“Oh, you know what I mean,” sighed the unfortunate Millie. Try as she might there seemed no way just now of pleasing the taciturn Gloria.
“Of course, I do, Millie. I was only teasing,” came now the welcome assurance of restored good nature. But there was no real ring in it and Gloria fussed about, picking things up and dropping them quite as impotently and as nervously as any grown-up, moving for the first time, might have indulged in.
“But the young man, you know, Gloria,” braved Millie, “he’s a student, you know.”
“Yes, I know.”
“Have you—that is, have you met him?”
“Why, of course!” Scorn immeasurable exploded with the words.
“I mean, oh, I know you have met him, but—have you been talking to him?” Millie managed to ask.
A burst of laughter rang true this time.
“Millie Willy! Tiddle-down-dilly!” chanted Gloria. “I believe you are going to fall in love with Benjamin Hardy, Junior.”
“Oh, Gloria Doane!” and the plump pink cheeks flushed deeper. “I was only just saying—”