u have at
home, and she sees you forgetting all of them because Faith has just one
thing pretty enough for you to wish for."

By this time Gladys had found her tongue. "You're just as impolite as you
can be, Vera!" she exclaimed.

"Of course. You always think people are impolite who tell you the truth;
but I explained to you that I have to. Who was impolite when you rocked the
boat, although Ernest asked you not to?"

"He was as silly as he could be to think there was any danger. Don't you
suppose I know enough not to rock it too far? And then think how impolite
he was to say right out that he would save Faith instead of me if we fell
into the water. I can tell you my father would lock him up in prison if he
didn't save me."

"Well, you aren't so precious to anybody else," returned Vera. "Why would
people want a girl around who thinks only of herself and what she wants.
I'm sure Faith and Ernest will draw a long breath when you get on the cars
to go back."

"Oh, I don't believe they will," returned Gladys, ready to cry.

"What have you done to make them glad you came? You didn't bring them
anything, although you knew they couldn't have many toys, and it was
because you were so busy thinking how much lovelier your doll was than
anything Faith could have. Then the minute Faith found one nice thing"--

"Don't say that again," interrupted Gladys. "You've said it once."

"You behaved so disagreeably that she had to give it to you."

"You have no right to talk so. The prince came up from the brook, Faith
said so."

"Oh, she was playing a game with you and she knew you understood. It isn't
pleasant to have to say such things to you, Gladys, but I'm Vera and I have
to--I shouldn't think you could lift your head up and look Faith and Ernest
in the face to-morrow morning. What must Ernest think of you!"

Gladys's cheeks were very hot. "Didn't you see how glad Faith was when she
gave--I mean when I found the prince in the bowl? I guess you haven't read
what it says on that silver cover or you wouldn't talk so."

"Oh, yes, I have. That's truth, too, but you haven't found it out yet."

"Well, I wish I had brought them something," said Gladys, after a little
pause. "Why," with a sudden thought, "there's the wishing-bowl. I'll get
something for them right now!"

She jumped out of bed, and striking a match, lighted the candle. Vera
followed her, and as Gladys seated herself on one side of the little table
that held the