“Nothing that need concern you,” snapped back Persis.
“Well, you needn’t take my head off on account of my sisterly solicitude,” replied Lisa. “It is something about your precious Annis, I have no doubt.” And she returned to her embroidery.
Lisa had long since condescendingly accepted Annis, but she could not refrain from little flings at Persis’s devotion to her new cousin, knowing it was the surest way to nettle her. Therefore this last remark did not add to Persis’s peace of mind, and she was about to pass through grandma’s room to her “snuggery” with scarcely a word to the dear old lady.
Grandma, however, was used to the uncertain moods of youth, and, seeing the irritated look upon Persis’s face, she called her over to the window to look at a favorite plant just ready to blossom. “See, Persis, four more buds, I didn’t discover them till this morning.” Persis could not refuse the invitation, but it was accepted with rather a dour face.
“Where is my girl’s sunshine?” asked grandma, pleasantly.
“Oh, I’m disgusted—just disgusted!”
“With what?”
“Oh, I don’t know—people, girls; they are so hateful!”
Grandma laughed. “Is Persis Holmes upon the list?”
Persis had to smile. “No doubt I am hateful sometimes. Grandma, what are you to do with yourself when you feel jealous and all stirred up over a trifle?”