"What do you mean?" said Jim, turning pale.
Alison's eyes were fixed angrily on him.
"Oh, I see, I can move you at last," she Said. "You didn't think that I could guess, but I can. Go to Louisa—she loves you well, and I don't—I never did—it was all a big mistake. Girls like me often fancy they love, and then when the thing comes near they see that they don't; marriage is an awful thing without love—it is a sin. Go and marry Louisa; she'll make you a good wife."
"Alison," said Jim, "there can be only one explanation to the way you are going on to-day."
"And what is that?" she asked.
"There must be someone you like better than me."
"Of course there is," said Alison, with a shrill laugh.
"I love Grannie better than him. I love Dave better," whispered the excited girl wildly, under her breath.
"Of course there is," she repeated. "There is nothing for opening the eyes like seeing your true love at last."
"Then you have explained matters, and I haven't a word to say," answered Jim, in a haughty voice.