He would not mind pouring his thoughts out to Hope, who
was so frank and jolly, but he felt rather afraid of this other girl,
whom he had once offended. Yet, the longer he compared the two, as he
stood opposite in merry conversation, addressing first one, then the
other, the more certain he felt that Hope was not the girl in whom he
had confided a few evenings since. And if not, what a donkey he had
made of himself!
He tried to remember just what had passed, and grew silent and
uncomfortable as he made the effort. How was it Dwight never mixed the
two? He began to feel that keen, observing eyes were pretty good
things to have. He should certainly cultivate his own, in future! As
this undercurrent of musings reached definite conclusion, he broke out,
boyishly,
"I'll know you apart after this, or know the reason why!"
"And how?" asked Dwight.
"Well, how do you, my boy?" was the quick counter-question.
Thus caught, the boy flushed and grinned broadly.
"Oh, I don't have to tell," he objected, with a shake of the head.
They all naturally began to insist, however, and he at length yielded,
with the outburst, "Well, if it makes anybody mad, I can't help it."
"Of course not!" laughed Allyne. "Personal remarks are bound to make
somebody mad, but that's just what makes them spicy. Proceed, young
man, proceed!"
"Well then," slowly, "just watch the two for a minute, and make them
laugh--" Of course, at this, they with the others standing near, did
break into laughter--"there! Can't you see? Hope shows all her teeth,
and a big dimple in the corner of her mouth; Faith smiles just enough
to show a little of hers, and there isn't any dimple.
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