yes or no.'

'I certainly don't,' replied the girl, barely subduing the tremor of
her voice.

'Both my children are not fools, thank Heaven! Now tell me, if you
can, what fault you have to find with the "young lady," as your
brother calls her?'

'For one thing, I don't think her Horace's equal. She can't really
be called a lady.'

'You are listening?'

Horace bit his lip in mortification, and again his head swung
doggedly from side to side.

'We might pass over that,' added Mr. Lord. 'What about her character?
Is there any good point in her?'

'I don't think she means any harm. But she's silly, and I've often
thought her selfish.'

'You are listening?'

Horace lost patience.

'Then why do you pretend to be friends with her?' he demanded almost
fiercely.