"Well, Dorothy, what do you think of my father?"
"Frances!--what a thing to ask me!--when I've seen him for scarcely five minutes!"
"Well?--isn't that long enough to enable you to form an opinion? I've summed up most people inside two seconds."
"Yes--all wrong. Frances, you are an idiot; I never did know anyone talk quite such drivel as you do."
"Thank you, James; I am obliged to you. Would you mind going away to play? I have something which I wish to say to my friend, Miss Gilbert, which I would rather not have overheard by boys. And please remember how easily a bad impression is formed--don't let Miss Gilbert find out your true character in the first two minutes."
"All right, ducky; don't you worry. I give you my word I've no wish to listen to the sort of stuff I know you are fond of talking. Miss Gilbert, you have my sympathy."
The young gentleman strolled off, his hands in his pockets, whistling a popular air. Miss Vernon regarded his back with the same smiling eyes with which she had followed her father; and put almost the same question to her friend.
"Dorothy, what do you think of Jim?"
"Frances!--how can you?--when you know very well that I think nothing."
"You are quite right, my dear; I am glad you show such penetration. All the same, you can't deny that he is good-looking."