"You are supposing the case of my return, or of Christmas intervening, or--a present of some kind, I suppose."
"Well, no; not exactly. Although you know I am always broke--"
"Because papa insists upon your putting some money in the bank every month--"
"Yes, and the result is that I never get my head above water. I owe you twenty now."
"Which I never expect to recover, because you know I always get silly about Christmas and 'forgive thee thy debts.'"
"But I'll be better if I bring you gloves and silk stockings."
"I'll give you the money!" he said, heroically. "Will you borrow it of me or of mamma?" I asked, with a chuckle at the family financiering which always goes on in this manner.
"Now don't make fun of me! _You_ don't know what it is to be hard up."
"Don't I, though?" I said, indignantly. "Oh--oh! Catch me!"
He seized my handle-bar and righted me before I fell off.
"See what you did by saying I never was hard up," I said. "I'll tell you what, Teddy. You needn't give me the money. I'll bring you some gloves and stockings!"
"Oh, I say, honest? Oh, but you're the right kind of a sister! I'll never forget that as long as I live. You do look so nice on your wheel. You sit so straight and--"
I saw a milkman coming. We three were the only objects in sight, yet I headed for him.
"Get out of my way," I shrieked at him. "I'm a beginner. Turn off!"
He lashed his horse and cut down a side street.
"What a narrow escape," I sighed. "How glad I am I happened to think of that."
I looked up pleasantly at Ted. He was biting his lips and he looked raging.
"You are the most hopeless girl I ever saw!" he burst out. "I wish you didn't own a wheel."
"Stockings," I said, looking straight ahead. "Silk stockings with polka dots embroidered on them, No. 10."
"I ride so well," I proceeded. "I sit up so straight and look so nice."
"Gloves," I went on, still without looking at him. "White and pearl ones for evening, and russet gloves for the street, No. 8."
"Oh, quit, won't you? I'm sorry I said that. But if you only knew how you mortify me."
"Cheer up, Tedcastle. I am going away, you know. And when I come back you will either have got over caring so much or I will be more of a lady."
"I'm sorry you are going," said my brother. "But as you are going, perhaps you will let me use your rooms while you are gone. Your bed is the best one I ever slept in, and your study would be bully for the boys when they come to see me."
