noisy expostulations, Carrissima turned to her brother--

"Lawrence," she said, "I am really in the most dreadful state of mind.
I am beginning to wonder whether you could possibly have been right,
after all."

"Thank you," answered Lawrence stiffly. "But, of course, a prophet is
not without honour----"

"Yes, I know," Carrissima interrupted. "It's about Bridget."

"What has she been doing?" asked Phoebe.

"You remember she told us that to-day would be her birthday?"

"The most barefaced hint I ever heard in my life," said Lawrence.

"Well, I thought I would take her a small present----"

"A pity you can't hold yourself in a little more," was the answer.
"You must gush!"

"Anyhow," Carrissima continued quite humbly, "I went to
Donaldson's--Phoebe, I saw the duckiest little opal brooch. I was half
tempted----"

"For goodness' sake get along with the story!" cried Lawrence fretfully.

"I bought a card-case--silver," said Carrissima.