CHAPTER IX.
A FAMILY CONCLAVE "Well, William," greeted Kate, grimly, when she came into the drawing-room, after putting her charge to bed, "have you had enough, now ?" "'Enough'! What do you mean ?" Kate raised her eyebrows.
"Why, surely, you're not thinking NOW that you can keep this girl here; are you ?" "I don't know why not." "William!" "Well, where shall she go?
Will you take her ?" "I?
Certainly not," declared Kate, with decision.

"I'm sure I see no reason why I should." "No more do I see why William should, either," cut in Cyril.
"Oh, come, what's the use," interposed Bertram.

"Let her stay.

She's a nice little thing, I'm sure." Cyril and Kate turned sharply.
"Bertram!" The cry was a duet of angry amazement.

Then Kate added: "It seems that you, too, have come under the sway of dark eyes, pink cheeks, and an unknown quantity of curly hair!" Bertram laughed.
"Oh, well, she would be nice to--er--paint," he murmured.
"See here, children," demurred William, a little sternly, "all this is wasting time.