"I won't tell Luke." "Insult upon insult!" she exclaimed, strangely excited.

"You know that Luke Roy is nothing to me, Mr.Massingbird; you know that I have never in my life vouchsafed to give him an encouraging word.

But, much as I despise him--much as he is beneath me--I would rather submit to have my face touched by him than by you." What more she would have said was interrupted by the reappearance of Mrs.Verner.That lady's ears had caught the sound of the contest; of the harsh words; and she felt inexpressibly surprised.
"What has happened ?" she asked.

"What is it, Rachel ?" "She pricked herself with one of the needles," said John, taking the explanation upon himself; "and then said I did it." Mrs.Verner looked from one to the other.

Rachel had turned quite pale.
John laughed; he knew his mother did not believe him.
"The truth is, mother, I began teasing Rachel about her admirer, Luke.
It made her angry." "What absurdity!" exclaimed Mrs.Verner testily, to Rachel.