"It is not a very nice thing to say," answered her mother gravely;
"so there is no occasion to learn it."
Kate did take the hint this time, and coloured up to the ears, partly
with vexation, partly with shame. She sat silent and confused for
several minutes, till her friends took pity on her, and a few good-
natured words about her choice of an ice quite restored her
liveliness. It is well to be good-humoured; but it is unlucky, nay,
wrong, when a check from friends without authority to scold, does not
suffice to bring soberness instead of rattling giddiness. Lady de la
Poer was absolutely glad to break up the dinner, so as to work off
the folly and excitement by moving about, before it should make the
little girl expose herself, or infect Adelaide.
They intended to have gone into the gardens till four o'clock, when
the fountains were to play; but as they moved towards the great door,
they perceived a dark heavy cloud was hiding the sun that had
hitherto shone so dazzlingly through the crystal walls.
"That is nice," said Lady Fanny; "it will be cool and pleasant now
before the rain."
"If the rain is not imminent," began her father.
"Oh! is it going to be a thunder-storm?" cried Kate. "Oh dear! I do
so hate thunder! What shall I do?" cried she; all her excitement
turning into terror.
Before anyone could answer her, there was a flash of bright white
light before all their eyes, and a little scream.
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