Florence made no reply. After a time she said, suddenly—
“I am glad you made that remark. I shall never forget it—never.”
Again he had to ask her what it was.
“About your feeling just the same to me if I were as poor as a church mouse.”
“So I should,” he answered, with enthusiasm. “How could riches enhance your value? A man likes a girl for herself. He is indifferent, quite indifferent as to whether she has money or not.”
“That is the sort of man I admire,” said Florence.
“Well, always remember that I have said it of you. Don’t forget, will you?”
“I shall never forget,” she replied; and then they went back to the house where Susie, being tired out with strumming on the old piano, had begged for round games. There was a great deal of fun; and altogether Christmas night passed with éclat. The girls went back in high spirits, and as they were going to bed that evening, Florence said to Brenda—
“How did you enjoy yourself?”
“Fairly well,” she replied; “but I saw that you looked happy.”