"I hope I shall be in a more agreeable mood when you come next
time," smiled Miss Sterling.

"I hope so," replied Polly soberly.

The door had shut, the light footfalls were growing faint, when
Juanita Sterling began to sob. Her lips twitched as she tried to
suppress the tears. It was no use, they would have their way, and
she finally hid her face in her hands and let them go.

"Why, Miss Nita! Dear Miss Nita!" Polly had her arms around her
friend's neck, crooning love words.

"I--I--didn't hear you knock!" apologized Miss Sterling.

"Never mind, you darling! I only gave one little tap--and then
I--came in. You don't care, do you? If you do, I'll go right
away. But I'm sorry you feel so bad! You're not sick, are you?"

"N-no,--oh, no!"

"Well, don't tell me, unless you'd rather. Sometimes I feel better
to tell mother when things trouble me."

Getting no answer, she went on.

"Should you like to have mother come over?"

"Mercy--no! Don't tell anybody, Polly,--will you?--what a fool I
am!"