Rosalind had rather a nervous manner. She bit her lips now; her baby-blue eyes looked angry, her innocent face wore a frown. She dropped her hold of Annie Day’s arm. Miss Day was one of the most commonplace girls at Heath Hall. She had neither good looks nor talent; she had no refinement of nature nor had she those rugged but sterling qualities of honesty and integrity of purpose which go far to cover a multitude of other defects. “I wish you wouldn’t speak to me in that way,” said Rosalind with a little gasp. “I hate people to laugh at me, and I can’t stand sneers.” “Oh, no! you’re such a dear little innocent baby. Of course, I can quite understand. And does she suppose I’ll ruffle her pretty little feathers? No, not I. I’d rather invent a new cradle song for you, Rosie, dear.” “Don’t, don’t!” said Rosalind. “Look here, Annie, I must say something— yes, I must. I _hate_ Maggie Oliphant!” “You hate Miss Oliphant?” Annie Day stood still, turned round and stared at her companion. “When did this revolution take place, my dear? What about Rose and Maggie sitting side by side at dinner? And Rose creeping away all by herself to Maggie’s room and angling for an invitation to cocoa, and trying hard, very hard, to become a member of the Dramatic Society, just because Maggie acts so splendidly. Has it not been _Maggie— Maggie—_ ever since the term began, until we girls, who were not in love with this quite too charming piece of perfection, absolutely hated the sound of her name? Oh, Rose, what a fickle baby you are. I am ashamed of you!” “Don’t!” said Rose again. She linked her hand half timidly in Miss Day’s arm. Miss Day was almost a head and shoulders above the little, delicate, fairy-like creature. “I suppose I can’t help changing my mind,” she said. “I _did_ love Maggie, of course I loved her— she fascinated me; but I don’t care for her— no, I _hate_ her now!” “How vehemently you pronounce that naughty word, my fair Rosalind. You must give me some reasons for this grievous change in your feelings.” “She snubbed me,” said Rosalind; “she made little of me. I offered to do her a kindness and she repulsed me. Who cares to be made little of and repulsed?”