"You do not mean this, Mary Ursula!" But the grave look of her earnest face effectually answered him.
"It is I who shall miss you," bewailed Ethel. "Oh, can nothing be done?"
"Nothing," said Mary, smiling. "Our paths, Ethel, will probably lie far apart in life. You will marry, and social ties will form about you. I----" she broke off suddenly.
"I intend to marry Ethel myself," said Harry, kicking hack a large live coal that flew far out into the hearth.
"Be quiet, Harry," said Ethel, a shade of annoyance in her tone.
"Why, you know it's true," he returned, without looking at her.
"True! When we are like brother and sister!"
Miss Castlemaine glanced from one to the other. She did not know how to take this. That Harry liked Ethel and was in the habit of paying her attention, told nothing; for he did the same by many other young ladies.
"It was only last week I asked her to fix the day," said Harry.
"And I told you to go and talk nonsense elsewhere; not to me," retorted Ethel, her tone betraying her real vexation.