"A matter of opinion," murmured Belle under her breath.
"You don't mean to say you haven't seen her," cried Brenda in surprise.
"No, I haven't happened to," answered Philip.
"She's invited to my cooking party next week," said Nora. "You know that you've accepted too, so you'll see her."
"Oh, yes, by the way," said Philip, "what evening is it?"
"Friday, of course," replied Nora, "so we can sit up late without thinking about school the next day."
"Well, you'll see me sure," said Philip. "But see here, it's five o'clock now and I have an engagement down town."
Philip hurried off, bowing in a very grown-up way to the group of girls. For whatever criticisms any one might make about Philip's indolence and disinclination to study, no one could deny that he had very good manners. Though only about four years their senior, he seemed much older than Brenda and her friends. Years before they had all been playmates together, but his two years in College had taken him away from them, and it was not often that he condescended to spend as long a time in their presence as had been the case this afternoon.
"Do you think that Philip looks very well, Edith," asked Belle when he had left the room.
"Why, of course, don't you?" replied Philip's sister.