“Ouch! That would be horrid,” and the girl shuddered.
“But you want to be beautiful!”
“Oh, I am afraid that wouldn’t make me beautiful, and when I am quite grown up I shall have lovely clothes, and it doesn’t so much matter when you are rich.”
Lilian glanced at her with a sort of pity that any girl could be so silly, and a sense of disgust, also.
“Miss Nevins, I must say one thing that I want you to observe for the future. You must not make me costly gifts nor any kind of gifts. The help I am giving you Mrs. Barrington wishes me to give to any girl who needs it. It is simply my duty, you see, and Mrs. Barrington repays me.”
Miss Nevins looked as if she could not understand. Then she struck a rather tragic pose.
“Oh, if you would only love me!” she cried, clasping her hands together. “I am so lonely! I miss mamma every hour. Then I think I could learn to like it here, and I’d try to study. I’d give up cream soda and—yes, I would take the bath, but it must be warm.”
“Oh, you foolish thing!” Lilian laughed in spite of herself. “There, I cannot stay here talking, and you must go to your lessons.”
“No, I’ll get some other girl and go down town. You are cold and cruel.”
She was rather sullen all the evening and failed in some recitations the next day. After that she studied with a better grace.