.

"You should worry!" declared Bill. "You haven't enough wit to do any
great harm. Or, at least, if you have, you've compensating foolishness--I
mean--that is--"

"There, there, Billee," counselled Patty, "you'd better stop,--you're
just getting in deeper with every word."

"Oh, it's all right," and Beatrice shrugged her shoulders, "I need to
be brought up with a round turn now and then. I'm too intellectual,--I
know."

She purposely assumed a vacant, stupid expression and folded her hands
helplessly in her lap.

"She's a hummer," Channing remarked in an aside to Patty, as further
hilarity followed Betty's fooling.

"I like her lots," Patty returned. "She's a frivolous little thing, but
thoroughly sweet and dear. She adores Fleurette."

"Aha, little mother! So that's the way to your good graces, is it? I too
adore Fleurette."

"But you're already in my good graces,--and have been for years."

"So? Then,"--Chick's tone grew wheedlesome,--"invite me up here
often,--won't you?"

"Now I _should_ have thought you meant because of my daughter's charms,
if your glance hadn't wandered toward Miss Gale, even as you spoke!"

"Both, fair lady,--both. I adore Fleurette as the delightful daughter of
a delightful mother. May I not also admire the delightful neighbour?"

"Indeed, you may. And you have a standing invitation to come up here
as often as you like. I'm going to entertain a lot this spring and
summer,--and you're a really useful house guest"

"Thanks, indeed! How do I qualify?"

"By your nice, kind, entertaining qualities. You're an all-round nice
man, Chick,--and I don't care who knows my opinion. And now, do you go
and make up to Elise."

"Yes, ma'am. Between you and me, ma'am,--she's a bit miffed--not?"

"Hush! Run along and make yourself so agreeable that she'll forget
everybody else."

Of a truth Elise was a little disturbed. For she was of a jealous and
self-seeking disposition, and resented any attentions that were not given
to her. The advent of this bright and sparkling young girl,--probably
three or four years younger than herself, made her suddenly feel
neglected, and it displeased her.

Mona noticed it, and smiled to herself. But Patty truly regretted it,
for she had taken a decided fancy to Beatrice Gale, and as they were
neighbours, she knew the girl would be often at Wistaria Porch. And as
she had planned to have Elise with her often, also, she saw breakers
ahead, unless the two could