"Indeed you are not," said Ben, quite as decidedly.
"O, yes, I am."
"We'll see;" he nodded at her. "Take my advice, Charlotte, and don't make a muff of yourself.
"It's very easy for you to talk," cried Charlotte, a little pink spot of anger rising on either cheek, "you have everybody to love you, and to be glad you are here; very easy, indeed!"
With that, she walked off, swinging her gown disdainfully after her.
"Whew!" ejaculated Ben, "well, I must say I'm surprised at you,
Charlotte. I didn't suppose you could be jealous."
"Jealous?" Charlotte flamed around at him. "O, Ben Pepper, what do you mean?"
"You are just as jealous as you can be," said Ben honestly, "absolutely green."
"I'd have you to know I never was jealous in my life," said Charlotte, quite pale now, and standing very still.
"You don't know it, but you are," said Ben imperturbably; "when people begin to talk about other folks being loved and happy and all that, they're always jealous. Why in the world don't you think how everybody is loving you and wanting to make you happy?" It was quite a long speech for Ben, and he was overcome with astonishment at himself for having made it.