Our discourse was interupted by the object of it, who requested an opinion on the ties.  He ignored Jane entirely.

We went in, and I purchaced a handsome tie for father, considering it but right thus to show my apreciation of his giving me the Allowence.

It was seventy five cents, and I made out a check for the amount and took the tie with me.  We left Jane soon after, as she insisted on adressing Tommy as dear child, or “Mon enfant,” and strolled on together, oblivious to the World, by the World forgot.  Our conversation was largely about ourselves, Tommv maintaining that I gave an impression of fridgidity, and that all the College men considered me so.

“Better fridgidity,” I retorted, “than softness.  But I am sincere.  I stick to my friends through thick and thin.”

Here he observed that my Chin was romantic, but that my Ears were stingy, being small and close to my head.  This irratated me, although glad they are small.  So I bought him a gardenia to wear from a flour-seller, but as the flour-seller refused a check, he had to pay for it.

In exchange he gave me his Frat pin to wear.

“You know what that means, don’t you, Bab?” he said, in a low and thriling tone.  “It means, if you wear it, that you are my—­well, you’re my girl.”

Although thriled, I still retained my practacality.

“Not exclusively, Tom,” I said, in a firm tone.  “We are both young, and know little of Life.  Some time, but not as yet.”

He looked at me with a searching glanse.

“I’ll bet you have a couple of dozen Frat pins lying around, Bab,” he said savigely.  “You’re that sort.  All the fellows are sure to be crasy about you.  And I don’t intend to be an Also-ran.”

“Perhaps,” I observed, in my most dignafied maner.  “But no one has ever tried to bully me before.  I may be young, but the Other Sex have always treated me with respect.”

I then walked up the steps and into my home, leaving him on the pavment.  It was cruel, but I felt that it was best to start right.

But I was troubled and distrait during dinner, which consisted of mutton and custard, which have no appeal for me owing to having them to often at school.  For I had, although not telling an untruth, allowed Tom to think that I had a dozen or so Frat pins, although I had none at all.

Still, I reflected, why not?  Is it not the only way a woman can do when in conflict with the Other Sex, to meet Wile with Gile?  In other words, to use her intellagence against brute force?  I fear so.

Men do not expect truth from us, so why disapoint them?

During the salid mother inquired what I had done during the afternoon.

“I made a few purchaces,” I said.

“I hope you bought some stockings and underclothes,” she observed.  “Hannah cannot mend your chemises any more, and as for your——­”

“Mother!” I said, turning scarlet, for George—­who was the Butler, as Tanney had been found kissing Jane—­was at that moment bringing in the cheeze.