he old lady from her corner.

"My dear, you know nothing about it," said the old gentleman.

"Yes, I do," said the old lady. "I know all about it. Whatever she
does a young lady ought not to be perverse. I do hate perversity. I
am sure that hole up there must be open, Sir, for the wind does come
in so powerful." Colonel Stubbs again jumped up and poked at the
ventilator.

In the meantime Ayala was laughing so violently that she could with
difficulty prevent herself from making a noise, which, she feared,
would bring down increased wrath upon her from the old lady. That
feigned scolding from the Colonel at once brought back upon her the
feeling of sudden and pleasant intimacy which she had felt when he
had first come and ordered her to dance with him at the ball in
London. It was once again with her as though she knew this man almost
more intimately, and certainly more pleasantly, than any of her other
acquaintances. Whatever he said she could answer him now, and pretend
to scold him, and have her joke with him as though no offer had ever
been made. She could have told him now all the story of that turned
dress, if that subject had come naturally to her, or have laughed
with him at her own old boxes, and confided to him any other of the
troubles of her poverty, as if they were jokes which she could share
at any rate with him. Then he spoke again. "I do abominate a perverse
young woman," he said. Upon this Ayala could no longer constrain
herself, but burst into loud laughter.

After a while the two old people became quite familiar, and there
arose a contest, in which the lady took part with the Colonel, and
the old man protected Ayala. The Colonel spoke as though he were
quite in earnest, and went on to declare that the young ladies of
the present time were allowed far too much licence. "They never have
their own bread to earn," he said, "and they ought to make themselves
agreeable to other people who have more to do."

"I quite agree with you, Sir," said the old lady. "They should run
about and be handy. I like to see a girl that can jump about the
house and make herself useful."

"Young ladies ought to be young ladies," said the old man, putting
his mouth for a moment up out of his comforter.

"And can't a young lady be useful and yet be a young lady?" said the
Colonel.

"It is her special province to be ornamental," said the old
gentleman. "I like to see young ladies ornamental. I don't think
young ladies ou