“What sort of girls are they? Herbert calls them ‘awfully jolly.’”
“I’m sorry to say I never can think of any other epithet for them. For once it is really descriptive.”
“Is it either of them in particular?”
“Confess, Joan, that’s what brought you over.”
“Perhaps so. Edith heard some nonsense at Backsworth, and mamma could not rest till she had sent me over to see about it; but would there be any great harm in it if it were true? Is not Lady Susan a super-excellent woman?”
“You’ve hit it again, Jenny. Couple the two descriptions.”
“I gather that you don’t think the danger great.”
“Not at present. The fascination is dual, and is at least a counteraction to the great enchantress.”
“That is well! It was not wholesome!”
“Whereas, these two are hearty, honest, well-principled girls, quite genuine.”