“’T is just what—Oh, I think I’ll tell thee the whole tale and get thy advice. I dare not go to mommy, for I know she’d make me give it up, and dadda being away, and Tibbie in a snip-snap, I have no one to—and perhaps—I’d never tell thee to shame Tibbie, but because I need advice and—”
“A man with half an eye would know you were no tale-bearer, Miss Janice," her companion assured her.
Thus prompted and enticed, the girl poured out the whole story. “I wish I could show you the picture,” she ended. "She is the most beautiful creature I ever saw.”
“Hast never looked in a mirror, Miss Janice?"
“Now thou ’t just teasing.”
“I’ faith, ’t is the last thought in my mind,” said Evatt, heartily.
“You really think me pretty?” questioned the girl, with evident delight if uncertainty.
Evatt studied the eager, guileless face questioningly turned to him, and had much ado to keep from smiling.
“’T is impossible not to think it,” he replied.
“Even after seeing the court beauties?” demanded Janice, half doubtful and half joyous.