Marguerite soon poured oil on the troubled waters.
"You told me where you were going to stay Helen but I have forgotten," ventured the latter.
"I did not happen to find my friends in the Belgravian district, but what matters it?" returned Helen.
"Up town or down town, that is the burning question always uppermost in Fredericton," cried Josie.
"It was that part I believe they call the West End, but unlike London and other cities it is not a locality habitable by the fashionable or good form of the pretty little city. But the residence of my friends is, notwithstanding this drawback, the home of culture and refinement, nay more—it is the home of generosity, for never did I see more genuine true-heartedness than in this truly happy home."
"You doubtless have found many such people during your visit, for the hospitality of Fredericton is proverbial," exclaimed Marguerite in a soft and gentle manner.
"I did indeed," exclaimed Helen, "the people are very much conservative, but that gives them all the more favor in my eyes."
"Ah, you precious daughter of the old school," cried the vehement Josie, "it were well that you went to the Celestial ere you started for Halifax, in order that you might, to a certain extent, have re-acquired that amount of red tapeism which you must have almost forgotten amid the more liberally-inclined citizens of our fog-begirt city."
"Quite an orator, Josie," ventured Marguerite. "I will not interrupt you again, Helen, only to assist your memory by questions. Were there many young ladies in the family?"
"There was just one of the loveliest and sweetest girls in existence," cried Helen, enthusiastically.