"Looking over Stella's treasures, I expect," David replied. "What a vain little thing she is! She cannot bear to be untidy!"
"Who?—Stella? Yes."
"What a wax she was in with you, George, last night, when you pulled the ribbon out of her hair," David continued. "To be sure, she did not say much, but did you notice how her eyes flashed? I thought she was going to box your ears!"
"Not likely, she wouldn't attempt that! She's too big a coward. Oh, what a coward she is!"
"Rather! She hasn't an ounce of pluck! How she shrieked when the cat let the mouse go in the dining-room! One would have thought the house was on fire. A town mouse ought not to be afraid of a country mouse."
"And how white she went! Dora's not so easily frightened."
"No, nor Nellie either, and she's only six, and Stella's ten!"
"Mother says if Stella had had brothers and sisters of her own she would understand us better. You see, she's been brought up alone, and that makes a difference."
"I suppose so. Anyway, mother takes her part, and is very fond of her; and father says we are not to tease her. Isn't it nonsense? It does girls lots of good to tease them. Dora never minds; but then it's no fun teasing her!"
A short silence; then George glanced doubtfully at his brother, and said hesitatingly, "I say David, wouldn't it be fun to play a joke on Stella, eh?"