"How sweetly Doodles sang!" said Miss Sterling.
"Yes," agreed Polly dispiritedly.
"And you are a charming accompanist."
"Oh! now, who's silly?"
"Nobody." Miss Sterling drew her hand from her stocking.
"It doesn't seem to me that I play well at all—I long to do so much better."
"It is a rare gift to be a good accompanist, and you surely possess it."
"Thank you—you're not saying that to counterbalance what you said about—?"
"No, I'm not! When I say a thing I mean it."
"Perhaps some other folks do. Oh, Miss Nita! I couldn't help hearing what Mr. Randolph said when he bade you good-bye—I was so near!"