his friend, it may be supposed, did not feel very comfortable when
they heard this.

"I didn't think the silly girl would take it so seriously," remarked
one to the other.

"No; it was a mere joke."

"But has turned out a very serious one."

"I guess they'll make it up again before long."

"I hope so. Who would have believed it was in her to take the matter
so much at heart, or to act with so much decision and firmness? I
really think better of the girl than I did before, although I pity
her from my heart."

"Hadn't we better make an effort to undo the wrong we have done?"

"And expose ourselves? Oh, no! We must be as still as death on the
subject. It is too serious an affair. We might get ourselves into
trouble."

"True. But I cannot bear to think that others are suffering from an
act of mine."

"It is not a pleasant consciousness, certainly. But still, to
confess what we have done would place us in a very awkward position.
In fact, not for the world would I have an exposure of this little
act of folly take place. It would affect me in a certain