Oh, holy poker! it's cruel the difference between us. Here's my
forehead low and bumpy, and my little nose, scarcely any of it, and
what there is turned right up to the sky; and my wide mouth, and my
little eyes, and my hair just standing straight up as rakish as you
please. And look at you, with your elegant features and your--oh,
but it's genteel you are!--and I love you, Nora alannah; I love you,
and am not a bit jealous of you."

Here the impulsive girl threw her arms round her friend's neck and
kissed her.

"All the same," she added, "I wish those clouds were not coming up.
It has been so precious hot all day that I should not be the least
surprised if we had a thunderstorm."

"A thunderstorm while we are in the cave would be magnificent," said
Nora.

"Does anything ever frighten you, Nora?"

"I don't think anything in nature could frighten me; but there are
some things I am frightened at."

"What? Do tell me. I should like to know."

"You'll keep it a secret--won't you, Biddy?"

"To be sure I will. When did I ever blaze out anything you told me?
If I am plain, I am faithful."