Page:Side talks with girls (1895).djvu/140

128 two girls, and affairs are discussed that if a third girl were present they would never dream of referring to.

I have been talking to you about the foolish and the wrong kind of a friend, but you must not suppose for a minute that there is not a sensible and a right friend. She can be as jolly and as full of fun as possible; you and she can read together, walk together, play on the same side in the out-door games and find much joy in each other's society. But this companion won't show a ridiculous jealousy because you happen to walk to-day with some other girl and to-morrow take tea with another one. No, on the contrary, she will be delighted to hear what a good time you have been having, and if she has been the one to have the good time she will tell you about it, and how she wished, earnestly and honestly, that you were along. She will never tell you of the affairs of her home, and be very certain that she will not write love-letters to you, or make you think yourself a much-abused young woman because you have some duties in life to perform. She will be a pleasant acquaintance, careful never to grow sufficiently familiar to give or accept any rudeness, and quite as careful not to listen or talk about anything that does not concern her. You