"Of all the girls I ever met, I dislike her the most," declared Iris.
She was very careful not to tell the real reason why.
This same young girl had been the first to notice her flirtation with Harry Kendal. They had had quite a stormy little scene over it, for the girl had attempted to rebuke Iris, in her modest way, and she had retorted by flashing out that it was none of her business, anyway, saying that she would flirt with Harry Kendal just as much as she pleased, and that it was a shame for such a handsome young fellow to marry a girl stone blind.
They had parted in anger. No wonder, we repeat, that Iris objected to inviting Dorothy's friend to the grand ball.
"Oh! of course we must invite her," said Dorothy, when her friend's name was brought under discussion. "Mustn't we, Harry?"
He turned away and walked moodily to the window without replying. If Iris did not like her, that settled the matter. He dared not put in one word in the girl's favor, though Dorothy was clamoring for his opinion.
"You must settle the matter, Harry," said Dorothy.
"Let me suggest a better way," he replied, gallantly, as he took his seat at the table again. "You two girls arrange it between yourselves."
"But we do not think we will come to an agreement," pouted Iris. "You will have to choose for Dorothy and me."
He gave her a startled, sweeping look, and she knew by that that he would not dare go against her for Dorothy.