"
"Don't try to be cutting, Dolly, because you look homely when you
do, and it's a woman's business to be pretty, always. All I've got
to say is, you will be in a nice state of mind if you damage Bopp;
for every one likes him, and will be down upon you for a heartless
little wretch; and I shan't blame them, I promise you."
"I wish the town wouldn't put its fingers in other people's pies,
and you may tell it so, with my compliments; and all _I_ have to say
is, that you men have more liberty than you know what to do with,
and we women haven't enough; so it's perfectly fair that we should
show you the worth of the thing by taking it away now and then. I
shall do exactly as I please; dance, walk, ride, and flirt, whenever
and with whomever I see fit; and the whole town, with Mr. Dick Ward
at their head, can't stop me if I choose to go on. Now, then, what
next?" After which declaration of independence, Dolly folded her
arms, wheeled about and faced her brother, a spirited statuette of
Self Will, in a red hood and mittens.
Dick sternly asked,--
"Is that your firm decision, ma'am?"
"Yes."
"And you will not give up your nonsense?"
"No."
"You are quite sure you don't care for Bopp?"
"I could slap him with all my heart."
"Very good. I shall see that you don't get a chance."
"I wouldn't try a skirmish, for you'll get beaten, Dick."
"We'll prove that, ma'am."
"We will, sir."
And the belligerents loftily paced up the lawn, with their purpose
so well expressed by outward signs, that Mrs.
Pages:
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61