Why doesn't he write to you ?" "He--he ?--oh, Patty, that's the trouble." "Good! Now we're getting at it.

How is that the trouble ?" "Shall I tell you everything ?" and poor Azalea looked doubtful as to what to do.
"Yes, dear," Patty said, gently, fearing even yet that an ill-advised word would interrupt or prevent this long-deferred explanation.
"Well, you see,--oh, Patty,--I'm a wicked, deceitful girl--" "Out with it," urged Patty, not greatly scared by this tragic beginning,--for Azalea was prone to exaggerate.
"I was home, you know, at Horner's Corners--" A knock on the door was a most unwelcome interruption.
"Don't answer," Patty whispered, "it's Elise,--I heard her step." But Elise was not so easily rebuffed.

"Let me in," she called, "I know you're in there, Azalea,--you and Patty." Patty went to the door, and opened it slightly.

"Go away now, Elise, please," she said, "Azalea and I are having a little confidential chat." "Not so confidential that I can't be in it too, is it ?" and speaking lightly, Elise brushed past Patty and into the room.
"Why, Azalea," she exclaimed, "what _is_ the matter?
You look like a tragedy queen!" For Azalea, annoyed at the intrusion, stood, hands clenched, and eyes scowling, and she said angrily, "I don't think people ought to come into other people's rooms, uninvited! I don't call _that_ good manners!" "You're not supposed to know what good manners are," said Elise, giving her a condescending look.

"And even if you think you do,--don't try to teach _me_!" "Oh, Elise," said Patty, reproachfully, "_don't_ talk like that! It reflects on you even more than on Zaly." "Oh, yes, stand up for her,--every one has gone mad over our 'heroine'! I call it disgraceful to be mixed up with that movie concern, and let me tell you, Azalea Thorpe, if you think Mr.Van Reypen is going to overlook or forget that, you're greatly mistaken! You know, Patty,--our Western friend here, is already aspiring toward Philip--" "Hush, Elise," Patty returned, "better stop before you make a goose of yourself! Phil is aspiring to Azalea's favour, is the truer way to put it!" "Oh, no, I can't believe that," laughed Elise, "Phil has too much self-respect!".