h, Mr. Allyne followed her lead, and, as he stood talking
with the two, made a closer survey than ever before, resolving that he
would not make this mistake again. Had he ever made it before? The
question, suddenly occurring to his inner consciousness, rather
startled him. He would not mind pouring his thoughts out to Hope, who
was so frank and jolly, but he felt rather afraid of this other girl,
whom he had once offended. Yet, the longer he compared the two, as he
stood opposite in merry conversation, addressing first one, then the
other, the more certain he felt that Hope was not the girl in whom he
had confided a few evenings since. And if not, what a donkey he had
made of himself!

He tried to remember just what had passed, and grew silent and
uncomfortable as he made the effort. How was it Dwight never mixed the
two? He began to feel that keen, observing eyes were pretty good
things to have. He should certainly cultivate his own, in future! As
this undercurrent of musings reached definite conclusion, he broke out,
boyishly,

"I'll know you apart after this, or know the reason why!"

"And how?" asked Dwight.

"Well, how do you, my boy?" was the quick counter-question.

Thus caught, the boy flushed and grinned broadly.

"Oh, I don't have to tell," he objected, with a shake of the head.

They all naturally began to insist, however, and he at length yielded,
with the outburst, "Well, if it makes anybody mad, I can't help it."

"Of course not!" laughed Allyne. "Personal remarks are bound to make
somebody mad, but that's just what makes them spicy. Proceed, young
man, proceed!"

"Well then," slowly, "just watch the two for a minute, and make them
laugh--" Of course, at this, they with the others standing near, did
break into laughter--"there! Can't you see? Hope shows all her teeth,
and a big dimple in the corner of her mouth; Faith smiles just enough
to show a little of hers, and there isn't any dimple. So, when I'm not
sure, I just say something funny, and if the mouth is big and dimpled,
I know it's Hope without any mistake. Now, I knew you'd be mad, but
what on earth ails Faith? _She_ looks madder than you do?"

It was a fact. Hope had drawn herself up, not half pleased to have the
size of her mouth--which was a sensitive feature--so questioned; but
Faith had turned entirely away with sudden coolness, miffed because she
did not look jolly, and display a dimple like the special one, the
p