Anna Chapin Ray

“ And, moreover, these friends were not of a class to hold out eager hands to stranger Americans. The quaint little old city has a trick of refusing to open her social doors to foreign gold.
"Let her," he said tersely at length. "And yet, do you know, I am sorry for Day."
Mrs. Leslie threaded her needle. Then she looked up.
"I am glad to hear you say it, Ronald. Day is a good girl."
"And a bright one," Ronald added. "I wish she and Janet would take to each other."
"Give them time," his mother suggested. "Girls are slow to get acquainted, and they have only known each other for three weeks." ”

“ Leslie said then. "I don't mind it; but it is a bit hard on you and Janet, now that you have to count your pennies and your postage stamps, to be thrown in this close connection with a girl like Day who never counts the cost of anything."
Ronald shook his head.
"There are a few others," he suggested. "None of our friends are exactly frugal. It is only that they haven't the same trick of throwing their money at one." ”

“ Argyle's face, at rest, was a bit cold. It lighted now, however, as it never failed to do when her eyes rested upon Ronald Leslie's face.
"I always know that Day is safe, when she is in your hands," she said cordially. "Don't stay too late, Day, and don't take cold."
"I like that boy," she added to her husband, as they went on their way. "He is manly and well-bred, and abnormally handsome. Mrs. Leslie, too, isn't like the usual type of boarding-house keepers." ”

“ But Ronald rose and squared his shoulders.
"It is necessary, though, and a mighty good thing for us that they like the place and can afford to pay for it," he replied, as he crossed to the fire-place. "It comes high, this boarding with Quebec's elect. I only hope they appreciate the advantages they are getting for their money."
Mrs. Leslie laughed.
"I suspect they don't."
Ronald faced her sharply.
"Why?"
"Because Mrs. Argyle has asked me to serve her tea in her own room."
"Oh!" Ronald's cadence was a falling one. "So she needn't meet the friends of her landlady?" ”

“ Ronald laughed, as he never failed to do, when Janet took that tone.
"Come down off your high horse, before it balks and spills you," he admonished his sister. "We all of us know that Day isn't too polite to you. ”

“ That lasted for two years, and, since I came home, we have never been together much, nor seemed to be able to get at each other. I am fond of him; but I'm afraid of him. He doesn't seem to me like my own brother really, but more like a visitor, when he comes home. We aren't nearly as much related as you two are. ”