Imogene’s curiosity led her to inquire into the details of the rescue. Though not altogether pleased with the growing intimacy of Tom and her poor cousin, she was glad that it was only a chance meeting, and that it was only an instinct of common humanity that led to our hero’s interfering in her behalf. Considering the youth of the parties, I may be charged with exaggerating her feelings, but Imogene is by no means the only girl of fifteen who suffers from jealousy. She was not in love of course, but she was covetous of attention, and the possible rivalry of her cousin made her very angry. She begun to think, on the whole, that she had been too open in her spite, and that this was not the surest way of winning Tom’s favor. She was clear-sighted enough to see that his sympathies in the present case were with Mary.
Softening her tone, therefore, she said:
“At any rate, I am glad it has brought you to the house, Mr. Temple. Pray come in, and let me offer you a plate of strawberries and cream.”
Tom was not heroic enough to withstand such an offer as this. He was fond of strawberries, and he knew there was no chance of getting any at the Middletons’. They would have thought it sinful extravagance to spend money on such a luxury.
“Thank you,” he said, and entered.
“You’d better go up-stairs and change your dress, Mary,” said her cousin. “Really the one you have on looks disgracefully dirty.”
“I fell while I was running away from the dog,” said Mary.
Just here James entered. He looked rather sheepish when he saw Mary.
“Halloo! Are you all right, Mary?” he asked.
“Yes!” she said, rather significantly. “I am glad you were prudent enough not to run into danger on my account.”