It was perfect! But Alice was not thrown off the scent.
Men can deceive men; men may hoodwink women, and be hoodwinked in turn; but it has not been given to one woman to throw dust into the eyes of another. The silliest girl can see through the most astute as though she were of glass.
“An accomplishment? What? To pin people’s collars to their necks?”
“Of course not, goosey! An accomplishment for gentlemen to play on the fid—violin?”
“Oh!” said Alice, dryly. “Why, of course it is. Any art which gives pleasure is an accomplishment.”
“Yes, I know; but—”
“Go on.”
“I don’t think it is—exactly—oh, I don’t know what I think about it.”
“But I do,” replied Alice, quickly, turning and facing her friend.
“And what do you know that I think, that I do not know myself?” said Mary, putting her hands on Alice’s shoulders, drawing her close, and smiling affectionately into her eyes.