"Oh, come now, don't be dismal, and blame yourself for every trouble
under the sun. Sit down and talk it over, and see what can be done.
Poor old girl, I forgave you the notes, and say I _was_ wrong to
meddle with Bopp. I got you into the scrape, and I'll get you out if
the sky don't fall, or Bopp blow his brains out, like a second
Werther, before to-morrow."

Dick drew the animated fountain to the wide chair, where they had
sat together since they were born, wiped her eyes, laid her wet
cheek against his own, and patted her back, with an idea that it was
soothing to babies, and why not to girls?

"I wish mother was at home," sighed Dolly, longing for that port
which was always a haven of refuge in domestic squalls like this.

"Write, and tell her not to stay till Saturday."

"No; it would spoil her visit, and you know she deferred it to help
us through this dreadful masquerade. But I don't know what to do."

"Why, bless your heart, it's simple enough. I'll tell Bopp, beg his
pardon, say 'Dolly's willing,' and there you are all taut and
ship-shape again."

"I wouldn't for the world, Dick. It would be very hard for you, very
awkward for me, and do no good in the end; for August is so proud
he'd never forgive you for such a trick, would never believe that I
'had a heart' after all you've said and I've done; and I should only
hear with my own ears that he thanked me for that No. Oh, why can't
people know when they are in love, and not go heels over head before