"
"It is awkward. What are you going to say to Polly Singleton?'
"I don't know. I suppose you could not help me, Annie?"
"I certainly couldn't. I never have a penny to bless myself with. I
don't know how I scrape along."
Rosalind sighed. Her pretty face looked absolutely careworn.
"Don't fret, Rose," said Miss Day after a pause; "whether you have
paid for the coral or not, you can wear it at the Elliot-Smith's."
"No, alas! that's just what I can't do. The fact is Polly is turning
out awfully mean. She has come back this time with apparently an
unlimited supply of pocket money, and she has been doing her best to
induce me to sell her the coral back again."
"Well, why don't you? I'm sure I would, rather than be worried about
it."
Miss Merton's face flushed angrily.
"Nothing will induce me to give up the coral," she said. "I bought my
new white dress to wear with it. I have looked forward all during the
holidays to showing it to Meta Elliot-Smith. It's the sort of thing to
subdue Meta, and I want to subdue her. No, nothing will induce me to
part with my lovely coral now."
"Well, my dear, keep it, of course, and pay for it how you can. It's
your own affair. You have not yet explained to me, however, why, when
it is in your possession, you can't wear it with your new dress at the
Elliot-Smiths' next week.
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