sincere and direct. "I know just what you mean. But how does it apply to
Mr. Mavering?"

"It doesn't, exactly," returned her friend. "And I'm always ashamed when
I say, or even think, anything against Dan Mavering. He's sweetness
itself. We've known him ever since he came to Harvard, and I must say
that a more constant and lovely follow I never saw. It wasn't merely when
he was a Freshman, and he had that home feeling hanging about him still
that makes all the Freshmen so appreciative of anything you do for them;
but all through the Sophomore and Junior years, when they're so taken up
with their athletics and their societies and their college life generally
that they haven't a moment for people that have been kind to them, he was
just as faithful as ever."

"How nice!" cried Mrs. Pasmer.

Yes, indeed! And all the allurements of Boston society haven't taken him
from us altogether. You can't imagine how much this means till you've
been at home a while and seen how the students are petted and spoiled
nowadays in the young society."

"Oh, I've heard of it," said Mrs. Pasmer. "And is it his versatility and
brilliancy, or his amiability, that makes him such a universal
favourite?"

"Universal favourite? I don't know that he's that."

"Well, popular, then."

"Oh, he's certainly very much liked. But, Jenny, there are no universal