“No, it doesn’t. It shows that you’re very nearly as popular as Molly Mooney. For there was only a majority of three.” “Only three! Why, you didn’t tell me that! Why, Dotty, if that’s all the difference there was in the count, it’s almost as good as being elected! Only _three_!” “Yes, that’s all. I didn’t know you’d care what the count was, if you didn’t win.” “Why, of course I care! Don’t you see that to come as close as that, shows that lots of them did want me?” Dotty knew it didn’t show quite this, but still it was an indication of willingness to have Bernice, no matter for what reason. She followed up the advantage. “Then Bernice, if you realise that, don’t you see that next time it might be a winning vote for you?” “Yes, it encourages me to keep on trying. Oh, Dotty, I have tried,—tried, I mean, to be so nice and gay and pleasant that they would like me.” “I believe you have, Bernice. And I want you to promise me to keep on trying. Now, see here, give Dolly and me another chance. You bargained with her that she should have till the first of January to keep her part of the bargain. Now, here you’re turning her down in the middle of December!” “That’s so. That isn’t fair.” “No, it isn’t. And you’re always fair. Will you stick to your own bargain, and give her till the first of the New Year?” “Of course I will. You tell her so. And, say, Dotty, I do want to do this thing right, you know. I want to be liked for myself, not because Dolly’s booming me. Don’t you think I can?” “Of course you can, Bernie. You’ve only to be your own self,—your nicest self, you know,—and not give way to those stuck-up airs you used to show so much. Just be affable and willing to chum, and people will like you fast enough. Now, I must run. I want to tell Dolly what you’ve said, before she cries her eyes out. Good-bye, and thank you lots for this little talk,—we’ll have another some day soon.” CHAPTER XX THE CARNIVAL QUEEN “FATHER,” said Bernice Forbes as the two sat at dinner that night, “are you a popular man?” “Bless my soul, Bernie! What do you mean?” “Just that, Dad. Are you popular among your friends and business associates?” “Well, that’s a leading question, my girl; and I’m not sure I want to answer it. For, to tell the truth, Daughter, I’m not so very popular,—as popularity goes.” “Why aren’t you?” and Bernice looked serious. “Why are you asking?” “For a good reason, Daddy. Please tell me.” “Well, then, Bernie, I’m not popular because I’m not willing to forget myself. To be honest, I’m a man of decided opinions,—among others, a pretty good opinion of myself,—and that sort of a nature doesn’t command admiration from the crowd.” “Don’t you care, Father?” “Not much. I feel sometimes as if I’d like to be more chummy with my men friends; then I’m apt to say something to provoke them, and they rather evade me.”