while he pushed a dish of blues
towards me in a contemptuous manner, which seemed to imply,
'Blueberries are good enough for _you_, miss!'"

"I have noticed that the waiters are very attentive to us," said Emily;
"do you suppose Gertrude has been secretly bribing them?"

"She says not," replied Netta. "Didn't you tell me so yesterday,
Gertrude, when I was drawing a similar comparison between their devotion
to you and to our party? Didn't you tell me that neither the doctor nor
any of you ever gave Peter anything?"

"Certainly," answered Gertrude; "his attentions are all voluntary; but I
attribute them entirely to Emily's influence and his desire to serve
her."

"It is no such thing," said Netta; "it's sorcery, I'm sure of it; you've
been practising the black art, Gertrude, and I'll warn Peter this very
day."

They now went to the corner of the drawing-room where the old ladies of
Gryseworth and Jeremy were sitting upon a sofa, engaged in earnest
conversation, while Ellen, who had just returned from a drive with her
father, stood talking with him and a Mr. Petrancourt, who had just
arrived from New York.

The ladies on the sofa made room for Emily, and Netta and Gertrude
seated themselves. Madame Gryseworth was annoyed by a group of children
on the other side of the room, who by their shouts interrupted her
remarks, and prevented her understanding those of her neighbour.
Gertrude's attention was attracted by them to such a degree that she did
not hear half of the sallies of wit and nonsense which Netta continued
to pour forth.

"Do go and play with those children, Gertrude," said Netta at last; "I
know you're longing to go."

"I'm longing to stop their play!" said Gertrude.

Some half-dozen gaily-dressed children had collected around a strange
little new-comer, whom they were subjecting to every species of
persecution. Her clothes, though of rich materials, were mostly untidily
arranged, and soiled by travelling. Her little black silk frock (for the
child was clad in mourning) was quite outgrown, being much shorter than
some of her other garments, and her whole appearance denoted great
neglect. Gertrude saw the little girl standing in their midst, looking
wildly about her, as if to escape; but this the children prevented, and
continued to ply her with questions, each of which called forth their
derisive shouts, which made her cry. Whether the scene reminded Gertrude
of some of her own experiences, or merely t