“A most excellent rule, Mrs. Raynor, and one that I always follow.  I never speak evil of my friends, for it always does more harm than good.  No one can say that I ever tried to injure another.”

“I hope Mrs. Comegys thought better of the matter, upon reflection,” said Mrs. Raynor.

“So do I. But I am afraid not.  Two or three little things occur to me now, that I have seen in my intercourse with her, which go to satisfy my mind that her moral perceptions are not the best in the world.  Mrs. Comegys is a pleasant friend, and much esteemed by every one.  It could do no good to spread this matter abroad, but harm.”

After repeating over and over again her injunction to Mrs. Raynor not to repeat a word of what she had told her, Mrs. Grimes bade this lady, upon whom she had called, good morning, and went on her way.  Ten minutes after, she was in the parlor of an acquaintance, named Mrs. Florence, entertaining her with the gossip she had picked up since their last meeting.  She had not been there long, before, lowering her voice, she said in a confidential way—­

“I was at Mrs. Comegys’ to-day, and saw something that amazed me beyond every thing.”

“Indeed!”

“Yes.  You will be astonished when you hear it.  Suppose you had purchased a dress and paid for a certain number of yards; and when the dress was sent home, you should find that the storekeeper had made a mistake and sent you three or four yards more than you had settled for.  What would you do?”

“Send it back, of course.”

“Of course, so say I. To act differently would not be honest.  Do you think so?”

“It would not be honest for me.”

“No, nor for any one.  Now, would you have believed it?  Mrs. Comegys not only thinks but acts differently.”

“You must be mistaken, certainly, Mrs. Grimes.”

“Seeing is believing, Mrs. Florence.”

“So it is said, but I could hardly believe my eyes against Mrs. Comegys’ integrity of character.  I think I ought to know her well, for we have been very intimate for years.”

“And I thought I knew her, too.  But it seems that I was mistaken.”

Mrs. Grimes then repeated the story of the lawn dress.

“Gracious me!  Can it be possible?” exclaimed Mrs. Florence.  “I can hardly credit it.”

“It occurred just as I tell you.  But Mrs. Florence, you musn’t tell it again for the world.  I have mentioned it to you in the strictest confidence.  But I need hardly say this to you, for I know how discreet you are.”

“I shall not mention it.”

“It could do no good.”

“None in the world.”

“Isn’t it surprising, that a woman who is so well off in the world as Mrs. Comegys, should stoop to a petty act like this?”

“It is, certainly.”

“Perhaps there is something wrong here,” and Mrs. Grimes placed her finger to her forehead and looked sober.