"You are a faithless monster!" Gwen declared to Miss Fuller one day when the two met on the rocks.
Ethel laughed. "'Wha' fo', son Riley-Rabbit-Riley? Wha' fo'?'" she asked.
"Who steals my purse steals trash—
But she who filches from me my good man
Robs me of that which while enriching her
Will make me poor indeed,"
paraphrased Gwen. "Have I not been looking for a millionaire all my life, and now that I have found him, do you suppose that I am going to allow the first girl who comes along, to swoop down and bear him off in her talons? A girl who doesn't need him either?"
"I never saw a girl yet who didn't need a millionaire," replied Ethel saucily, "but all the same they don't agree with every girl. I am thinking of your development, my dear. As a true friend I am fearing the effect of riches upon your beautiful character."
"Bosh!" cried Gwen. "You are thinking of Ethel Fuller; that's the person you're thinking of. I don't receive the consideration you would give a fly. And how about your character, pray? Do you keep your hands from picking and stealing, and isn't it as bad to rob me of Cephas as of anything else?"
"I don't do it with my hands," returned Ethel in mock protest.