aybe he didn't really mean to see me home, and
sometimes he didn't offer me his arm," she added, with a childlike
wistfulness, as if she desired Maria to reassure her.

"I dare say he meant to see you home," said Maria, rather shortly.

"I am not quite sure," said Lily. "But he did walk home with me quite
a number of times, first and last, and you know we used to go to the
same school, and a number of times then, when we were a good deal
younger, he really did see me home, and--he kissed me good-night
then. Of course he hasn't done that lately, because we were older."

"I should think not, unless you were engaged," said Maria.

"Of course not, but he has said several things to me. Maybe he didn't
mean anything, but they sounded--I thought I would like to tell you,
Maria. I have never told anybody, not even mother. Once he said my
name just suited me, and once he asked me if I thought married people
were happier, and once he said he thought it was a doubtful
experiment for a man to marry and try to live either with his wife's
mother or his own. You know, if he married me, it would have to be
one way or the other. Do you think he meant anything, Maria?"

"I don't know," said Maria. "I didn't hear him."

"Well, I thought he spoke as if he meant it, but, of course, a girl
can never be sure. I suppose men do say so many things they don't
mean. Don't you?"

"Yes, I suppose they do."

"Do you think he did, Maria?" asked Lily, piteously.

"My dear child, I told you I didn't hear him, and I don't see how I
can tell," repeated Maria, with a little impatience. It did seem hard
to her that she should be so forced into a confidence of this kind,
but an odd feeling of protective tenderness for Lily was stealing
over her. She reached a certain height of nobility which she had
never reached before, through this feeling.

"I know men so often say things when they mean nothing at all," Lily
said again. "Perhaps he didn't mean anything. I know he has gone home
with Agnes Sears several times, and he has talked to her a good deal
when we have been at parties. Do you think she is pretty, Maria?"

"Yes, I think she is quite pretty," replied Maria.

"Do you think--she is better-looking than--I am?" asked Lily, feebly.

"No, of course I don't," said Maria. "You are a perfect beauty."

"Oh, Maria, do you think so?"

"Of course I do! You know it yourself as well as I do."

"No, honest, I am never quite sure, Maria. Sometimes it