"Well, Edith, I never knew anything so funny," Brenda exclaimed one day when she and Belle had vainly tried to persuade Edith to walk with them over the mill-dam. "You never used to make such excuses and I consider it a perfect waste of time myself to spend such a lovely afternoon studying. I should think your mother'd want you to have some exercise."
"Oh, I shall have plenty this afternoon. I am going to the gymnasium for an hour with Julia, and that will answer for to-day. We took a walk before school this morning."
"You and Nora are too provoking, Edith," exclaimed Brenda rather pettishly. "Ever since Julia came you seem to prefer spending your time with her. You never used to be such a book-worm."
"Well, I'm trying to make up for lost time. I wish that I could accomplish as much as Julia."
"Oh—Julia, Julia, I'm sick and tired of the name," exclaimed Belle. "Why in the world does she study so much, Brenda?"
"I'm sure I don't know."
"You ought to—you're her cousin. I believe myself that she's going to be a teacher."
"Belle, it is not nice in you to say that," interposed Edith.
"Why isn't it nice to be a teacher. I thought that you liked them more than anything else. I am sure that Julia does."
"I dare say she does, but it doesn't follow that she's going to be a teacher herself."