"No, I'm not," cried Miss Ellen, coming out of her reveries. "Only
yesterday I heard some one say that you were very fine-looking."
"Who said it?"
"Never mind," Ellen said, gayly.
"Do tell me, sister," he entreated; "that's a good girl."
"It was somebody whose opinion you care a great deal about."
"I think you might tell me," said Mr. David, aggrieved. "Not that I
care, because it isn't true, and was only said to please you. People
know how to get round you, Ellen. But I'd just like to know."
"Guess," said Miss Ellen.
"Well, was it--Mrs. Smily?"
"Oh, dear, no! It was somebody very important in Old Chester. It was
Mrs. Barkley."
"Oh," said Mr. David.
"A compliment from her means so much, you know," Miss Ellen reminded
him.
David was silent.
"But all the same," Ellen said, "you do need a coat, dear brother. I'm
afraid I've been selfish not to notice it."
Mr. David made no reply.
Miss Ellen beamed at him. "You always look well, in my eyes: but it
pleases me to have you well dressed, too."
"Well, then, to please you, I'll dress up," said Mr. David, earnestly.