She put her arms round the younger girl’s unresponsive figure.
“I want you to be happy too, so badly,” she went on earnestly. “I didn’t mean to tell you yet, but I must somehow. George––Mr. Rochester–––” she broke off, laughing and crying together.
“The man’s a perfect disgrace,” she protested, “I told him so, too! I’ve only known him three weeks, and––and–––” she raised tear-drowned eyes to Esther’s face. “What can you do when a man that size kisses you?” she demanded.
Esther had to laugh.
“Why, do what you did,” she said. “Kiss him in return.”
June wiped her eyes and laughed, and shed more tears.
“I never meant to marry any one,” she said angrily. “But the dreadful creature seems to want me so desperately badly. I’m really utterly miserable, only–––”
“O June!” said Esther.
“So I am! At least!”––June looked up and suddenly laughed. “I’m not,” she said. “I’m a wicked liar! but oh, such a gloriously happy, wicked liar!”