'I had been obliged to buy a very nice new straw bonnet at
Dykelands,' said Helen, 'and it, would have been a pity not to use
that.'

'Well, I have no notion of a whole row of sisters being forced to
dress alike,' said Harriet; 'Aunt Mildred might--'

Here Lucy stopped her sister's speech, by bringing the gown forward
to display it. When Harriet had sufficiently explained its
excellence she began, 'So your cousin, young Merton, is coming, is
he?'

'Yes,' said Katherine, 'we expected him last night, or in the course
of this day, but he has not come yet.'

'Well, what sort of a young fellow is he?' said Harriet.

'Very clever indeed,' said Katherine.

'Oh! then he will not be in my line at all,' said Harriet; 'those
clever boys are never worth speaking to, are they, Lucy?'

'Do you like stupid ones better?' said Helen.

'Capital, isn't it, Lucy?' cried Harriet; 'I did not mean stupid; I
only meant, clever boys, as they call them, have no fun, they only
read, read for ever, like my brother Allan.'

'I am sure Rupert is full of fun,' said Katherine.