Why should you make yourself look dowdy?
It's all very well--but you can't be much older than I am!" And dancing round her victim, Helena effected first one slight improvement and then another in Mrs.Friend's toilette, till the little woman, standing in uneasy astonishment before the glass to which Helena had dragged her, plucked up courage at last to put an end to the proceedings.
"No, please don't!" she said, with decision, warding off the girl's meddling hand, and putting back some of the quiet bands of hair.

"You mustn't make me look so unlike myself.

And besides--I couldn't live up to it!" Her shy smile broke out.
"Oh, yes, you could.

You're quite nice-looking.

I wonder if you'd mind telling me how old you are?
And must I always call you 'Mrs.Friend'?
It is so odd--when everybody calls each other by their Christian names." "I don't mind--I don't mind at all.