g up from her plate
with an innocent look. "I do not understand you, my dear boy."

"Oh, do you not?" replied the dear boy, mimicking her tones, and
twisting his amiable countenance into an altogether indescribable
expression. "Do you imagine your conduct towards the lovely Ada was
not observed and commented upon by our mother and stuck-up sisters? If
so, pray rid yourself at once of such a delusion, for I tell you, Win,
there's a storm looming in the distance for you and for me."

Winnie pouted.

"So be it!" she cried defiantly; "I don't care. I am no hypocrite,
Dick, and must act as I feel. I did not wish Ada to come to our party.
I hate her with my whole heart, and I believe in just letting her see
such is the case."

Dick ran his hand through his shock of hair, and opened his eyes as
widely as he possibly could. "My word, we're waxing eloquent," he
observed approvingly. "Go it, little sister; you're doing first-rate;"
and he helped himself liberally to another supply of souffle as he
spoke.

"What a tease you are!" said Winnie, pushing aside her plate with a
gesture of petulance; "you know I am in earnest, not in fun."

"True, my queen" (with a mock bow), "therefore I shall no longer
descend to vulgar jesting. But seriously, Win, I tell you frankly the
mother is awfully angry at us. You did not study her face, perhaps,
but I watched closely, and saw a regular thunder-cloud on her brow all
night. How could it be otherwise, when she noticed your steady
avoidance of her favourite and my open rudeness?"

"I enjoyed your open rudeness vastly, Dick," interrupted the girl, with
a twinkle sparkling in her eye and a mischievous smile on her lip. "I
could have hugged you every time you danced with Nellie, and when I saw
you trooping your boys up to her. Why, she was quite a belle amongst
you all."

"Yes; I flatter myself we trotted her out very well, and the fellows
all agree she is good fun. But oh, what a dodging I had to manage my
point! Every few minutes I descried the mother bearing down upon me,
and was obliged to skeedaddle." Dick's language never was remarkable
for elegance.

"Well, I am not the least wee bit sorry for my behaviour," said Winnie,
rising as she heard the sound of approaching footsteps; "and if I am to
get a scolding I must just get it. You'll be able to console me when
it is over, will you not? Meantime I intend to forget it all in sleep,
so--good-night, Dick;" and the litt