'
'I am sure she contradicts every word I say,' said Helen.
'That is not out of unkindness, I assure you,' said Anne, who
unfortunately could not deny that such was the fact. 'She only likes
an argument, which sharpens your wits, and does no harm, if both
sides are but good-humoured and cheerful. She will find you out in
time, and you will understand her better.'
'Oh! Lizzie is delightful when she does not contradict,' said Helen;
'she is cleverer than anyone I ever saw, even than Fanny Staunton,
and Papa says her patience and diligence with Horace were beyond all
praise; but I can never be clever enough for her to make me her
friend.'
'But you do not think people choose their friends only for their
cleverness?' said Anne.
'Why, no,' said Helen, 'I do not think they ought, but Lizzie does.
You would not be her friend if you were not clever.'
'Well,' said Anne, 'but try and convince her that you can be her
friend without being clever, if you will not allow that you are.'
'Oh!' said Helen, brightening up, 'if Lizzie would but make a friend
of me, how happy we should be! if she would but talk to me of her own
concerns, and listen to mine! But she never chooses to hear me speak
of Dykelands.
Pages:
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162