, and while Anna held the skirt of her dress, would manage to
get hold of them with the handle of a stick. There was both excitement
and triumph in these captures, and while they were going on the girls
forgot that any coolness had come between them, or that the world held
much beyond water-lilies and bulrushes. When, however, they climbed out
of the punt with their dripping prizes, and sat down on the bank to rest
a little, recollections returned.

"What a pity," thought Anna, with a sigh, "that things are not always
pleasant. Delia is nicer than any one when she is kind."

Delia, on her side, as she packed the lilies into the basket, reminded
herself that there was something she had to say to Anna, and wondered
how she should begin.

As usual, she plunged straight into the matter of which her mind was
full, and said suddenly:

"Do you ever meet your grandfather at Pynes?"

Here was the tiresome subject again! All pleasure was over now.

"No, never," replied Anna. "He gives Clara lessons on Saturdays, and
Aunt Sarah always wants me at home then."

"You are going to this picnic, I suppose?" said Delia. "Does Mrs
Forrest know that the Professor has not been asked?"

"I don't know," murmured Anna.

She glanced quickly at her companion, and saw the severe look coming
back which she always dreaded.

"Of course," continued Delia. "It does not in the least matter, as far
as he is concerned, for he would not, in any case, go; but I should have
thought his relations would have felt it a slight; and I can't
understand Mrs Palmer."

Anna was silent. She wished now that Delia had not come, though she had
enjoyed the walk so much.

"But I didn't mean to talk about that," resumed Delia, with an effort.
"What I wanted to say has nothing to do with the picnic. It's about
you, Anna, and myself."

"About me?" repeated Anna.

After all, Delia _was_ going to be angry, yet her voice sounded quite
soft and kind.

"Yes. At first I didn't mean to say anything to you, because I thought
you ought to be able to see it for yourself. And when you didn't, I was
angry, and that kept me silent. But I know now, it was wrong. People
can't see things just alike, and I ought to have been kinder, and tried
to help you more."

At this new tone of humility Anna's heart softened at once to her
friend. When she spoke like that, she felt for the moment that she
would do anything she asked--even give up the picnic.

"Oh, Del