“I wish I could give you all a blouse apiece,” she said to the other girls of the society, “but I am afraid that is not within my means.  I chose these sweet blouses on purpose, because I know you could wear them at any time, girls,” she added, turning to the members of her Cabinet.  “Outsiders won’t know.  They will wonder at the beauty of your dress, but they won’t know what it means; but we will know,” she shouted aloud to her companions—­“we will know that these girls belong to us and to old Ireland, and in particular to me, and they will be faithful to me as their queen.”

“Oh dear,” said little Alice Harding, a pale-faced girl, who loved fine dress and never could aspire to it, “what means can I take to become a member of the Cabinet?”

“By being a very good outside member, and trusting to your luck,” laughed Kathleen.  “But the time is passing, and we must proceed to what little business is left for to-night.”

Each member of the Cabinet took possession of her own blouse, wrapped it up tenderly, and tucked it under her arm.  Kathleen desired some one to throw the tell-tale box away, and then she collected her followers round her.

“Now,” she said, "Rule One.  To stick through thick and thin each to the other.”

“Yes!” cried every voice.

"Rule Two. If possible, never to quarrel each with the other.”

This rule also was received with acclamations.

"Rule Three. To have a bit of fun all to ourselves at least once a week.”

This rule quite “brought down the house.”  They shouted so loud that if the spot had been less lonely some one would certainly have taken cognizance of their proceedings.

"Rule Four. That as far as possible we hold ourselves aloof from the paying members of the Great Shirley School.”

This rule was not quite as enthusiastically received.  The foundationers were not altogether without friends amongst the other girls of the school.  Ruth Craven in particular had several.

“I don’t think that is a very fair rule,” she said.  “I am fond of Alice Tennant, and I am fond of Cassandra Weldon.”

“And I care for Lucy Sharp”; “And I am devoted to Amelia Dawson,” said other members of the Cabinet.

Nevertheless Kathleen was firm.

“The rule must be held,” she said.  “In a society like ours there are always rules which are not quite agreeable to every one.  My principal object in starting this society is to put those horrid paying girls in their proper places.  There must not be friendship—­not real friendship, I mean—­between us and them.”

“You are a paying girl yourself,” suddenly exclaimed Mary Rand.

“I know.  I wish I were not, but I can’t help myself.  You must allow me to stand alone; I am your queen.”

“That you are, and I love you,” said Mary.

“This rule must hold good,” repeated Kathleen.  “I must insist on my society adhering to it.—­Ruth Craven, why are you silent?”