I mean is," she added and now at last, as with a
supreme impatience " that her being able to make
him out a little a person who could give cause for
jealousy would evidently help her, since she's afraid
of him, to do him in her sister's mind a useful ill
turn."

Susan Shepherd perceived in this explanation such
signs of an appetite for motive as would have sat
gracefully even on one of her own New England
heroines. It was seeing round several corners; but
that was what New England heroines did, and it
was moreover interesting for the moment to make
out how many really her young friend had under
taken to see round. Finally, too, weren't they brav
ing the deeps? They got their amusement where
they could. " Isn't it only," she asked, "rather
probable she'd see that Kate's knowing him as
(what's the pretty old word?) volage?"

"Well?" She hadn't filled out her idea, but
neither, it seemed, could Milly.

"Well, might but do what that often does by all
our blessed little laws and arrangements at least; ex
cite Kate's own sentiment instead of depressing it."

The idea was bright, yet the girl but beautifully
stared. " Kate's own sentiment? Oh, she didn't
speak of that. I don't think," she added as if she
had been unconsciously giving a wrong impression,
"I don't think Mrs. Condrip imagines she's in love."

It made Mrs. Stringham stare in turn. " Then
what's her fear?"

[[222]]

p221 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p222w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p223

v?