"
Zoe ignored the speaker and set her face stiffly toward Harrington. "She
only _said_ that to _him."_
_Fanny._ "But, unfortunately, ears are not confined to the noble."
_Zoe._ "Nor tongues to the discreet."
Both these remarks were addressed pointedly to Harrington.
"Halloo!" said he, looking from one flaming girl to the other; "am I to
be a shuttlecock, and your discreet tongues the battledoors? What is up?"
"We don't speak," said the frank Zoe; "that is up."
"Why, what is the row?"'
"No matter" (stiffly).
"No great matter, I'll be bound. 'Toll, toll the bell.' Here goes one
more immortal friendship--quenched in eternal silence."
Both ladies bridled. Neither spoke.
"And dead silence, as ladies understand it, consists in speaking _at_ one
another instead of _to."_
No reply.
"That is well-bred taciturnity."
No answer.
"The dignified reserve that distinguishes an estrangement from a
squabble."
No reply.
"Well, I admire permanent sentiments, good or bad; constant resolves,
etc. Your friendship has not proved immortal; so, now let us see how long
you can hold spite--SIEVES!" Then he affected to start.
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