She had thought she would get home first and be able to laugh at them and Mokus.
She herself had admitted as much.
Kitty's mind travelled back over that night search--the cold, the wet, the horror of it, her own exhaustion and Dan's; then she came back again suddenly to the present, and Aunt Pike's voice saying,-- "You know, Katherine, I have had to overlook more than one serious piece of ill-behaviour on your part since I have been here.

Of course I put down much to the lawless, careless way in which you grew up, but, at the same time, I must admit that, after that very unpleasant episode with Lettice Kitson, I have never felt really quite easy in allowing Anna to be much with you.

I could not avoid feeling that you were having anything but a good influence over her, and but for your poor father's sake--" Kitty's cheeks were white enough now, and her eyes were very wide and full of indignation as she met her aunt's stern gaze, but there was no fear or shame in them.

She opened her lips, but before a word escaped them she closed them again, hesitated, and then walked quickly away.
And the next thing she knew was that she was to be sent away, and when she heard it she thought her heart would break indeed.
Her father, though most reluctantly, had agreed to the plan, because he could see no prospect of peace or happiness for her at home.

He very often in those days sighed deeply from a heavy heart, for his home was very different from what he had hoped it would be.