mind his making one of our party, will you?"

"I think I will go to my room and rest awhile, and thus I shall not be
that chief of this world's evils--the odious third party." And I rose
decisively.

"I'd rather you wouldn't go," she said. "I don't care specially for
him, and he does not talk half so nicely as you do. You needn't go on
his account. Indeed, I like to have half a dozen gentlemen around me."

"You are delightfully frank."

"Yes, I usually say what I think."

"And do as you please," I added.

"Certainly. Why shouldn't I when I can? Don't you?"

"But I came from the wicked city." "So does Emily Warren."

"Is she wicked?"

"I don't know; she keeps it to herself if she is; and, by the way, she
is very quiet, I can never get her to talk much about herself. She
appears so good that mother is beginning to quote her as an example,
and that, you know, always makes one detest a person. I think there is
some mystery about her. I'm sorry you will go, for I've lots of
questions I'd like to ask you now we are acquainted."

"Pardon me; I'm not strong, and must have a rest. Silas Jones will