"And besides, Bessy," said Ethel, "you can do a good many more of the cheap ones than I can do of the nice ones, so it will come to just the same in the end."
Bessy, who cared rather more for the honor than for the money, was not quite satisfied with this argument, but she was contented when Ethel promised to give her lessons, that she might improve.
All this conversation was carried on in a low tone in a recess of the window apart from the other girls. And Abby, coming in while it was in progress, naturally approached the group to see what they were talking of.
Ethel, who was chatting very eagerly, checked herself at her cousin's approach: the other girls stopped because she did, and the whole party looked embarrassed.
"Talking secrets!" said Abby, carelessly, though she felt rather hurt at the sudden silence. "If you are, I won't intrude."
"We are through now, at any rate," said Ethel, laughing rather awkwardly.
"Oh, I don't want to creep in where I am not wanted," returned Abby, walking away. "I dare say I can find companions."
"Don't be silly, Abby," said Ethel, following her. "You know very well I am not fond of secrets. I will tell you all about it after school," she added, in a lower tone. "There is no privacy about it that I know of, only one don't want to be talking of every thing before the whole world."
Abby, always good-natured, allowed herself to be easily pacified, though she was very curious to learn what it was which was not to be talked of before the whole world.
Great was her wonderment when Ethel opened the matter to her as they were walking home. And when her cousin concluded with "Isn't it nice?" she answered—