"
I looked at the girl, and a bright, hesitating smile woke in her face.
"Do you know, Rebecca," I said, "I don't choose my friends for their
mental qualifications--for what they know; I select them just as people
do horses--by their teeth. Let me see yours."
Rebecca laughed most musically, thus disclosing two brilliant rows of
ivories. I had noticed them before.
"You'll do!" I exclaimed, lightly. "I take you into my heart of hearts.
Now, what is your standard of choice? What charming characteristic do you
First require in a friend, Rebecca?"
"Oh!" said she, gasping a little and speaking very slowly;
"I--don't--know. I--don't--think--I've got any."
"Don't be afraid lest you shall guess something that I have not, my
dear," I said; "You can hardly go astray. Begin with modesty, if you
please, truly the chief of virtues."
Rebecca caught quickly the meaning in my tone, and answered with a low
ripple of laughter. When I urged her, she grew gravely embarrassed.
"Well," said she; "I don't think I should want anybody that I thought I
couldn't ever help them any, you know. That wouldn't ever need me, I
mean, and I know," she went on more hastily; "it seems funny to say that
to you, because it seems as though there wasn't anything that I could
ever do for you--because you--you seem--not to need anybody--but I didn't
know but some time--there might be something--I thought--maybe--some
time.
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