if she had said to her brother, "You know how I must feel, and yet
you are cross with me."

Jim glanced down at her, sudden relenting in his heart.

"I was just thinking it's pretty hard lines for both of us," said he.
"If we were rich and could come speeding into town in a snappy auto,
our clothes in the latest style, I guess things would be different.
There's no use talking, Fan; there's mighty little chance for our
sort. And if there's one thing I hate more than another it's what
folks call sympathy."

"So do I!" cried Fanny. "I simply can't bear it to know that people
are saying behind my back, 'There's _poor_ Fanny Dodge; I wonder--'
Then they squeeze your hand, and gaze at you and sigh. Even mother--I
want you to tell mother I'm not--that it isn't true--I can't talk to
her, Jim."

"I'll put her wise," said Jim gruffly.

After a pause, during which both walked faster than before, he said
hurriedly, as if the words broke loose:

"Don't you give that fellow another thought, Fan. He isn't worth it!"

The girl started like a blooded horse under the whip. She did not
pretend to misunderstand.

"I know you never liked him, Jim," she said after a short silence.