"Thank you," said Ben, who could be very sulky when he liked. "Then I
will take my objectionable presence out of your sight. I have got my
lessons to do."

Kathleen raised her brows and gave a slow smile. Ben got as far as the
door.

"Benny," she said then in a most seductive whisper.

He turned.

"I am so glad you are in."

"I should not have thought so."

"But I am. It is awfully lonely for a girl like me, who has got dozens
of cousins at home, and uncles and aunts and all the rest of the goodly
fry, to be stranded. I like David. I am quite smitten with David; and I
like you, too. You can be a _great_ friend of mine."

"Oh, I don't mind," said Ben.

He thought it would be very good fun to tell the other fellows about
the charming Irish girl who liked him so much.

"I wonder if you'd help me, Ben."

"What can I do?" asked Ben.