der how you would take
the measles, Poll."

"Oh pshaw, Nolla! What has measles to do with me, right now!" was Polly's
impatient rejoinder.

"I don't know, I'm sure. I was only wondering why you take everything so
dreadfully in earnest. Now as far as your love tangle appears to be, I
should prognosticate--hear that word, Polly? I am trying to act the wise
magistrate for you--that there will be no suit for breach of promise,
although there may be a case made out against you for alienating Tom's
affections from Choko's Find Mine. On the other hand, you can serve a
counter suit on Tom for alienating your affections from your first
love--your business venture."

While Eleanor had been explaining the law to her friend, the latter grew
more and more impatient, and when the self-appointed magistrate concluded
her version of law, Polly sprang up angrily.

"I declare, Nolla, you will never be serious even at death! I'm disgusted
with you, so there!" and Polly made for the door.

Eleanor made after her, saying as she ran: "I'm sure I'll never want to
take death seriously, Polly, for that is the time of all times when we
need to be cheerful and prove to our dear ones that they have nothing to
weep over--because I am of the firm belief that no one goes into
oblivion. It is simply progression, you know."

The sudden change from laughter to seriousness halted Polly's exit at the
door, and she turned to look at her friend with a strange expression in
her eyes.

"Nolla, you should have been born in April--with the most changeable
weather of the year. One moment you are too silly for words and the next
you discourse on the most serious of all subjects."

Again Eleanor laughed, teasingly: "Perhaps I should not have been born at
all. Then, my family and friends would have been saved many trials. But I
am here, you see, and they have to make the best of me."

"That is exactly what we want to accomplish, don't you see? We want to
make the best of you, but you just won't let us do it. You prefer to act
like a big ninny instead of the cleverest girl in the world."

"Always excepting you, dear!" and Eleanor bowed low.

"There you go again! Now I _am_ mad!" and Polly tried to get through the
open doorway, but her friend clung to her arm and refused to let her go.

"Wait a moment! I'll let you go as soon as I have a word with you. This
is going to be a real serious word, too," promised Eleanor.

Polly turned back. Eleanor stood pon