"What's the matter with you?" he inquired, crossly. "I should think that you ought to be satisfied, seeing that everything has come your way, Clarry."
"Do you think that it is a pleasure for me to take your burdens upon my shoulders?" asked Clarice, fiercely. "I would much rather that Uncle Henry had named Dr. Jerce as your guardian, seeing that Dr. Jerce knows so much about you."
Ferdy started to his feet, changing colour like a chameleon. "What has Jerce been saying about me?" he demanded, with a sick look.
"Nothing. He did not even mention your name."
"Then what are you jawing about?" snapped Ferdy, sitting down again.
Clarice placed herself before him, and tried to make him meet her eyes. But he would not, and kept them on the carpet, shuffling his feet uneasily meanwhile. "Dr. Jerce asked me to marry him," she said, in a clear voice. "I refused him. He has accepted my refusal so calmly that I am certain he intends mischief."
"What rot," said Ferdy, uneasily; "as though a great man like Jerce would bother his head over you."
"Oh," said Clarice, with a chill smile. "Perhaps it is King Cophetua and the Beggar-maid."
"Bosh!"
"You are not polite, Ferdy," said his sister, restraining a strong impulse to box his ears. "Now, you listen to me. But that you are my brother and my twin, I should let you go your own way to ruin and destruction."