"Well."

"I wonder if blonde don't mean yellow," said the philosophic Fanny.

"Does it?"

"Yes."

"What then?"

"Why, of course, I thought yellow primroses would'nt become you;--now
they would suit me--I'm so dark."

"You do not need them."

"Fie--Miss Flatterer."

"Oh, no, Fanny, I never flatter."

"Well, I'm glad you like me, then!" cried Fanny, "for I declare
I'm desperately in love with you, Reddy. Just think, now, how much
flattered Miss Sallianna would have been if I had carried these
flowers to her--you know she loves the 'beauties of nature.'"

And Miss Fanny assumed a languishing air, and inclining her head upon
one shoulder, raised her eyes lackadaisically toward the ceiling, in
imitation of Miss Sallianna.

"No, Fanny!" said Redbud, "that is not right."

"What?"

"Mimicking Miss Sallianna."

"Not right!"

"No, indeed."

"Well, I suppose it is not, and I have been treating her very badly.
Suppose I take your wreath of yellow primroses and carry them to her."

"Oh, yes--if you want to," said Redbud, looking regretfully at the
wreath, which she had taken from her brow.

Fanny laughed.

"No, I will not," she said; "I have a good reason."

"What?"

"The axiom in heraldry."

"What axiom?"

"Never put color upon color--yellow upon yellow in this instance!"

And Miss Fanny burst into laughter, and fairly shook with glee.

Redbud gave her a little reproachful glance, which showed Fanny the
uncharitable nature of her observation.

"Well," said the owner of the soiled ankles, "I ought not to have
said that; but really, she is so ridiculous! She thinks she's the
handsomest person in the world, and I do believe she wants to rob us
of our beaux."

Redbud smiled, and lightly colored.

"I mean Verty and Ralph," Fanny went on, "and I know something is
going on. Miss Sallianna is always in love with somebody; it was Mr.
Jinks the other day, and now I think it is one of our two visitors."

"Oh, Fanny!"

"Yes, I do! you need'nt look so incredulous--I believe she would
flirt with either of them, and make love to them; which," added the
philosophic Fanny, "is only another phrase for the same thing."

Redbud remained for a moment confused, and avoiding Fanny's glance.
Then her innocent and simple smile returned, and leaning her arm
affectionately upon the young girl's shoulder, she said, seriously:

"Fanny, please don't talk in that way. You know Verty is not an
ordinary young gentlema