Anne ran over the long list of their acquaintance, but there was one name she omitted.
“Are you sure that that is all?” asked Virginia, searchingly, when she had finished.
Anne looked mystified.
“I have invited Stephen Brice, Jinny,” she said. “But!—”
“But!” cried Virginia. “I knew it. Am I to be confronted with that Yankee everywhere I go? It is always 'Stephen Brice', and he is ushered in with a but.”
Anne was quite overcome by this outburst. She had dignity, however, and plenty of it. And she was a loyal friend.
“You have no right to criticise my guests, Virginia.”
Virginia, seated on the arm of a chair, tapped her foot on the floor.
“Why couldn't things remain as they were?” she said. “We were so happy before these Yankees came. And they are not content in trying to deprive us of our rights. They must spoil our pleasure, too.”
“Stephen Brice is a gentleman,” answered Anne. “He spoils no one's pleasure, and goes no place that he is not asked.”