unheard-of thing. "But," she said, aloud, "I'd do it again. I'd do
anything to protect her. But I hope I was polite?" Then she thought how
courageous Mrs. Cyrus was. "She's as brave as a lion!" said Mary North.
Yet had Miss North been able to stand at the Captain's door, she would
have witnessed cowardice.

"Gussie, I wouldn't cry. Confound that female, coming over and stirring
you up! Now don't, Gussie! Why, I never thought of--Gussie, I wouldn't
cry--"

"I have worried almost to death. Pro-promise!"

"Oh, your granny was Mur--Gussie, my dear, now _don't_."

"Dr. Lavendar said you'd always been so sensible; he said he didn't see
how you could think of such a dreadful thing."

"What! Lavendar? I'll thank Lavendar to mind his business!" Captain
Price forgot Gussie; he spoke "earnestly." "Dog-gone these people that
pry into--Oh, now, Gussie, _don't!_"

"I've worried so awfully," said Mrs. Cyrus. "Everybody is talking about
you. And Dr. Lavendar is so--so angry about it; and now the daughter has
charged on me as though it is my fault!--Of course, she is queer, but--"

"Queer? she's queer as Dick's hatband! Why do you listen to her? Gussie,
such an idea never entered my head,--or Mrs. North's either."

"Oh yes, it has! Her daughter said that she had had to speak to her--"