"But what an odd-looking individual it was who sat on the other side of you! I took her to be your other sister, by her likeness to Miss Grant. Does she always dress in that very severe style?"
"Always," said Juliet, with some sharpness in her tone, for she thought her companion a little too free with her comments. "Salome thinks it is wrong to dress like other people. You know she is very religious, works amongst the poor, and all that sort of thing, so she dresses plainly on principle."
"Oh dear, I am glad I do not feel it my duty to make a guy of myself!" laughed Flossie. "However, as Algernon remarked, she makes an excellent foil to you. Do you know he walked to school with me this morning because he wanted to see you? It was tiresome of you to come late."
"Oh, indeed! I do not at all regret it," said Juliet, tossing her head.
"Now don't be high and mighty. What harm would Algernon do by looking at you? He says you are an inspiration to him."
"An inspiration! Really! I like that!" And Juliet laughed merrily.
"Ah, you may laugh, but it is true. He has begun to write a dramatic play, and you are the heroine."
"Flossie!"
"It's quite true. You are a lovely maiden shut up in a castle, guarded by an ogre, and he is the hero who comes and delivers you. He told me so, indeed. Of course he may have been making fun; but I know he is writing a play."
"Has he written any before?" asked Juliet.