"I thought you were engaged to Neil—he wrote me to that effect."
Bessie's face was scarlet as she answered:
"I was engaged to him then; I am not now."
"Did he break it, or you?" was the next question.
"I broke it," was the low response.
"Why?" came next from Miss McPherson, and Bessie replied:
"He did not wish me to come as steerage, and bade me choose between that and him; and as I must come, and had no money for a first-class ticket, I gave him back the ring, and he was free."
"Are you sorry?"
This was spoken sharply, and Miss McPherson's little round, black eyes rested curiously upon Bessie, who answered promptly:
"No, oh, no. I am very glad. It is better so. We were not suited to each other."