"Amy Carringford is a nice girl, I think," Janice Day said mildly. "And perhaps she has a party dress, Stella."
"There you go! Always standing up for anything mean or common," stormed Stella. "I might have known you wouldn't help me."
"Why did you ask me then?" Janice inquired with some rising spirit.
"Because you're always so sharp about things; and you can help me if you want to."
Stella Latham was certainly much more frankly spoken than politic. Janice Day excused her schoolmate to a degree. She usually found excuses for every one but herself.
"I was only trying to help you," Janice said slowly. you haven't really anything against Amy, have you?"
"She's a pauper—a regular pauper."
"Why, that's not so," interrupted Janice. "A pauper must be one who is supported at the public expense. We had that word only the other day in our lesson, you know, Stella. And Amy Carringford—or her folks— aren't like that."
"Nobody knows what or who they are. They've only just come here and from goodness knows where. And they live in that little tumble-down house in Mullen Lane, and—"
"Oh, dear me, Stella!" interrupted Janice, with a sudden laugh. "That list of crimes will never send anybody to jail. You are awfully critical. Amy has awfully pretty manners, and just wonderful hair. She sings and dances well, too. And Gummy—'Gumswith' is his full name—"