“That’s just what I don’t know. I bought the ring for Roger and the paper cutter for Kenneth Harper; he’s coming to-night. But I’d like to change them about and give the ring to Ken, and the paper knife to Roger. Would you?”
“No, I wouldn’t,” said Patty, bluntly. “Why do you want to do such a thing?”
“The ring is much the handsomer gift,” said Elise, who had turned a trifle pink.
“Of course it is,” said Patty, “and that’s why you should give it to your brother. It’s too personal a gift to give to a boy friend.”
“That’s what I was afraid of,” said Elise, with a little sigh. “But Roger won’t care for it at all, and Kenneth would like it heaps.”
“Because you gave it to him?” asked Patty, quickly.
“Oh, I don’t know. Yes, perhaps so.”
“Nonsense, Elise! You’re too young to give rings to young men.”
“Ken isn’t a young man, he’s only a boy.”
“Well, he’s over twenty-one; and anyway, I know it wouldn’t be right for you to give him a ring. Your mother wouldn’t like it at all.”