"Miss Jordan, please do not misconstrue Madge's words, you saucy girl!" retorted Helen, tapping her toes upon the stool near, by way of calling the other to order.
A brilliant description of a ball at the Government House then followed, also several parties and other indoor amusements.
"That is all very nice Helen," cried Josie, "but I want to hear about the people. There is always so much talk about the celestials, their culture, refinement and all that sort of thing, now you can give us your opinion."
"That is a delicate subject for Helen to handle," said Marguerite with a slight shade of embarrassment heightening her color and making more pathetic the soft speaking eyes.
"Indeed my peerless ones you are all good and lovely in my sight and the fair Marian is among the number."
"Is she pretty, Helen?"
"Not what the world would call pretty, but she is neat and graceful, has a pretty form and graceful carriage and carries her head like a queen."
"What of her brothers—are they blonde or brunette?"
"Neither, but tall, straight and rather inclined to be fashionable young men."
"Then I cannot bear to hear of them; for anything in this world I despise is a dude," exclaimed Josie with an expression of disgust upon her face that was in accord with her speech.