w
name! Isn't it all splendid! And to be so rich and to belong to a first
class family! It _does_ make a difference. I've been writing to mamma
all about it. It ought to be put in a book. But I liked you so from the
very first, and you were so good to me. But the girls kept hectoring me
and saying mamma wouldn't approve. She's very particular about the
friends I make, because I shall go in the best society when I get
introduced. I think papa will give me a ball. It is real stylish to have
it at Sherry's. And I want you and your sister; only you ought to look
more alike, being twins; I'm just as glad as if something grand had
happened to me. And your father ought to give you a splendid party at
Crawford House. I suppose it is very fine and all that."

Her face was in a glow and her dull brown eyes had a glint in them that
improved them very much.

"I am just the same as when I was Lilian Boyd," she began. But Alice
interrupted--"Oh, no, you're not, and you will soon find it out. It's
all right, too. Rich people _do_ have more chances, and seeing the world
and mixing with high up style gives you an air. Why you couldn't imagine
that plain little Mrs. Boyd with her meek air going to dinners and
balls, and she never could have earned money enough to dress any. That's
what tells. And when you can't go into society or meet nice people but
just stay at home and work or teach--what fun is there in life? Why I'd
rather be dead."

"I should want to be alive even if I were Lilian Boyd. I think it is a
grand world, and there is so much happening all the time. And I don't
care so much about being rich--"

"But you _will_ and your mother is so lovely. Major Crawford looks
rather stern and that handsome young man--what a pity he's to follow the
sea, unless he gets to be an Admiral, and then he'll have to be quite
old. I'd rather be at West Point. Oh, I wish I had a brother."

Marguerite looked pityingly at the silly girl. Then she asked about the
play. Miss Nevins had been to the theatre and wanted to remodel the
simple little story, and there had been some warm arguments.

"I must go and see Miss Arran." There was no use disputing proprieties
with the overwise girl. But she hoped they had all begun a Happy New
Year.

Alice followed her into the hall. "You are coming back to school and now
we can be real good friends. Oh, I just love you and I'm so glad all
this happened to you." Before Marguerite could evade it she had given