intends her to think so. And then, when he leaves off paying her
attention"--

"Which will be as soon as a prettier girl makes her appearance,"
interrupted Helen.

"As soon as he leaves off paying her attention," resumed Sophy, "she
will have many and many a heartache, and then she will harden
herself into being a flirt, a feminine flirt, as he is a masculine
flirt. Poor girl!"

"I don't like to hear you speak so of Harry," said Amy, looking up
at Sophy.

"And I don't like to have to speak so, Amy, for I love him dearly.
He is a good, kind brother, but I do think him vain, and I think he
hardly knows the misery, the crime, to which indulged vanity may
lead him."

Helen yawned.

"Oh! do you think we may ring for tea? Sleeping after dinner makes
me so feverish."

"Yes, surely. Why should not we?" said the more energetic Sophy,
pulling the bell with some determination.

"Tea, directly, Parker," said she authoritatively, as the man
entered the room.