"I was home, you know, at Horner's Corners—"
A knock on the door was a most unwelcome interruption.
"Don't answer," Patty whispered, "it's Elise,—I heard her step."
But Elise was not so easily rebuffed. "Let me in," she called, "I know you're in there, Azalea,—you and Patty."
Patty went to the door, and opened it slightly. "Go away now, Elise, please," she said, "Azalea and I are having a little confidential chat."
"Not so confidential that I can't be in it too, is it?" and speaking lightly, Elise brushed past Patty and into the room.
"Why, Azalea," she exclaimed, "what is the matter? You look like a tragedy queen!"
For Azalea, annoyed at the intrusion, stood, hands clenched, and eyes scowling, and she said angrily, "I don't think people ought to come into other people's rooms, uninvited! I don't call that good manners!"
"You're not supposed to know what good manners are," said Elise, giving her a condescending look. "And even if you think you do,—don't try to teach me!"
"Oh, Elise," said Patty, reproachfully, "don't talk like that! It reflects on you even more than on Zaly."