"How stupid! You don't suppose he'll come after what he heard the last time he was here?"
"Won't come? Why not?"
"Because he was rudely driven away."
"Nonsense! Did you ever drive flies from sugar or sweetmeats? Didn't they return as soon as they saw a ghost of a chance?"
"I don't think the comparison is complimentary, either to my sister or to Harry."
"Why not? Fenie is the sweetest creature that I know of, except you, and if Harry can or will keep away from her he's not half the man I take him to be."
"But he certainly has some self-respect?"
"Yes, far too much to be discouraged by a single rebuff. Do you suppose I'd have lost you through any such reason as you think is keeping him away at present? I suppose he may be feeling dismal, poor fellow, but at the same time he's learning how much he cares for Fenie, which isn't a bad sort of knowledge for a young man to have. As to Fenie——"
"Sh—h—! I didn't mean to tell you about her, for the secret is hers, not mine, and——"