fresh!"

"You mean that for a compliment, I'm sure. Yes, she is,--she's like a
dewy daisy--"

"Dewy daisy, nothing! She isn't so childlike as she wants to appear!"

"There now, Elise, don't talk like that! It doesn't sound pretty,--and
goodness knows _you've_ no reason to be jealous."

"What?" asked Elise, already mollified.

"Why, you, with your established place in this household, and in our
set,--mustn't stoop to be--jealous--of a little schoolgirl!"

"Oh, I'm _not_! How dare you hint it?"

"Then don't act so. Take my advice, Lisa, and don't show even the
appearance of that sort of thing. It reacts,--you know."

Elise did know,--she knew Chick was telling her the truth, and telling
it, too, only in the kindest spirit of real friendship.

She bit her lip in annoyance, and said, sharply, "Don't abuse the
privilege of an old friend, Chick."

"I don't mean to,--honest I don't, Elise. Forgive me if I've offended
you."

"Oh, you haven't. That's all right. Have you ever met this Gale girl