"Do please let the poor old lady live on and enjoy herself. You wouldn't like to be hunted out of the world to suit anybody's plans. And now," said Nellie, "we reach the fourth subject, which I flatter myself has some connection with a certain person who is quite used to being regarded as an afterthought." "Three persons--Kezia, Bessie, Robert. They must go, all of them." "Really this is the last straw!" cried Nellie. "I was almost certain I should be at least honourably mentioned." "But I am talking to you, not about you. I'm telling you my secrets--and I wouldn't do that to anyone but you. Nellie, you don't think I am playing with your affections?" "I'll not listen any longer. I couldn't expect to come first, but I did hope to be placed last." "If you would walk after dark--" "I'm not a ghost; besides, I will not be ashamed to stand in the light." "Then we might talk about something that means love," said George, who, being wound up for that sentence, was bound to finish it. "Oh, George!" exclaimed one of the parrots. "I wonder what it would be like," said Nellie, when she had done laughing. "You teach those birds to say things," he muttered crossly. "They are so intelligent. That one can say, 'Nellie's the belle of the ball.' Even that sort of compliment is better than none." "I am thinking, Nellie, that you like chocolates. I had better get you some," George continued, believing it might be threepence well invested. "That wouldn't be a bad idea." "And you would take them as a compliment from me?" "I'll take all I can get," she promised. "You know, Nellie, I'm older than you, but I'm reliable. I'm not much good at silly talk, but I do mean what I say. I can quite understand some men would say very silly things to you, but I can't." "People will talk rubbish when they are in love," she admitted. "It's a very serious matter. I wouldn't joke about such a thing," said George. "Of course, when a man tells his own particular girl she is a star, a flower, an angel, and a goddess, he is only joking; but most girls are so sweet tempered they can take a joke." "I never made a joke," cried George. "And I hope you will never try." "But I'm full of affection." "I have never seen any one quite so seriously in love as you are." "I'm so glad you can see it. You have quite sensible eyes, Nellie, and I think you may improve a good deal as you get older. I am easy-going, and you are pleasant, so we ought to get along very well." "You are so much in love," cried Nellie, "that you can't help saying silly things. You regard the person that you love as the most angelic creature possible; and angels are always masculine in spite of lovers' talk." "I take people as I find them; I never look for their faults," said the virtuous George. "Try! If you could discover a few faults in the person that you love, it might help you to stop saying, 'I am,' and to begin learning, 'Thou art,'" replied Nellie, as she ran off towards the house.