“Do you remember when we quarrelled?”
Luiza could not remember.
“It was because I was jealous of Thereza, on account of your kissing her.”
They spoke of their school-fellows, their quarrels, their reconciliations, Juliana, meantime, taking note of all they said. Her perfidious smile, her flat face, and the metallic tic-tac of her heels gave them an uncomfortable feeling. When she left the room Luiza said to Leopoldina,—
“Take care what you say before her.”
“Ah, yes,” responded Leopoldina, smiling; “you are right; we must remember we are not alone.”
And when Juliana returned with the codfish she rewarded her by a torrent of praises.
“Bravo! Superb! Delicious!”
She touched the codfish with the point of her fork. It was fried a light brown, and fell apart in flakes.
“Now you shall see. You do not like this? You are the loser; it is delicious.”