“My name is Lou Willis and I hate funerals,” said the girl.  “I can’t see why in the world you ever wrote that petition.”

The words startled Faith; they were so sharp and unfeeling.

“Why—­you signed the petition,” she said after a minute.

“Oh, of course I signed it, but can’t you see why, you ninny?  If we get a day off I’ll go somewhere on a lark!  You don’t catch this chicken attending any funerals.”

Faith was so shocked this time that she could not speak, but the girl rattled on without apparently noticing it.

“I’m not one of your milk and water Sunday school girls!  If I ever get religious at all I’ll join the Salvation Army!  Do you know that’s a great scheme, that Salvation Army?  You get six dollars a week and your husband picked out for you.  Really, that’s a great inducement, Marvin, when you come to think of it!  I’d never be able to pick out a husband myself.  I’m what they call too—­too—­oh—­you know—­fickle!”

Faith forgot to eat, she was so astonished.  This was a type of woman that she had never dreamed of.  Was she joking or serious?  Faith could not decide.  As she sat pondering and staring, her companion went on talking calmly.

“That Maggie Brady has it in for you, they tell me—­but say, for goodness sake, how did you manage to cut her out with Jim Denton?  Why, he’s been sweet on Mag for at least three months, and that’s a long time for Jim.  I really began to think he was serious.”

She paused to take a mouthful of bread and butter, so Faith attempted to speak.  The words came slowly, for she was a little uncertain how to say them.  “I am sorry if Miss Brady does not like me, I am sure.  But you are wrong, Miss Willis.  I have not ‘cut her out’ with Mr. Denton.  On the contrary, I have never spoken to the young man but once, and that was yesterday, when he suggested that I write that petition.”

“But he sent you a package to-day,” said the girl, staring.  “He must be badly smitten to be sending presents in such a hurry.”

“It was only a box of candy,” said Faith, hastily.  “I gave it to one of the cash girls.  I don’t understand what made him send it.”

“You must be silly if you don’t,” said the girl, laughing harshly.

At just that instant Maggie Brady passed close by them, and Miss Willis seeing her, raised her voice a little.

“Why, he is in love with you, of course,” she said, with one eye on Maggie.  “If he wasn’t he wouldn’t be sending you boxes of candy.”

“Hush!” cried Faith.  “You are cruel!  How could you, Miss Willis!”

For answer the girl broke into peals of laughter.

“Oh, I just love Mag Brady—­that’s why I said it I Can’t you see for yourself how much I love her?”

CHAPTER XX.

Another talk with James Denton.

Poor Faith was driven to desperation now.  Here was a situation far beyond her wisdom.