“I don’t want any supper,” said Evelyn.

“If you don’t eat any supper you cannot study this evening.”

“I must study,” said Evelyn with a feverish light in her eyes.

“You can’t unless you eat.”

“Well, I will drink some milk,” said Evelyn.  She was studying very hard.  She was very ambitious, both naturally and because of her feeling for Wollaston Lee.  It seemed to her that she should die if she did not stand well in her class.  Evelyn had received so little notice from Wollaston that she had made up her mind that he did not care for her, and the conviction was breaking her heart, but she said to herself that she would graduate with honors that she might have that much, that she must.

The graduating with honors would have been easy to the girl, for she had naturally a quick grasp of knowledge, but her failing health and her almost unconquerable languor made it hard for her to work as usual.  However, she persisted.  It became evident that she would stand first among the girls of her class, and only second to one boy, who had a large brain and little emotion, and was so rendered almost impregnable.  Ida sent Evelyn a graduating costume from Paris, and the girl brightened a little after she had tried it on.  She could not quite give up all hope of being loved when she saw herself in that fluffy white robe, and looked over her slender shoulder at her graceful train, and reflected how she would not only look pretty but acquit herself with credit.  She said to herself that if she were a man she should love herself.  There was about Evelyn an almost comical naivete and truthfulness.

Ida also sent Maria a gown for the graduating exercises.  Hers was a pale blue, very pretty, but not as pretty as Evelyn’s.  The night after the gowns came Maria was startled by a sudden rush into her room when she was almost asleep, and Evelyn nestling into her arms and sobbing out that she was sorry, she was sorry, but she could not help it.

“Can’t help what, darling?” said Maria.

“Can’t help being glad that my dress is so much prettier than yours,” wept Evelyn.  “I am sorry, sister, but I can’t help it, and I am so ashamed I had to come in and tell you.”

Maria laughed and kissed her.  “Sister is very glad yours is the prettiest,” she said.

“Oh, I am so sorry I am so selfish,” sobbed Evelyn.  Then she added, in a tiny whisper, “I know now he won’t ever think of me, but I can’t help being glad I shall look nice for him to see, anyway.”

Evelyn was asleep long before her sister.  Maria lay awake, with the little, frail body in her arms, realizing with horror how very frail and thin it was.  Evelyn was of the sort whom emotion can kill.  She was being consumed like a lamp which needed oil.  Love was for the girl not only a need but a condition of life.  Maria was realizing it.  At the same time she said to herself that possibly after school was over and Evelyn could rest she might regain her