If it had not been for the fact that in all our foregatherings she was careful to sit as far from Felicity as possible , we might have been deceived . We had not passed a very pleasant week . Felicity and the Story Girl had not been `` speaking '' to each other , and consequently there had been something rotten in the state of Denmark . An air of restraint was over all our games and conversations . On the preceding Monday Felicity and the Story Girl had quarrelled over something . What the cause of the quarrel was I can not tell because I never knew . It remained a `` dead secret '' between the parties of the first and second part forever . But it was more bitter than the general run of their tiffs , and the consequences were apparent to all . They had not spoken to each other since . This was not because the rancour of either lasted so long . On the contrary it passed speedily away , not even one low descending sun going down on their wrath . But dignity remained to be considered . Neither would `` speak first , '' and each obstinately declared that she would not speak first , no , not in a hundred years . Neither argument , entreaty , nor expostulation had any effect on those two stubborn girls , nor yet the tears of sweet Cecily , who cried every night about it , and mingled in her pure little prayers fervent petitions that Felicity and the Story Girl might make up . `` I do n't know where you expect to go when you die , Felicity , '' she said tearfully , `` if you do n't forgive people . '' `` I have forgiven her , '' was Felicity 's answer , `` but I am not going to speak first for all that . '' `` It 's very wrong , and , more than that , it 's so uncomfortable , '' complained Cecily . `` It spoils everything . '' `` Were they ever like this before ? '' I asked Cecily , as we talked the matter over privately in Uncle Stephen 's Walk .
`` Never XXXXX so long , '' said Cecily .
because between for if like of on than that to