"Furiously jealous," answered Kate, with a light laugh.
"Oh, but you needn't be! Molly loves you; she was crying about you this morning."
"What a very unpleasant thing to tell me!" said Kate. "Am I in such a deplorable condition, in either mind or body, as to require tears?"
Hester opened her lips to speak, but Kate suddenly clapped her hand across her mouth.
"Not a word more, Hetty," she exclaimed; "I have really no time to consider Molly Lavender's feelings at the present moment. I mean to ask all the girls whom I know to my birthday feast, even Matilda Matthews."
"Oh, that horrid creature! I wouldn't if I were you."
"You would if you were me."
"But surely you are not going to take up a girl of that sort?"
"Did I say so?"