"I'd rather not discuss him," replied the latter.
"Why not? Is he such a friend of yours that you will say nothing against him? Surely you can give no excuse for his acting as he did tonight."
"Well, you are partially right."
"In what way?"
"So far as this—that I dislike to speak against any one."
"I thought it could not be you were so friendly that you wished to shield him."
"No, for he is very unfriendly towards me. Didn't you notice that when he asked you to waltz with him?"
"Yes, but you did not hear his remark about you, I hope."
"Oh, yes, I heard it—he probably wanted me to hear it—but I could not notice it there."
"It was hateful and mean in him," replied Nellie sympathetically; "and he was as rude as he could be all the evening."