“But we can never do all this in one day,” said Janie, looking in dismay at the long list.
“Well, there are lots of days coming,” said Nancy, laughing. “We’ll go as far as we can to-day, and then ‘continue it in our next’ like the serial stories.”
“Nan, dear,” protested Jeanette, gently, “don’t laugh quite so loudly.”
Nancy looked up in astonishment, for her laughter had been perfectly modulated. Jeanette looked at her intently for a moment; then she understood.
“You’re right, Janie,” she said. “I should have been more careful.”
“Why, what’s the difference?” demanded Emma in a puzzled tone.
“Good breeding forbids a loud laugh anywhere, but most of all in a public place,” explained Jeanette.
“It does not harm anyone,” persisted Emma.
“Only one’s self. A real lady tries not to attract attention or make herself conspicuous,” said Jeanette patiently. “Loud laughing or talking is not good form, in public places especially.”
“And you see,” went on Nancy, “Janie and I know each other so well that we are quite at liberty to offer corrections when they seem in order. We agreed to that many years ago. The people we are with see many of our faults which we are unconscious of; and it helps a lot to have someone who really cares, tell us about them.”