"I don't believe you care a straw," said Tom, dismally; "you won't miss me."
"He wants to be flattered," cried Elsie.
"I am sure you will be missed, dear Mr. Fuller," said the widow; "you wrong your friends by a suspicion so cruel."
"I hope so, I'm sure," returned Tom, glancing at Elsie; but she was in one of her mischievous moods, and would not give him a gleam of consolation.
"Don't spoil him, Mary Harrington," said she; "the creature's vanity is becoming inordinate; isn't it, Bessie?"
"You can ill-treat him sufficiently without my assistance," said Mrs. Mellen, smiling; "I shall not help you, certainly."
"That is right, Bess," cried Tom; "stand by a fellow a little; she hasn't a spark of pity."
"Take care, sir!" said Elsie, lifting her embroidery scissors. "Don't try to win my natural allies over to your side by underhand persuasions."
"I am sure you don't need allies or assistance of any sort to be more than a match for a dozen men," said Tom.
"Another of my womanly prerogatives," replied Elsie.