"Really, Mr. James, I wish you had come a minute sooner, to hear Alice's confessions."
"What has she confessed?" said James.
"Why, that she is handsomer and better than most folks."
"That's nothing to be ashamed of," said James.
"O, that's not all; she wants to look pretty, and loves to be admired, and all——"
"It sounds very much like her," said James, looking at Alice.
"O, but, besides that," said the lady, "she has been preaching a discourse in justification of vanity and self-love——"
"And next time you shall take notes when I preach," said Alice, "for I don't think your memory is remarkably happy."
"You see, James," said the lady, "that Alice makes it a point to say exactly the truth when she speaks at all, and I've been puzzling her with questions. I really wish you would ask her some, and see what she will say. But, mercy! there is Uncle C. come to take me to ride. I must run." And off flew the little humming bird, leaving James and Alice tête-à-tête.
"There really is one question——" said James, clearing his voice.