cried Miss Blish , greeting Rose with a kiss , which was not very warmly returned , though Rose politely thanked her for coming , and bid Phebe roll up the easy chair . `` How nice to have a maid ! '' said Ariadne , as she settled herself with much commotion . `` Still , dear , you must be very lonely , and feel the need of a bosom friend . '' `` I have my cousins , '' began Rose , with dignity , for her visitor 's patronising manner ruffled her temper . `` Gracious , child ! you do n't make friends of those great boys , do you ? Mamma says she really does n't think it 's proper for you to be with them so much . '' `` They are like brothers , and my aunts do think it 's proper , '' replied Rose , rather sharply , for it struck her that this was none of Miss Blish 's business . `` I was merely going to say I should be glad to have you for my bosom friend , for Hatty Mason and I have had an awful quarrel , and do n't speak . She is too mean to live , so I gave her up . Just think , she never paid back one of the caramels I 've given her , and never invited me to her party . I could have forgiven the caramels , but to be left out in that rude way was more than I could bear , and I told her never to look at me again as long as she lived . '' `` You are very kind , but I do n't think I want a bosom friend , thank you , '' said Rose , as Ariadne stopped to bridle and shake her flaxen head over the delinquent Hatty Mason . Now , in her heart Miss Blish thought Rose `` a stuck-up puss , '' but the other girls wanted to know her and could n't , the old house was a charming place to visit , the lads were considered fine fellows , and the Campbells `` are one of our first families , '' mamma said . So Ariadne concealed her vexation at Rose 's coolness , and changed the subject as fast as possible . `` Studying French , I see ; who is your teacher ? '' she asked , flitting over the leaves of `` Paul and Virginia , '' that lay on the table . `` I do n't study it , for I read French as well as English , and uncle and I often speak it for hours . He talks like a native , and says I have a remarkably good accent . ''
Rose really could not help this small display of superiority , for XXXXX was one of her strong points , and she was vain of it , though she usually managed to hide this weakness .
Ariadne Campbells English French Mason Paul Virginia first hours puss