believe he likes her."

"You don't know," murmured Fanny, wiping her wet eyes. "I didn't tell
you she came to see me."

"She did!"

"Yes; it was after we had all been there, and mother was going on so
about the furniture. It all seemed so mean and sordid to me, as if we
were trying to--well, you know."

Ellen nodded:

"Of course I do. That's why you wouldn't let her have your furniture.
I gloried in your spunk, Fan."

"But I did let her have it, Ellen."

"You did? Well!"

"I'll tell you how it happened. Mother'd gone down to the village,
and Jim was off somewhere--he's never in the house day-times any
more; I'd been working on the new curtains all day, and I was just
putting them up in the parlor, when she came.... Ellen, sometimes I
think perhaps we don't understand that girl. She was just as sweet--
If it wasn't for-- If I hadn't hardened my heart against her almost
the first thing, you know, I don't believe I could help loving her."

"Fanny!" cried Ellen protestingly. "She certainly is a soft-soap
artist. My mother says she is so refined; and Mrs. Daggett is always
chanting her praises."

"Think of all she's done for the village," urged Fanny. "I want to be
just, even if--"

"Well, I don't!" cried Ellen. "I just enjoy being real spiteful
sometimes--especially when another girl gobbles all the men in sight;
and I know I'm prettier than she is. It's just because she's new
and--and stylish and rich. What made you give in about your
furniture, Fan?"

"Because I--"

Fanny stopped short, puckering her forehead.

"I don't know whether I can explain it, Ellen; but I notice it every
time I am with her. There's something--"

"Good gracious, Fan! She must have hypnotized you."

"Be quiet, Ellen, I'm trying to think just how it happened. She
didn't say so very much--just sat down and watched me, while I sewed
rings on the curtains. But the first thing I knew, I piped up and
said: 'Do you really want that old furniture of mine so much?' And
she said-- Well, no matter what she said; it was more the way she
looked. I guess I'd have given her the eyes out of my head, or any
old thing."

"That's just what I told you," interrupted Ellen. "There are people
like that. Don't you remember that horrid old what's-his-name in
'Trilby'?"

"Don't be silly, Ellen," said Fanny rebukingly. "Well, I took her up
to my room and showed her my bed and bureau and washstand. There were
some chairs, too; mother got them all fo