But the girls looked at her as if they doubted her word. It seemed so unlike Minnie to be ungrateful or neglectful of any one, they hardly knew what to make of it. At length Fanny remarked,—
"I never saw any thing hateful in Minnie."
"And I think Minnie is a very lovely girl," added Rhoda.
"So do I," exclaimed Jeannie. "And if she didn't ask you to her house after swinging in your arbor, it was for some good reason, I know, Miss Lillia."
These words were, like coals of fire in Lillia's heart. They really gave her great pain, and she looked fierce with anger; but keeping down some of her passion, she said, as calmly as she could speak,—
"You don't know Minnie as well as I do. She is deceitful."
"Minnie Brown deceitful! It can't be!" exclaimed Rhoda.
"Yes, she is one of those smooth sort of folks, who say one thing to your face and another behind your back," replied Lillia.
"I don't believe that," said Fanny.