time for such things?” asked Kitty, busily cutting from a big sheet
the touching picture of a parent bird with a red head and a blue tail
offering what looked like a small boa constrictor to one of its
nestlings, a fat young squab with a green head, yellow body, and
no tail at all.
“I have plenty of time now I don’t go out so much, for a party uses
up two days generally one to prepare for it and one to get over it,
you know.?
“People think it is so odd of you to give up society all of a sudden.
They say you have ‘turned pious’ and it is owing to your peculiar
bringing-up. I always take your part and say it is a pity other girls
haven’t as sensible an education, for I don’t know one who is as
satisfactory on the whole as you are.?
“Much obliged. You may also tell people I gave up gaiety because
I value health more. But I haven’t forsworn everything of the kind,
Kit. I go to concerts and lectures, and all sorts of early things, and
have nice times at home, as you know. I like fun as well as ever,
but I’m getting on, you see, and must be preparing a little for the
serious part of life. One never knows when it may come,” said
Rose, thoughtfully as she pasted a squirrel upside down on the
pink cotton page before her.
“That reminds me of what I wanted to say. If you’ll believe me, my
dear, Steve has got that very idea into his head! Did you or Mac
put it there?” asked Kitty, industriously clashing her shears.
“No, I’ve given up lecturing the boys lately they are so big now
they don’t like it, and I fancy I’d got into a way that was rather
tiresome.?
“Well, then, he is ‘turning pious’ too. And what is very singular, I
like it. Now don’t smile I really do and I want to be getting ready
for the ‘serious part of life,’ as you call it. That is, I want to grow
better as fast as I can, for Steve says he isn’t half good enough for
me. Just think of that!?
Kitty looked so surprised and pleased and proud that Rose felt no
desire to laugh at her sudden fancy for sobriety but said in her
most sympathetic tone: “I’m very glad to hear it, for it shows that
he loves you in the right way.?
“Is there more than one way??
“Yes, I fancy so, because some people improve so much after they
fall in love, and others do not at all. Have you never observed
that??
“I never learned how to observe. Of course I know that some
matches turn out well and some don’t, but I never thought much
about it.?
“Well, I have, for I was rather interested in the subject lately and
had a talk with Aunt Jessie and Uncle about it.?
“Gracious! You don’t talk to them about such things, do you??
“Yes, indeed. I ask any questions I like, and always get a good
answer. It is such a nice way to learn, Kitty, for you don’t have to
pore over books, but as things come along you talk about them and
remember, and when they are spoken of afterward you understand
and are interested, though you don’t say a word,” explained Rose.
“It must be nice, but I haven’t anyone to do so for me. Papa is too
busy, and Mama always says when I ask question, ‘Don’t trouble
your head with such things, child,’ so I don’t. What did you learn
about matches turning out well? I’m interested in that, because I
want mine to be quite perfect in all respects.?
“After thinking it over, I came to the conclusion that Uncle was
right, and it is not always safe to marry a person just because you
love him,” began Rose, trying to enlighten Kitty without betraying
herself.
“Of course not if they haven’t money or are bad. But otherwise I
don’t see what more is needed,” said Kitty wonderingly.
“One should stop and see if it is a wise love, likely to help both