KATE TAKES A HAND Undeniably Billy was in disgrace, and none knew it better than Billy herself.

The whole family had contributed to this knowledge.

Aunt Hannah was inexpressibly shocked; she had not breath even to ejaculate "My grief and conscience!" Kate was disgusted; Cyril was coldly reserved; Bertram was frankly angry; even William was vexed, and showed it.

Spunk, too, as if in league with the rest, took this opportunity to display one of his occasional fits of independence; and when Billy, longing for some sort of comfort, called him to her, he settled back on his tiny haunches and imperturbably winked and blinked his indifference.
Nearly all the family had had something to say to Billy on the matter, with not entirely satisfactory results, when Kate determined to see what she could do.

She chose a time when she could have the girl quite to herself with small likelihood of interruption.
"But, Billy, how could you do such an absurd thing ?" she demanded.