“My papa said it was scan-dill-us; for some of the little boys got tipsy, and had to be tooked home. He wouldn’t let us have any wine; and gwandma said it was vewy impwoper for childwen to do so.”
“My mother says your mother’s coupé isn’t half so stylish as ours,” put in Alice.
“Yes it is, too. It’s all lined with gween silk, and that’s nicer than old wed cloth,” cried Maud, ruffling up like an insulted chicken.
“Well, my brother don’t wear a horrid old cap, and he’s got nice hair. I wouldn’t have a brother like Tom. He’s horrid rude, my sister says,” retorted Alice.
“He isn’t. Your brother is a pig.”
“You’re a fib!”
“So are you!”
Here, I regret to say, Miss Shaw slapped Miss Lovett, who promptly returned the compliment, and both began to cry.
Polly, who had paused to listen to the edifying chat, parted the belligerents, and finding the poor things tired, cross, and sleepy, yet unable to go home till sent for, proposed to play games. The young ladies consented, and “Puss in the corner” proved a peacemaker. Presently in came the boys; and being exiles from the German, gladly joined in the games, which soon were lively enough to wake the sleepiest. “Blind-man’s-buff” was in full swing when Mr. Shaw peeped in, and seeing Polly flying about with bandaged eyes, joined in the fun to puzzle her. He got caught directly; and great merriment was caused by Polly’s bewilderment, for she couldn’t guess who he was, till she felt the bald spot on his head.
This frolic put everyone in such spirits that Polly forgot her trouble, and the little girls kissed each other good-night as affectionately as if such things as imported frocks, coupés, and rival brothers didn’t exist.
“Well, Polly, do you like parties?” asked Fan, when the last guest was gone.
“Very much; but I don’t think it would be good for me to go to many,” answered Polly, slowly.
“Why not?”
“I shouldn’t enjoy them if I didn’t have a fine dress, and dance all the time, and be admired, and—all the rest of it.”
“I didn’t know you cared for such things,” cried Fanny, surprised.
“Neither did I till to-night; but I do; and as I can’t have ’em, it’s lucky I’m going home to-morrow.”
“Oh, dear! So you are! What shall I do without my ‘sweet P’, as Sydney calls you?” sighed Fanny, bearing Polly away to be cuddled.
Everyone echoed the exclamation next day; and many loving eyes followed the little figure in the drab frock as it went quietly about, doing for the last time the small services which would help to make its absence keenly felt. Polly was to go directly after an early dinner, and having packed her trunk, all but one tray, she was told to go and take a run while grandma finished. Polly suspected that some pleasant surprise was going to be put in; for Fan didn’t offer to go with her, Maud kept dodging about with something under her apron, and Tom had just whisked into his mother’s room in a mysterious manner. So Polly took the hint and went away, rejoicing in the thought of the unknown treasures she was to carry home.