"Why--let me see. 'David Harum' and 'The History of Ancient Greece'
-that's all I think. And oh, yes--I got a French dictionary on my
way home this afternoon."
"Oh! A French dictionary!" commented father.
"It isn't books, Horace," remarked Aunt Nettie, incomprehensibly.
"It's that O'Neill girl."
"What's that O'Neill girl?" demanded Missy, in a low, suppressed
voice.
"Well, if you ask me, her head's full of--"
But a swift gesture from mother brought Aunt Nettie to a sudden
pause.
But Missy, suspecting an implied criticism of her friend, began with
hauteur:
"I implore you to desist from making any insinuation against Tess
O'Neill. I'm very proud to be epris with her!" (Missy made the
climactic word rhyme with "kiss.")
There was a little hush after this outburst from the usually
reserved Missy. Father and mother stared at her and then at each
other. But Aunt Nettie couldn't refrain from a repetition of the
climactic word;
"E-priss!" And she actually giggled!
At the sound, Missy felt herself growing "deathly mute, even to the
lips", but she managed to maintain a mien of intense composure.
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