side had given way. Then hers came from her sleeve, too. So at last it was quite a little tragedy.
Sad it is that one forgets that one has eaten of the lotus; but thus it is with the lotus, and thus did Garland.
That night, in bed, Black-Eyes undertook some criticism of Garland. Her sister flared up in a way that was new and superb.
"Tha' 's lie! He 's the mos' bes' nize gent in the whole worl'." And she fell to sobbing.
"What is the matter? " asked the mother, who was kinder than Black-Eyes.
"I got that lone-some-ness," sobbed the girl, in answer.
"Poor little pink-face!" said the mother, touching her cheek. "Always must be touch by some one!"
"Me?" said Purple-Eyes, with a power and assurance which were startling. "I am glad I have that pink face!" She laughed.
"And I am glad I have not that brown face! Aha!"
The mother asked in alarm:
"Has the Eijinsan told you strange things?"
"The strangest and most beautiful things in all the world!" breathed Purple-Eyes.
