"But--but," said Mrs. Tennant, "what will Alice say?"

"Maria and I don't care twopence what Alice says. This is my tea, and
Maria fetched it. Now then, dear tired one, eat and rest."

Mrs. Tennant looked at Kathleen with loving eyes.

"Did you buy these things?" she said.

"That she did, ma'am," cried Maria. "I never did see a more thoughtful
young lady."

"My dear child," said Mrs. Tennant, "you are too good."

Kathleen laughed.

"If there is one thing I am, it is not that," she said. "I am not a bit
good. I am as wild and naughty and----Oh, but don't let us talk about
me. I am so hungry. You know I didn't much like your dinner to-day. I am
not fond of those watery stews. Of course, I can eat anything, but I
don't specially like them; so if you don't mind I will have a sausage,
too, and a plateful of shrimps afterwards, and some sardines. And isn't
this water-cress nice? The leaves are not quite so brown as I should
like. Oh, we did have such lovely water-cress in the stream at home!
Mrs. Tennant, you must come back with me to Carrigrohane some day, and
then you will have a real rest."

Mrs. Tennant, feeling very much like a naughty child herself, enjoyed
her tea. She and Kathleen laughed over the shrimps, exclaimed at the fun
of eating the water-cress, enjoyed the sausages, and each drank four