“What is that?”
“It's a man who can't believe all the good he would like, but likes to believe all the good he can.”
Bessie said it over, with burlesque thoughtfulness. “There was a girl here to-day,” she said, solemnly, “who must have been a reformed pessimist, then, for she said the same thing.”
“Oh! Miss Enderby,” said Jeff.
Bessie started. “You're preternatural! But what a pity you should be mistaken. How came you to think of her?”
“She doesn't like me, and you always put me on trial after she's been here.”
“Am I putting you on trial now? It's your guilty conscience! Why shouldn't Mary Enderby like you?”
“Because I'm not good enough.”
“Oh! And what has that to do with people's liking you? If that was a reason, how many friends do you think you would have?”
“I'm not sure that I should have any.”