"You shall be the first to know when I have decided," said Barbara. She liked Fanny despite her shallow nature, and Fanny was "awfully fond" of Barbara, and talked less about her to others than she did about anybody else.
"There's no use talking," said Fanny when she saw that Barbara could not be teased into describing the costume she was to wear, "some of the ladies are simply fearful in their parts, and I'm afraid that they will be laughed at when they appear in public."
"No doubt," replied Barbara, "if, by 'in public,' you mean before the residents of Manville."
"Yes, of course that's what I mean," Fanny continued. "Everybody will be there. The club and what it is doing has caused more talk than anything that has happened since the Declaration of Independence. And since Mrs. Flint and Mrs. Walton have resigned, and everybody knows that Mr. Flint is dreadfully set against the club and its theatricals, the Morning Glories have had a boom."
"Some one certainly has advertised us," said Barbara, much amused. Will had told her of the domestic scene at the parsonage.
"I suppose," continued Fanny, "that you knew all about Mrs. Flint's resigning before any of the rest of us." Barbara's face betrayed her. "Aren't you mean," Fanny went on, "not to tell."
"You little goose," replied Barbara, "what would you think of me if I ran and told everything that I knew about the minister's family—supposing that I ever did know anything about their affairs." Fanny did not think it mean for some folks to run and tell, but she would have been surprised if Barbara had done so.
"You might tell me," she pouted.
Barbara put her arm about Fanny, girl-fashion, and kissed her.