"I believe we have," said Gwin in some astonishment, and a haughty note
coming into her voice.

"Ah, now, don't begin to be proud and stiff!" exclaimed Kitty. "It is
quite wonderful; every one I speak to here seems to take me the wrong
way. What in the world do you all mean? I thought when I came to England
that people would say, 'Well, now, that's a remarkably pretty girl. I am
sure she's Irish by the twinkle in her eye and the roll of the brogue in
her voice; but we'll like her all the better for that.' But, bless my
heart! that's not the way you're taking me. Every time I open my lips
somebody seems to think I have said something wrong. Upon my word it's a
nice state of things, and I, the darling of my old father. If Aunt
Honora and Aunt Bridget were here they would soon put matters straight;
and Laurie, dear, darling, old Laurie, if he saw his Kitty put upon,
wouldn't he give it to you all?"

"We none of us want to put upon you, Miss Malone," said Gwin Harley.

"_Miss_ Malone!"

"Yes," said Gwin firmly, "it is the custom here to call girls by their
surnames for a little until we get to know them; but I am sure," she
added kindly, "you will soon be Kitty with us all, for I see you are
very nice, although you have not quite our ways."

"Ah, there, that is all I want you to say," answered Kitty with a
profound sigh, "and now I'll go upstairs and slip off my bits of boots,
for they are a trifle tight. Can you lend me a pair of your shoes, Miss
Harley?"