"Amicable?'
"What do you mean by that?"
"Friendly—affectionate—not quarrelsome."
"It was not exactly affectionate, as I told her I was displeased at her spoiling my gown."
"Ah. And what did she say?"
"That she would buy me another."
"Did that content you?"
"I wasn't discontented. I was annoyed at her unkind trick, and I told her so. That is all."
"Of course that is all," again interrupted Mr. Bowen. "I can answer for the cordial relationship between aunt and niece and I can vouch for the fact that these merry jests didn't really stir up dissension between these two estimable people. Why, only to-day, Mrs. Pell was dilating on the wonderful legacies she meant to bestow on Miss Clyde. She also referred to a jeweled chalice for my church, but I am sure these remarks were in no way prompted by any thought of immediate death. On the contrary, she was in gayer spirits than I have ever seen her."
"I think she was over-excited," said Mrs. Bowen, thoughtfully. "Don't you, Iris? She was giggling in an almost hysterical manner, it seemed to me."