The moment Kathleen and Ben were alone, Ben rushed up to her side and
began to whisper.

"It is all as right as possible," he said. "I am going up to bed as
usual, and when mother and Alice and Dave are safe in their rooms I'll
slip down again. I'll be in the hall. Don't ring when you come back;
just walk up the steps and scratch against the door with your knuckles,
and I'll hear you and let you in in a trice. I am awfully pleased about
that sovereign; it will make me one of the greatest toffs in the school.
I'll have more money than any of the other fellows. I'm so excited I can
scarcely think of anything else. I know I'm doing wrong, but you did
offer me such a tremendous temptation. Now I hear Alice's step. It will
be all right, Kathleen; don't you fear."

Kathleen smiled to herself. The rest of her programme was carried out to
a nicety. At a quarter to nine she complained of fatigue, bade Mrs.
Tennant an affectionate good-night, nodded to Alice, and left the room.

"Be sure you don't lock the door," called Alice after her. "I sha'n't be
up for quite an hour, and you will be sound asleep by that time."

"I won't lock it," replied Kathleen gently.

When Kathleen had gone upstairs, Mrs. Tennant turned and spoke to her
daughter.

"You know, Alice," she said, "the child is very lovable and
kind-hearted--a little barbarian in some senses of the word, but a fine
nature--of that I am certain."