Part 38 (1/2)

The School Queens L T Meade 18410K 2022-07-20

”I don't think we need discuss characters,” said Maggie ”I don't know a great deal about the Irish, but I do know that Kitty is a darling”

”Yes, so she is--one of the sweetest girls in the whole school,” said Molly Tristraard to the party sche at Mrs Ward's private door Mrs

Ward said, ”Coreat dark-blue eyes and wild-rose complexion, entered abruptly

”Well, Kathleen?” said Mrs Ward in her pleasant tone

”Oh, please, Mrs Ward, I've come with such a lovely scheme”

”And you want me to help you?”

”Oh yes, please, do say you will before I let you into the secret!”

”I can't do that, dear; you must just tell me what is in yourthat I can assure you beforehand is that if it is a workable schereat pleasure, I will do my best to entertain it”

”Then we're certain to have it--certain,” said Kathleen

”It was I who thought of it You will forgive me if I speak out just as plainly as possible?”

”Of course, Kathleen dear”

”Well, you know you are the head-mistress”

”That is scarcely news to me, my child”

”And people, as a rule,” continued Kathleen, ”respect their head-mistress”

”Dear me,” said Mrs Ward with a smile, ”have you come here, Kathleen, to say that you don't respect me?”

”Respect you!” said Kathleen ”We do a jolly lot more than that We adore you! We love you! You're--you're a sort of--of mother to us”

”That is what I want to be,” said Mrs Ward with fervor, and she took the girl's hand and s you, and that's a fact,” said Kathleen

”You may kiss me now if you like, Kitty”

”Oh, Mrs Ward!” Kitty bent down and bestowed a reverent kiss on that sweet face

”I have permitted you to kiss me, Kitty,” said Mrs Ward, ”in order to show you that I syirls

But nohat is thethe 'leisure hours' to give a party”

”Is that all? Do you all want to give a party?”

”Our side wants to give a party, and ant to invite the other side to it”