"I know all about it, sweet? Oh, yes."
"You look very queer, Susan. I wish you would not have that——"
"That what, Maudie?"
"That sort of pleasure in seeing people unhappy. It isn't nice."
"Oh, isn't it, Maud? What about the kind friend who gets others out of their troubles. You know——"
"You needn't go into that," said Maud, coloring and then turning white.
"Ah! but I thought I'd just remind you, dear. But to return to our beloved Christian. She really is a very noble specimen of her name—very conscientious and all that—but, notwithstanding, I think we shall get her to do pretty much what we like; and all and entirely by means of that little secret of hers, which she must never tell except, to your humble servant."
"But why—why—why?"
"Oh, inquisitive one. Your desires are not to be gratified. But now to turn to other matters. I propose that we shall have a very great feast in the front attic, to which all members of the Penwernian Society are to be invited, on the second Saturday in February. That is exactly one fortnight from now. We must have a real supper, and everything in first-rate style; and Florence Dixie and her two friends, Ethel and Emma Manners, are all to be invited."
"What nonsense! You know quite well we can't invite strangers to the front attic. It is bad enough to have these feasts at all, as it were, in the dark, and with Jessie knowing all the time."