"Of course he won't. Come, let us go out on the veranda."
"I am going to speak to Johnny first," said Emma. "Come, Amity."
"She just wants to show how good she is, and that Amity is just such another," said Maud to her companions, as they went out of the room. "She knows she is homely, and she means to try the good dodge."
To do Maud justice, this spiteful speech was not original with her. She had heard it from her mother, who did not much believe in goodness, except for the sake of display. Mrs. Wickford was an unhappy woman. She loved the world dearly, and the world did not like her at all.
Johnny smiled as the girls spoke to him, and answered Emma's kind "How do you do to-day, Johnny?" slowly but distinctly.
Then, as he looked at Amity, his dull eyes brightened.
"I know you," he said quite eagerly; "I know your name: I say it in my prayers every night. Amity Bogardus," he repeated slowly. "I remember your eyebrows like a bridge."
"Why, where did you see Amity?" asked Emma.
"She picked up my marbles for me," answered Johnny. "It was in a place where you go to have lunch."
"In a restaurant in New York," said Amity. "I did not think you would know me again, Johnny. You have a good memory."