"There, that's it. I knew there'd be comparisons. Oh, dear! It never was so before Julia came."
"Daughter," said Mr. Barlow from behind his paper. Brenda trembled, for her father's "Daughter" was generally the introduction to a lecture. "Daughter, I fear that you are jealous."
Brenda shook her head. "Oh, papa!"
"Yes, Brenda, I have noticed in several ways that you are less kind to Julia than you should be. How does it happen that you and she never start off to school together?"
"Brenda is never ready when Julia is," said Mrs. Barlow.
"Ah, Brenda, your habit of tardiness is a very bad one."
"I'm hardly ever late at school. Belle and I get there a full minute before the bell rings."
"That may be, but it would be better if you and Julia started together."
"She does not have to go alone. Nora is generally with her."
"Ah, Brenda, the point I am trying to make is this; you do not spend nearly as much time with your cousin as I had hoped you would, and you are too ready to find fault with what she does!"