18 The Story of the Hamiltons.

the two Hamiltons and Clara Lee were nice
girls. "As for Grace," said she, "I don't
think there is a more plodding, industrious
girl here. I always admire her character,
there is something so upright and noble in it."
 "Well," replied Annie, "you seem to think
those three paragons ; for my part, I consider
Grace very stupid and dull, besides which, she
is always held up as a model, and everybody
knows models are not agreeable."
 Oh, Annie, I can't agree with you ; Grace
is so unassuming, no one need be offended if
she is held up for their imitation ; as for Edith,
she is so lovely and so affectionate! and then
the two sisters are both so fond of Clara-oh,
I do love those three!" And Kate's usually
quiet face glowed with animation. Finding
her companion in a not over-amiable mood,
she dropped the conversation and resumed
her book. Her thoughts seemed to wander,
for the book soon fell to her lap, and she
gazed at the fire, in a pleasant reverie, to judge
from her expression of smiling contentment.
Suddenly she rose, fetched her desk, and
rapidly wrote, directed, and sealed a note.
She had scarcely completed it when the
dinner-bell rang, but as she descended the
stairs she contrived to whisper to Grace