oclaim that, being made for good solid
work, it disdained the affectation of beauty. Plain Hannah's little
eyes twinkled affectionately at her old friend. She detached a pencil
from a chain which dangled by her side, and said tentatively--

"Subtle--yes! Good biz! Let's have a Subtler by all means."

"I--was thinking--we might have something touching upon future
possibilities. I've not quite got it yet, but something about brides
and spinsters. Future brides--budding brides--beautiful brides."

"Easy enough to have adjectives for the brides. Where do the spinsters
come in?"

"Oh, one would have to infer--subtly, of course--that they _would_ be
spinsters! That would be adjective enough. Embryo spinsters--
preparatory spinsters--p-p-probable spinsters. I have it! I have it!
`Possible Brides against Probable Spinsters!'"

"Ha!" ejaculated Hannah, and drew her forefinger slowly down her nose.
"_Good_! Top hole. Amusin', but--injudicious? Shouldn't mind one rap
myself; lead off the Probables with a cheer. But, I fear me, there'd be
brickbats floating in the air. How much would you take in coin of the
realm to go up to Vera Ruskin and invite her to play for the spinsters?
Personally I'd rather be excused."

"I'd volunteer as a start! Love to do it!"

"Ye-es! Just so. Noble of you, no doubt; but unconvincing," returned
Hannah dryly. "No! It's a fine suggestion in theory, but in practice
I'm afraid it won't work. I don't want to imperil my popularity for
good. Think of something a trifle less searching! Er--er--Slackers
against--against what? Slackers against Swotters! How would that do
for a change?"

Darsie curled her little nose.

"Dull! No scope. How would you dress?"

"Oh-h! The Swotters might have bandages round their heads, and study
notebooks between play. The Slackers would just--could just--"

"Just so! `Could just'! Too feeble, my dear! It won't do. What about
worth and charm? Might make up something out of that. Worth, solid
worth, genuine worth--"

"Moral worth!"

"That's it! Moral Worth against Charm, personal charm! That'll do it.
That'll do it! _Moral Worth against Personal Charm_. Nobody can be
offended at being asked to represent Moral Worth."

"They will, though! The female heart is desperately wicked," returned
Hannah shrewdly. "But if they do it's their own look-out. We'll
preserve a high and lofty tone, and be _surprised_! Thanks awfully, old
gi