means Rose's illness could have been avoided, for
it was not a very agreeable task to stay in that close sick room,
listening to the complaints of her fault-finding sister, who tossed
and turned and fretted, from morning until night, sometimes wishing
herself dead, and then crying because she "wanted something, and
didn't know what."

"Oh, dear," said she, one evening several days after the commencement
of her illness, "how provoking to be obliged to lie here moping with
the dullest of all dull company, when there's Mrs. Russell's party
next week, and I've such a lovely dress to wear. Why ain't I as
strong and healthy as you? though I wouldn't be so fat for any thing."

Jenny knew that whatever answer she could make would not be the right
one, so she said nothing, and after a moment Rose again, spoke.

"I'll go to that party sick or well. I wouldn't miss of it for any
thing."

This time Jenny looked up in surprise, asking why her sister was so
particularly anxious to attend the party.

"Because," returned Rose, "Mary Howard will be there, and you know as
well as I how awkward she'll appear,--never was in any kind of society
in her life."

"I don't see what inducement that can be for you to expose your
health," said Jenny, and Rose continued: "I want to see Ida mortified
once, for she might know better than to bring a green, country girl
here, setting her up as something wonderful, and expecting every body
to believe it just because _Miss Selden_ said so. Didn't you tell me
there was some one continually going to inquire after Mary?"

"Yes," answered Jenny; whereupon Rose got very angry, complaining that
no one called upon her except that little simpleton Ella, who only
came, when she thought there was a chance of seeing Henry!

"Seems to me you've changed your mind with regard to Ella," said
Jenny.

"No I hain't either," answered Rose, "I always thought her silly, and
now she hangs round Henry so much I'm thoroughly disgusted. But
see,--there's Henry now, at Mr. Selden's gate,--with another
gentleman."

The moon was shining brightly, and looking out, Jenny saw Billy Bender
and her brother mounting the steps which led to Mr. Selden's door.

"It's funny that they should be together," thought she, while Rose
continued, "Nothing will surprise me now, if Henry has got to running
after her. I am glad George Moreland is away, though I fancy he's too
much good sense to swallow a person, just because Ida and his ol