“You?” cried Pattie.
“Yes; are you surprised?”
“Oh, no!” answered Pattie; but she was, nevertheless.
“Well, I am the chosen one, and I can tell you I had my triumph. Those other girls, especially that new girl, Robina Starling, was sure that one of them would be cock-o’-the-walk; but not a bit of it—my little boy chose me.”
“That was nice for you,” said Pattie; “only I should not have thought you would have cared to be bothered by a child.”
“It’s not that,” said Harriet, lowering her voice; for, really, under the circumstances, any sympathiser was better than none. “A good deal depends on it. I will explain to you another time. Of course, there are drawbacks. I have the charge of that small person, and in consequence can’t enjoy myself at the picnic to-day.”
“Oh, what a pity!” said Pattie.
“It is, isn’t it?”
“And you are all alone this lovely, lovely day?”
“It is true,” said Harriet. “Well, I suppose I must take the rough with the smooth.”