“Perhaps,” said Sidney, “but Father will want me to get my certificate there, I think.”
To Mr. Thorne, when he joined them, Sidney again apologized prettily for not having told them of Shirley. “I am wondering how you happened to meet her, Father,” she said.
Mr. Thorne related the circumstances and seemed to be surprised at Sidney’s rather critical attitude, when she said that Shirley “might have known the difference in cars and chauffeurs.”
“It was merely a mistake, Sidney. You might almost as well say that Carl ought not to have mistaken her for you. I found Miss Harcourt a very charming young girl. She told me of her father when I inquired. He is abroad on some archæalogical expedition this year. I fancy that he is rather a big man in his line.”
Then Mr. Thorne changed the topic and Sidney was relieved to find that her parents did not pursue the subject of the resemblance.
Mr. Thorne’s explanation of a delay satisfied the waiting chauffeur, who drove home as rapidly as the traffic would permit after Shirley was safely deposited in the car. It had not been so long after all, since Shirley’s wait in the store had been shorter than she had expected. Nevertheless, she found that Hope had been uneasy.
“I believe that you are ‘psychic,’ Hope,” joked Shirley, “but my double, that ought to be where I am concerned, if she is so like me, is not even interested.”
“You are mistaken, Shirley. Sidney is attracted to you, but fights it.”
“I wonder if you are right,” mused Shirley.
“Sidney can’t share anything,—not even looks!”