy when I have got