Poppy back. I think I must have yielded to temptation that time;
perhaps I'm nothing but a vain little girl, and think myself cleverer
than I am."

"Oh, I'm sure you're a genius, Jasmine," said Daisy. "I know, for I
have studied your face a great deal; in the story-books I generally
notice that the geniuses have the same kind of face that you
have--they generally have a little discontented, surprised look about
them. I admire the expression very much myself, and sometimes when I'm
alone--for you know you and Primrose have to leave me a good deal
alone--I try to practice it before the glass. I think it's mostly
done with a rise of the eyebrows, but I never can keep mine up long
enough."

Jasmine laughed.

"I do hope I am a genius," she said; "I have always longed so to be
one. If I really am, it will be all right about Poppy's money, for, of
course, the public will try to buy my story. It's really rather a
striking story, Daisy. There's a girl in it who does such wonderfully
self-denying things--she never thinks of herself for a moment--she is
very poor, and yet she earns money in all sorts of delightful ways,
and supports her family--she has got two sisters--they are not half as
clever as she is at earning money. The story begins by the sisters
rather despising Juliet, but in the end they find out how much she is
worth. The leading idea in the story is the inculcation of
unselfishness--oh dear! oh dear! I hope I shall prove myself a genius
in having developed this character. If so, I shall be able to pay
Poppy back."