“There are lots of animals,” said Jane. “Did you find out how he liked cows and pigs and ducks and porcupines—”
“I think you are all mean to laugh!” cried Lily indignantly. “It was perfectly natural to say something. And he was very nice and polite.”
“And what was the dog doing meanwhile?”
“The dog? What dog? Oh—I guess it must have gone home.”
“Well!” said Amelia, “I must say, Lily, that I think it would have been quite enough if you had simply thanked him, and gone on your way. And I think that Mr. Sheridan should hardly have asked you if you liked dogs when he had never been introduced to you.”
Lily, who was easily crushed, hung her head at this reproof, and did not attempt to defend herself. Now that she thought of it in the light that Amelia’s words threw on it, it seemed nothing short of shocking that she had spoken in such a familiar vein with a young man to whom she had never been introduced. Why had she said anything about it? Now, it was all spoiled, that innocent little episode, which had given her so much pleasure just to think about. Jane, however, quickly came to her defense.
“How silly! I don’t think anyone but a prig would be as proper as all that.”
“Jane!” remonstrated Elise, “that isn’t a very nice thing to say.”
“How do you happen to know him Janey?” asked Annie Lee.
“Oh, I called on him,” replied Jane, nonchalantly.