“You idiotic boy, take that pillow out of your mouth, and tell me the whole thing,--what he said, what she said, and what they both did. It was all fun of course, but I'd like to hear about it.” “It may have been fun on her part, but it was solemn earnest on his, for he went it strong I assure you. I'd no idea the old fellow was so sly, for he appeared smashed with you, you know, and there he was finishing up with this unknown lady. I wish you could have heard him go on, with tears in his eyes”-- “How do you know if you didn't see him?” “Oh, well, that's only a figure of speech; I thought so from his voice. He was ever so tender, and took to Dutch when English was too cool for him. It was really touching, for I never heard a fellow do it before; and, upon my word, I should think it was rather a tough job to say that sort of thing to a pretty woman, mask or no mask.” “What did she say?” asked Dolly, with her hands pressed tight together, and a curious little quiver of the lips. “She said, No, as short as pie-crust; and when he rushed out with his heart broken all to bits apparently, she just burst out laughing, and went and polked at a two-forty pace for half an hour.” Dora unclasped her hands, took a long breath, and cried out,-- “She was a wicked, heartless hussy! and if I know her, I'll never speak to her again; for if he was really in earnest, she ought to be killed for laughing at him.” “So ought you, then, for making fun of poor Fisher when he went down on his knees behind the huckleberry bushes last summer. He was earnest enough, for he looked as black-and-blue as his berries when he got home. Your theory is all right, ma'am, but your practice is all bosh.” “Hold your tongue about that silly thing. Boys in college think they know everything, can do everything, have everything, and only need beckon, and all womankind will come and adore. It made a man of him, and he'll thank me for taking the sentimental nonsense and conceit out of him. You will need just such a lesson at the rate you go on, and I hope Fan will give it to you.” “When the lecture is over, I'll go on with the joke, if you want to know it.” “Isn't this enough?” “Oh, bless you, no! the cream of it is to come. What would you give to know who the lady was?” “Five dollars, down, this minute.” “Very good, hand 'em over, and I'll tell you.” “Truly, Dick?” “Yes, and prove it.” Dolly produced her purse, and, bill in hand, sat waiting for the disclosure. Dick rose with a melo-dramatic bow,-- “Lo, it was I.” “That's a great fib, for I saw you flying about the whole evening.” “You saw my dress, but I was not in it.” “Oh! oh! who _did_ I keep going to, then? and what _did_ I do to make a fool of myself, I wonder?” Purse and bill dropped out of Dolly's hand, and she looked at her brother with a distracted expression of countenance. Dick rubbed his hands and chuckled.