Beth began to relent.

She sat down for the first time, taking a chair opposite Diana.
"You see," she said, artlessly, "I have no personal inclination for society, which is doubtless so large a part of your own amusement.

It seems to me artificial and insipid." "Those who view from a distance the husk of a cocoanut, have little idea of the milk within," declared Diana, softly.
"True," answered Beth.

"But I've cracked cocoanuts, and sometimes found the milk sour and tainted." "The difference you observe in cocoanuts is to be found in the various grades of society.

These are not all insipid and artificial, I assure you." "They may be worse," remarked Beth.