XV.


Mildred was the first down. She wore a pretty _robe a fleurs,_ and her
straw hat was trimmed with tremulous grasses and cornflowers. A faint
sunshine floated in the wet garden.

A moment after Elsie cried from the door-step:

'Well, you have got yourself up. We don't run to anything like that
here. You're going out flirting. It's easy to see that.'

'My flirtations don't amount to much. Kisses don't thrill me as they
do you. I'm afraid I've never been what you call "in love."'

'You seem on the way there, if I'm to judge by last night,' Elsie
answered rather tartly. 'You know, Mildred, I don't believe all you
say, not quite all.'

A pained and perplexed expression came upon Mildred's face and she
said:

'Perhaps I shall meet a man one of these days who will inspire passion
in me.'

'I hope so. It would be a relief to all of us. I wouldn't mind
subscribing to present that man with a testimonial.'