"There now, Elise, don't talk like that! It doesn't sound pretty,—and goodness knows you've no reason to be jealous."
"What?" asked Elise, already mollified.
"Why, you, with your established place in this household, and in our set,—mustn't stoop to be—jealous—of a little schoolgirl!"
"Oh, I'm not! How dare you hint it?"
"Then don't act so. Take my advice, Lisa, and don't show even the appearance of that sort of thing. It reacts,—you know."
Elise did know,—she knew Chick was telling her the truth, and telling it, too, only in the kindest spirit of real friendship.
She bit her lip in annoyance, and said, sharply, "Don't abuse the privilege of an old friend, Chick."
"I don't mean to,—honest I don't, Elise. Forgive me if I've offended you."
"Oh, you haven't. That's all right. Have you ever met this Gale girl before?"
"No; but she sat next me at dinner, and she told me about herself. It seems she has a wonderful brother—"