s really a relief to meet a slighter acquaintance to whom you can tell
the whole history of the painting, or the last tennis party for the
first time.

I do not believe that "familiarity breeds contempt" between people who
are worth knowing and loving, but I do think that girls are all the
better for having certain chambers in their hearts, into which even the
special "intimate" may not enter; and for being by herself at times,
instead of continually hunting up a companion, for hours which would
otherwise be solitary. Girls don't think enough, and how can they if
they are constantly in the company of those who think no more, and so
seldom by themselves.

You would become closer friends if you took time apart to progress
individually, each in the direction her character or opportunities point
out.

There may be something, too, of undue influence of two opposite
characters or tastes when both are young and pliable, but of this I do
not now speak.

And what is the end of the ordinary friendship of neighbourhood? One of
the girls leaves the place and gets elsewhere a new set of the little
social interests that bound them together. They are not worth writing
about, though they might have taken hours to talk them over, and having
less and less in common, her friends drift apart through lack of a
strong tie to bind them together, though, perhaps, they never quite
drop.

A third and somewhat higher class of friendship is that formed over
association in work, or some deep common interest.

This will occur when girls meet to study some subject of real interest
to both, not for the mere sake of "doing something" after their school
life has closed, but for the earnest use to which they intend to put
their requirements.

It may be art in one of its branches, or music, which, indeed, is art,
too. One of the most delightful of friendships I ever heard of was
cemented over the task of acquiring the "accomplishment of verse."

Or two girls may throw themselves heart and soul into benevolent
Christian work, not, as I said before, for the mere sake of "doing
something," but because they really long to help their fellow-creatures
physically, morally, spiritually, for Christ's sake. Meeting in this
way, and fitted by natural character to be friends, they will probably
become so, and, unless some quarrel arise, caused by earnest difference
of opinion, will, I think, remain so longer than any I have mentioned
before.

And now I c