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gave her friend time to pluck out the quivering dart, while she rattled on in her pretty, twittering tones, as if all unconscious of Lizzie’s whitening cheek and anxious expression.

“Do you mean he cares for her?” she managed to bring out presently; and although Carrie had wandered miles away from her subject meanwhile, they both knew what was meant by the question.

“Rather! My dear child, don’t you know it is your pretty face that has come in the way of these two young people? I’m ashamed of you! You ought to know better at your age. All Green Street calls you names, and Miss Lauder is as wild as she can be, and Mr. Campbell thinks she wants to snub him, and so he gets the sulks; and you—silly old Greek statue with pink cheeks that you are!—never see an inch before your nose, but just take what comes, and do no end of mischief without knowing it.”

“Are you really in earnest, Carrie, or is this one of your jokes? You know I never could tell at school what you meant, and you always say I am so literal-minded. Do explain it to me.”

“Oh, this is no joke, I can assure you! And if you don’t mind my speaking plainly for once, I would like to say to you—Give him up—it’s