"Well, he is as dear as they," said Nancy.
"Oh, yes," said Dorothy, "and dearer."
And when the horses and the pony had been led around to the stable, and the older members of the party had reached the piazza, Dorothy and Nancy, who had paused for a moment to talk, ran up the steps, intending to sit together in a large rocker.
Before they reached the chair, Floretta flew toward them.
"You had a funny caller while you were out driving," she said, with a giggle, "and she was so very fashionable that she left these cards. She told me to tell you that Miss Corryville had called."
"It was Arabella," said Nancy.
"Did she truly say 'Miss?'" Dorothy asked.
"Well, didn't I say so?" Floretta asked rudely; "and I told her to tell her Aunt Matilda that she talked with Miss Paxton, and she said she would. She waited a long time for you to come home, because she said she meant to stay to dinner with you. Say! She had on a calico dress! Wouldn't she have looked gay?"
"It isn't very kind to laugh at any one's clothes," said Dorothy, "and it's not very nice to laugh at other people's friends."
"Pooh!" cried Floretta, "I shall laugh at whoever I please," and she turned and ran up to her room.