f, laughing to herself, to think how she had intended to be the
mystifier, and instead, was the mystified.

When Kittie was alone, she went to the glass, and leaning her chin in
her hands, looked herself steadily in the face, as though absorbed in a
new and astounding discovery. It was hard to tell just exactly how it
affected her, for she looked a good deal astonished, rather sober, but
very much pleased and a little bit shy.

"I'm sure," she said, nodding to herself with all earnestness, "I never
dreamed of such a thing before, but--but--I do believe it's so;" and
then she colored up all of a sudden, and the reflection disappeared from
view.

Kat came upstairs very soon after supper, and found her sitting in just
the same place by the window, and just as little inclined to talk as
before, which made matters seem uncomfortable.

"I declare!" muttered Kat, slamming about in the clothes-press, with no
particular object in view, except to make a little noise. "This is
abominable! I think she might tell me, but I'm not going to ask. I'm
sure, I'd tell her quick enough, but she don't care, and I sha'n't 'till
she asks me;" and then becoming aware of the inconsistency of her
reflections Kat shut the door with some force, and sat down in silence.

There was no telling how long this pleasing quietude might have lasted,
if it had not been for an immense bug that sailed in at the window,
close to Kittie's nose, and began to bump gayly around the room, while
both girls flew up, in feminine nervousness, and opened fire upon him,
with any objects they might lay hands on.

"Good gracious!" cried Kat, after a breathless battle, during which
three chairs had been laid low, various objects upset, and the lamp
blown out. "Let the old thing go; it won't stay in the dark. What geese
we are anyhow, afraid of a bug."

"I wasn't afraid," said Kittie, dropping into her chair with an
exhausted sigh. "But they always make me fidgetty; and, beside, it came
in right across my nose. Well, anyhow, it's cooler in the dark."

"What in the world are you so quiet for!" exclaimed Kat, in despair,
after a few moments, during which silence settled again.

"I? Nothing," said Kittie, with a little start.

"Nonsense!"

"Well, it's the truth; I didn't know that I was so quiet," said Kittie,
who in truth had nothing to tell. "I'll talk gay enough if you'll start
me on something."

"You never had to be started before," grumbled Kat, who would have