"You wait till he develops, you young thing," said Mr. Devering. "You're very much less gushing over strangers than most girls your age."
"I don't love people the way you do, Dad," she said. "You're a dear. Everyone likes you. I'm hard as nails."
"No, no, child, you have a tender heart."
"I love my animals," she said softly, "better I think than human beings."
"Don't say that," said her father; "don't say that, my daughter."
"Why not, Dad?"
"We come first. Love animals, but keep them second. Now I want you to promise to stand by this lad."
"I've kept him on the trot all the evening."
"You know what I mean. The boys may bully him. I depend on you to look out for him till he gets his footing here."